We all go to college to learn. We study topics that interest us, possible career paths, and how to be successful within our major. However, there are many life skills that aren’t taught in class.

Navigating life as a young adult is not easy, so it’s important we learn as much as we can about ourselves while we’re sheltered in the safe confines of our university.

SheTribe U was created to fill the gap between college courses and real life. It’s a national organization that helps empower, educate, and inspire women to be the best version of themselves. With chapters at multiple universities, SheTribe U aims to establish a network of college-aged women that are motivated to learn important life skills.

Helena Haynes is a sophomore from State College and a founding member of SheTribe x Penn State. Haynes first learned about SheTribe from a Penn State alumna who currently serves as vice president of social media at SheTribe HQ. Haynes contacted her good friend and fellow student Bianca Alvarez, and the two began talking about forming a chapter at Penn State.

The pair spread their mission for SheTribe through word-of-mouth and began rounding up a group of impressive young women to form the executive board for the club. They created an Instagram account, and through the power of social media, they began to receive messages from other girls interested in joining.

“I think we were all motivated by the idea of creating an amazing community of motivated girls who are all trying to better themselves, both personally and professionally,” Haynes said. “Especially right now during the pandemic, I think it’s difficult for people to find friends and other like-minded individuals. Our chapter will allow girls to find their people while developing the hard and soft skills they need for life after college.”

Because SheTribe U is a national organization, each chapter is provided with a custom curriculum for weekly meetings. The topics discussed during the meetings will range from hard skills, like resume work and how to be a professional, to soft skills such as gaining confidence and learning to love yourself.

What makes SheTribe x Penn State different from other clubs on campus is that it doubles as a girl group and a learning environment.

“This club is really for women who just want a support group, a group of friends, a group of people to ask questions, a group to feel strong in their major or career choice, and at the end of the day, a safe space to grow,” said Caitlyn Garrity, social chair for SheTribe. “With SheTribe, we are a club for the dreamers and those who aspire to kill it in whatever career they find themselves in.”

The women of SheTribe x Penn State believe that the club will continue to attract young and motivated women on campus far into the future.

“I think powerful women will be drawn to something like SheTribe,” said Marissa Yackenchick, the organization’s marketing and public relations manager. “It is rare for an organization that is for powerful women to also emphasize supporting and helping one another in this competitive climate. Brilliant women will find this refreshing.”

SheTribe x Penn State is set to officially launch this February. Currently, meetings are to be held every Tuesday at about an hour long. Follow SheTribe x Penn State on Instagram @shetribe_pennstate and direct message the account with any questions. You can also check out SheTribe.com for instructions on how to sign up with the national organization.