Upon joining a fraternity or sorority you'll meet a diverse group of people from varied backgrounds that may differ from your own. Membership within the Greek community allows you to get to know people you may not have otherwise met, and the Greek system is set up to promote the formation of close, enduring friendships. Your sorority sisters will be your cheerleaders when you succeed and your shoulders to cry on when you go through a tough time, and this type of familiar support system is the cornerstone of the Greek system.
One of the most compelling reasons to pledge a fraternity or sorority is the opportunity to network after graduation. Being connected to a fraternity or sorority can give you a head start when looking for a job. Not only will you have access to the connections of your group's brothers or sisters, but a fraternity or sorority membership immediately provides a connection with past members of your organization who may now be in a position to give you a job.
Sororities and fraternities host social events throughout the academic year in which members are expected to participate. Having an active social life is an important part of the overall college experience, and membership in a fraternity or sorority will ensure you won't spend evenings at college sitting alone in your dorm room; instead, you'll be meeting new people, honing your social skills and broadening your social sphere.
Most fraternities and sororities expect their members to engage in some sort of philanthropic efforts to benefit the surrounding communities. Sometimes this will involve one organization, but can also involve the entire Greek community at a particular college. According to Pennsylvania State University, members of fraternities and sororities make up the largest network of volunteers in the U.S., collectively contributing more than 10 million hours of volunteer service each year, at the time of publication.