Phi Kappa Phi? worth it as a social worker??

[rei]

so, i got an invitation to join this community... they describe themselves as, "the nation’s oldest, most selective, and most prestigious all-discipline honor society." (U.S.)

there are some perks, most don't apply to the stage i'm at. there is a special job database for members but i looked and it's mostly big corps.

i am debating whether to accept the offer. it involves paying a little bit of money. it would obviously look good, it's not a scam, but i'm going to be in social work. i feel like the heart is more important than the mind when it comes to this field. and i rarely actually need to prove my intelligence in some way, it just happens. if anything, sometimes folks think i am too smart.

i am just not sure joining an intellectually-based honor society is helpful since i'm going into a compassionate, emotion-based profession.

someone i spoke to said, basically, anything you can put on your resume that sets you apart will help. i was concerned that having this on my resume may make it look like i'm more about my brain than my heart... and that's not needed in social work.

the deadline to join is tomorrow so i figured i would get some opinions. should i join, even though it may cause some folks to think i am more about my intellect than my heart? or is that not likely to happen? would it be valuable on a resume even in a profession like social work?

thanks for your ideas.

[rei]

i decided to join. probably won't lead to people thinking i am all head and no heart but if that seems to happen i can take it off my resume.

and i suppose many supervisors might see it as evidence for being a fast learner, which i am.

it was an honor to get the invitation but it's kinda messed up too because i have, like, not been trying at all in my classes. it has been way, way too easy to get As. i think that speaks less to my actual intelligence and more to the standards they have to ensure there will be enough social workers to meet the area need.

and i have trouble even expressing how this has been way too easy... most people think i'm bragging. the experience of not being challenged enough has actually been quite difficult though. oh well, almost done.

[Asmoday]

Good move, Rei.

If an honor group requires nothing more than a nominal fee, it never hurts to join. It does look good on the resume, and these things pay off an unexpected times, in unexpected ways. And, there is always the principal that you've earned it.

And, you never know when someone you're interviewing with will be a member of the same society, no matter what the industry. Makes you more "like them", in their eyes, and that commonality will make them want to bring you closer to them, i.e., hire you.

[rei]

Thanks, Asmoday. You raised some points I hadn't thought of, I see even more how it was a helpful choice to make.