Golden Key Honour Society Worth the Once off Fee?

LDaneD on 06/09/2017 - 09:38
Last edited 06/09/2017 - 13:55 by 1 other user

Hello OzB!

I recently received an email from my university on behalf of 'Golden Key Honour Society' which offers students within the top 15% of their course the opportunity to join their ranks for a once off fee of $100. As an OzB member I am obviously concerned if this is money well spent.

I had a quick look on the 'why join' page some of the reasons were as follows - Scholarships, Jobs & Internships, Members videos on how to improve 'x', Networking, Study abroad.

I am mostly interested in Job and Networking opportunities so I was just wondering if anyone has had any experience in joining this group and if so did/do you see it of any benefit?

Thanks!

Education & Work

Comments

  • QW3RTY on 06/09/2017 - 09:47
    +11

    http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1250452

    Seems like a great way to make money off the top 15% of students across universities.
    Have a read and decide for yourself.

    You should probably just join the most relevant association for your field and attend networking events through them. You'll make more meaningful and industry relevant connections that way.

    • DaneD on 06/09/2017 - 09:50

      Appreciated!

      Will have a read but just with a quick search already tend to agree as it seems very heavily focused on the American market.

  • [Deactivated] on 06/09/2017 - 09:50
    +6

    Sounds like a scam

  • mskeggs on 06/09/2017 - 09:59
    +15

    I've seen this on two people's resumes. Both times we had a laugh at how self important they must view themselves to pay money to be included. Definitely not a positive in many people's eyes in the local culture.

    • MITM on 06/09/2017 - 12:08
      +1

      Top 15% can't be that dumb.

      • DaneD on 06/09/2017 - 13:02

        Perhaps it is a poor reflection on my cohort rather than a positive reflection on me :P.

        • mskeggs on 06/09/2017 - 13:15
          -1

          They had this 25 years ago when I was at uni too. The only person I knew who went for it was somebody with very naive social skills/emotional intelligence.
          Good marks are very worthwhile, a gold key trying to big note oneself, not so much.

      • Scrooge McDuck on 06/09/2017 - 13:49
        +7

        Want to join the Platinum Key Honour Society for the top 5 %?

        It's only $300.

      • blackfrancis75 on 07/09/2017 - 09:04
        +1

        this has more to do with emotional insecurity than academic smarts

    • arcticmonkey on 06/09/2017 - 19:02

      My interviewer brought it up at my job as she qualified as well. I ended up getting the job. $100 is an absolute pittance to lose. A quick search on LinkedIn reveals that a lot of successful people have it listed.

      Anyone that laughs at you for it is insecure, was a poor/low achieving student or is not a person I'd like to work for.

    • equitygame on 07/02/2018 - 22:27

      <Mod: personal attack removed> You employing for bunnings?

      equitygame on 07/02/2018 - 22:27 (Collapsed - Offtopic. Show)
      • mskeggs on 07/02/2018 - 22:36

        Thanks champ.
        We want team members who can work well with a team. Puffed up buffoons who think paying $100 gives them prestige are giggled at.
        We hire people with top academic results who recognise that is part of the package, and putting a key on a resume would make them look silly.

        I understand there are other people who value this kind of fake achievement, and I presume they drive $80k mercedes and wear TAG watches. They aren't going to be good employees in the team I work in.

        • equitygame on 07/02/2018 - 23:09

          It's a networking group… Pull out the pitchforks for the networker.
          (I've worked with some clueless hiring managers in my time. But your ignorance really hurts.)

        • mskeggs on 08/02/2018 - 20:41

          @kostanza:
          If it is a networking group, why put it on your resume? Do you put that you are a member of the local gym or that you purchased an Entertainment Book vouchers.

  • tre180 on 06/09/2017 - 12:09

    Just be wary, I hear the initiation ceremonies for these societies can get a little weird. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piggate

  • [Deactivated] on 06/09/2017 - 12:27
    +1

    I paid up and joined 13 years ago, just ended up being another piece of paper mum and dad framed and have in their living room.

  • The Wololo Wombat on 06/09/2017 - 12:44
    +2

    I decided not to join - I just put on my resume 'Golden Key Honour Society Invitee'.

    I get the kudos, but without the fee! Networking is probably worth it though.

  • ATD on 06/09/2017 - 13:11

    Yeah have to agree with other sentiments, I received the same, decided to join for the hell of it (definitely didn't cost $100 back then), received a nice little certificate that is still siting in the original envelope and that's the last I've had anything to do with it.

    Last time I did a resume which was some time ago, I may have included it in the membership section along with the rest I have. I certainly don't give it much weight on anything, more a talking point should it come up in discussion, but I wouldn't bring it up. I would highlight the point of receiving first class honours over GK.

  • fruit on 06/09/2017 - 14:07

    Oh man, I'm still laughing as I type this comment.

  • garetz on 06/09/2017 - 14:23

    This is targeted at people who have book smarts, but arent financially literate.

