Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society of two-year colleges. I could go on about the benefits I've gained from being a member, but why take just one person's word?
I decided to ask other Phi Theta Kappans for their favorite membership benefits — and let me tell you, if the responses don't make you want to become involved in Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), I don't know what will.
Here are the top 19 PTK membership benefits according to PTK members themselves!
Everyone is welcome
Alexis Kornacki
"It's a breath of fresh air — Quirky is our right of passage." — Dante Flewelling
"A feeling of belonging. The welcome is beautiful and honest!" — Dante Flewelling
"[The] sense of community" — Tamara Miles
Fellowship
Dr. Mitch Stimers
"I joined for the fellowship of successful friends and advisors — this is my motivation." — Serena Clarkson
Scholarships
Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society
"The abundance of scholarships." — Zachary Stites
"As a parent, the scholarships were fantastic!" — Norman and Suzanna Session
"Rewards for hard work." — Kristen Crane
"Scholarships are opportunities that have opened limitless doors for me to access education." — Héber Bibang
Resume enhancement
"You get skills from 5-star Competitive Edge to help you in life as well as in school." — Breanna Hobbick
Service
Evea Morrow
"Leadership and community service opportunities are by far the most rewarding parts of being in PTK." — Sarah Elizabeth Vargas
Opportunity
Dr. Mitch Stimers
"Opportunity is one of the greatest benefits Phi Theta Kappa provides for its members." — Jason Hanson
"It's a great opportunity for people to join and be able to experience the opportunities available when joining PTK." — Breanna Hobbick
"New opportunities that can come towards one's way that are unimaginable." — Peggy Wunderlich
Support
Tammy Johnson Fuentez
"The people who you meet throughout your time in PTK become family and we support each other." — Breanna Hobbick
"[There's] strength of combined talents." — Tamara Miles
New adventures
Chey Huston-McCrea
"With PTK you are able to broaden your knowledge and experience new adventures." — Breanna Hobbick
Friends
Alexis Kornacki
"Everyone who is in it wants to strive for success and make a difference." — Zachary Stites
"I'd definitely say the friendships formed and connections made. About two weeks ago I was laid off from my job that I've worked four years at because they are temporarily out of business. In that time, my PTK advisor helped spread my name around campus and she actively helped me look for a new job. If that's not friendship, then what is?" — Kaitlyn Drollinger
"[One of] the great rewards I have enjoyed from PTK is the diverse friendship community one makes." — Héber Bibang
Family
JaelAnn Hoover
"The family you create when you join." — Zachary Stites
"Inheriting an extended family who supports one another to succeed." — Peggy Wunderlich
"The people who you meet throughout your time in PTK become family and we support each other." — Breanna Hobbick
"The bond with my fellow Phi Theta Kappans forms a family." — Nicole Day
Leadership
Tammy Johnson Fuentez
"For me, the opportunity to serve as an officer on different levels is what makes PTK stand out. While the society needs officers at regional and international levels, it also needs the individual chapters to be successful to stay strong.
"By serving as a chapter officer, I was able to serve my chapter and feel like a welcomed member of the family even though I only serve on the local level." — Jared Homishak
Networking
Tammy Johnson Fuentez
"Networking opportunities." — Peggy Wunderlich
"Social connectivity of like-minded people." — Dante Flewelling
"I feel like PTK, in a sense, has to do with networking." — Jacob Head
Travel
Rebekah Morris
"Don't forget about traveling opportunities: visiting new places or places you haven't seen in years is amazing!" — Jared Homishak
Discounts
Caitlin Haddan
"My Bank of America debit and credit card discounts on purchases and cash back on purchases like Starbucks. They also donate 1% of your purchase back to PTK!" — Lesa Gibbs McCanick
Check out this page for other discounts that PTK members receive!
Advisors
Tammy Johnson Fuentez
"[One of] the great rewards I have enjoyed from PTK are our supportive advisors." — Héber Bibang
Self-discovery
Amanda Karpinski
"PTK is a platform that helps you discover what's inside of you. The process it takes to get to this goal shapes you to become a better and a positive individual." — OB Demian
Honesty
Evea Morrow
"Just to be a more transparent world that is seeking more truth from all people. That is what a good civic organization does." — Mike Ceranic
Respect
Lynn Tincher-Ladner
"There's a lot of love and respect for one another in this organization." — Nicole Day
The experience as a whole
Alpha Sigma Zeta Chapter
"I would say the experience as a whole. I made new friends, traveled to new places and learned how to be a leader. I may not have applied for as many scholarships as others would, but I've learned a lot and still am." — Jacob Head
Even if you don't meet the GPA requirements or aren't a college student, you can still become involved in PTK. Find a chapter near you and ask how you can become involved!
Note: responses have been edited for length/clarity.