Involvement in college leadership organizations can improve your life.
Taking on a leadership roles may not only help prepare you for future job opportunities, but can also teach you good leadership skills such as how to work collaboratively and motivate others. Examples of leadership opportunities may be available in student governance, tutoring, peer mentoring and acting as a student ambassador, among others.
Back in my country, South Africa, when I got to university, I joined the student youth forum, became a secretary of the House Committee for the department of Law and obtained a position as a student residence mentor. I later become a student representative, and I am currently an Opinion Editor at the Communique and a beneficiary of a prestigious scholarship program sponsored by the US Department of State.
By engaging in each of these leadership positions, I met different people – some who have taught me things I did not know. I’ve seen and experienced things I have never thought I would see or experience, but, ultimately, all of these positions have made me the great person I am today.
It is important for students to experience leadership opportunities during their schooling, to learn the art of building relationships within teams, defining identities and achieving tasks effectively. For Kirkwood Community College students, it is even more advantageous as they have a large group of international students. This is a great opportunity for students who may have never traveled outside the country to join organizations and meet new people that expand your horizons and perspectives. Interacting with other cultures may correct any misconceptions you might have about certain parts of the world or the practices of other groups of people.
Here are some benefits of accepting a club leadership role in college:
It enriches your life as a student. Being part of a leadership team helps you gain knowledge, communication and problem-solving skills, group development and management techniques and presentation and public speaking abilities. You will feel the change in yourself.
You’ll grow faster than you think. You will undoubtedly learn new skills. In a diverse group, you will experience personal growth, and you will discover your passion, skills and experiment with areas of expertise.
It provides you with a great opportunity to network. Leadership roles can be an amazing platform to meet potential employers. You will be able to participate in all of the networking events, and these connections will be invaluable for you in the near future.
With that being said, getting yourself involved in leadership organizations in college opens a whole new world of possibilities. Take it from me, I never thought I would travel across the world fully sponsored, but because of my leadership involvement, this became my reality.
Categories: Editorials, Opinion