  • Halo375 on 06/09/2017 - 14:27
    +4

    Reminds me of Dilbert - http://dilbert.com/strip/2001-04-06

  • cosmogirlsz on 07/09/2017 - 07:40

    I paid for it in my undergraduate, never went to any of the events and can't say it helped in any way. Currently working at a Big4 and they don't care much for it if you're looking at grad jobs - this status would be pretty much reflected in your average grade anyway.
    If I get offered this in my post-graduate course, I will not be falling for the scam again.

    • OldSchoolHarry on 02/10/2017 - 23:30
      +1

      never went to any of the events and

      therefore

      can't say it helped in any way

      &

      If I get offered this in my post-graduate course

      it is a lifetime membership

      • cosmogirlsz on 07/10/2017 - 16:48

        I think it's helpful to add that I did not attend the events as they did not sound beneficial/professional in any way (e.g. Facebook event for breakfast with 2 people attending), could be that it was just my Chapter wasn't the most exciting/proactive.

        • OldSchoolHarry on 07/10/2017 - 17:27

          Yeah, fair enough. It's true that a lot of it depends on the chapter too. Our chapter usually has a better online presence and attendance rate.

  • Mr Asobi on 07/09/2017 - 08:37

    I didn't have to pay for it 20 years ago. I wouldn't have paid for it though. I get an email every three months. Never been to any of their sessions. Haven't used their services. Nobody has ever asked me about them.

    • PVA on 07/10/2017 - 17:01

      I'm the same, I never had to pay. ( late 90s)

  • MasterNoob on 07/09/2017 - 09:07

    I say use your $100 on something more valuable - alcohol at your uni bar and improving your social skills in the process.

  • confetti01 on 07/09/2017 - 10:36
    +1

    I paid for it. I don't attend events, don't get anything in return, and it wasn't relevant for getting into my field. You pay $100 to get a certificate and to boost your ego, haha!!

  • OldSchoolHarry on 02/10/2017 - 23:10

    I joined GK a few years ago. I certainly got a lot more than my $100 back (in monitory monetary value as well as experiences). Depending on your uni chapter, there are some exciting events being held all year round that you can be a part of. I know a few students who have received scholarships of $1k+ (one student from our uni even got $10k USD). Uni chapters often (partially) sponsor travel to annual GK conferences held in Australia and the US. This alone provides a lot of networking opportunities with other like-minded students.

    Just putting it on a resume will probably not help you unless you are involved in activities and events. It certainly has helped me (may or may not be the case for you) during a few interviews where I was asked questions about teamwork, leadership, academics etc. I used my GK experiences (which I have plenty of) as examples.

    Don't forget that we, the students, also put a $40k degree on our resumes but not everyone gets their money's worth.

    Having said all that, I would like to clarify that these claims are based on my personal observations and experiences. What value someone else gets from GK is completely dependent on how much effort he/she/other puts in. GK provides some great opportunities for personal and professional development but it is up to you to make this membership worth your time and money.

    If anyone has any questions, AMA.

    • Magus on 11/02/2018 - 13:32

      So you are saying you get more out of it the more you put in! Fancy that!

      One kid I know joined. Scholarships and cadetships open only to gold key members - a way of culling the entrants to only the high achievers.
      He go both. PT work while at uni, that counted as a subject. And 5k/pa if he maintained his grades. (but he fell below 6)

      • OldSchoolHarry on 12/02/2018 - 22:04

        The more effort you put in the better reward you get. Obviously the scholarships are open to all Golden Key members. If someone joins and does nothing more then obviously they're not going to get anything.

        I don't think I fully understood your points.

        • Magus on 15/02/2018 - 14:44
          +1

          The kid ended up getting 15K in scholarshps, cretit for two subjects (saving 6K+ in HECS) and a part time job with valid experience. Not bad for $100

        • OldSchoolHarry on 15/02/2018 - 23:21

          @Magus: that kid's done really well.

  • sandman87 on 10/10/2017 - 09:45

    Don't bother. True recognition of achievement and academic ability will be recognised by your university (e.g. Deans Merit Awards, etc) and be printed on your transcript at graduation. Plus it won't cost you extra money. I would just be satisfied that you worked hard and got good marks. Well done :)

  • [Deactivated] on 11/02/2018 - 15:43
    +1

    In my opinion it is a worthless piece of paper.

    I didn't even use it; maybe I should have put it on my curriculum vitae, but it is so low key it isn't worthwhile mentioning. Recruiters look at your marks so the Golden Key membership is useless.

    It is up there with the pointless stuff I did including, the Ted Fellows Program. That is even more of a scam since you work for free and they get paid to host the conference. People attending the conference pay to see you do the talk for free…

    At least with technology related conferences you get paid and everyone benefits.

    Don't get suckered in. Those who say it is worth it, probably have the skills to do without it. Literally the positive self feedback loop.

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