What I Learned as a Student Leader in College that Helped Me to Build Confidence as a Leader in the Workplace

There is a lot of talk about leadership in the professional world. Leadership sets direction and performance of a team or organization – to the advancement or demise thereof. But how does one become a leader? Are leaders made? Or are they born?

I think it’s a little bit of both.

The first time I remember being a leader was when I was selected to be Safety Patrol in elementary school. I had to make sure people weren’t running around school or otherwise causing mischief (Yes, I was one of those kids). There were quite a bit of other leadership roles I acquired throughout the years, such as class secretary in the fifth grade, lead during class projects, or President of the Spanish Club in Honor Society as a junior in high school. I had what most people might identify as leadership qualities: knowledge, a deep sense of responsibility, and a proclivity to express my thoughts clearly and articulately. I was in some respects what some people would call “born to be a leader”.

What’s interesting is that I didn’t want to be a leader. I just did what people asked me to do. I wanted to be helpful and did not want to let people down. I did not see myself as a leader, because I did not feel comfortable in being popular or the center of attention. I did not feel confident in my ability to persuade or unite people for a cause. I went well into my early adulthood assuming a variety of leadership roles without ever accepting it as a part of my identity. Despite flying under the leadership radar for half of my college career, an acquaintance suggested I apply to become an Orientation Leader. True to form, I was reluctant, but I applied anyway. I was accepted.

Everything changed.

Taking initiative or other leadership skills in one of the top characteristics desired by employers of recent graduates. Our society moves fast, and there is little time in many office settings to train entry level professionals. A preliminary onboarding process will teach you the policy and standard processes of your position, but ultimately technical and soft skills will be screened for when reviewing your resume and cover letter, and further assessed in the interview process. College is the opportunity to build these skills in the most strategic way, often in the most supportive environment you may experience in your career. Though initially you may think to build such skills through internships or part-time jobs, student leader roles in offices such as Admissions, Diversity & Inclusion, Orientation, Housing & Residence Life, and Career Services are great opportunities to hone the professional skills that will set you apart from your competitors for years to come.

Becoming a student leader did that for me and much more. Not only did it teach me that I was a leader, but it taught me why. I was completely bamboozled about what others saw in my potential before this, and quite honestly, even a little bit annoyed that people would want me to be in charge all of the time. I wrestled with whether to apply as an Orientation Leader, because I didn’t see the fit with how I would be helpful or whether it aligned with my career goals. Ultimately, I decided to do it as a way to make more money and get to know people on campus. However, this opportunity would be much more than a job; it would shape my character and even change my career trajectory. When I look at my journey to becoming a professional, the following things I experienced as a student leader helped me build confidence as a leader:

Effective Communication

Transitioning new students to the university in Orientation not only taught me how to network, but part of my role was to teach others how to do so. I also learned to discuss sensitive topics with students and parents and express my concerns. Additionally, I crafted the fine art of professional writing as well as active listening.

Talents, Skills, and Gifts

I learned my talents for tasks that required creativity. Designing promo materials for family orientation sparked a love for graphic design. I developed program implementation skills, making sure events ran in smooth, organized manner and learned a gift to see all perspectives of a situation.

Professional Development

I was first introduced to the Myers Briggs Inventory during my training as a student leader, which taught me how I work and relate with people. I also learned about what leadership meant through various principles, such as the Leadership Challenge and The Fish Bowl. I also went to my first conference. I was required to create a professional portfolio, including writing a resume at the end of my experience. This helped me learn how to communicate my skills and experiences to other employers.

Accountability

Being a leader often calls for doing things you don’t like. There were pieces of my role and a particular position I did not like, and I stuck through to my responsibility anyway. I missed staff meetings for what I thought were legitimate reasons, however, my supervisor emphasized my responsibilities and explained that I would be terminated if I didn’t get my act together. I made other mistakes along the way, and it strengthened my sense of accountability for my actions. I was bothered or upset by certain things, but I also learned to be accountable to my emotions and how I handled them.

Building Relationships

The student leader roles were the first time I had to work with others closely on a long term basis. I learned the pains and joys of working with a team – the importance of surrounding yourself with like-minded people, and what you can accomplish by relying on others; yet, interacting with others inevitably leads to misunderstanding and disagreements, and I learned to manage conflict. I also learned different perspectives, values, and interests of individuals in a group, and accepting people for who they are.

Becoming a student leader in the Office of Orientation and Family Programs and Services helped to make me into a leader. I also became a Resident Adviser in the Office of Housing and Residence Life the upcoming fall. This experience catapulted my abilities even further. While I did not become the best at these skills in the two years I was a student leader, it built awareness of my strengths and areas for growth.

Now, 15 years later, I have countless experiences in current and past jobs that were successful based on skills initially introduced to me as a student leader. When I stay calm in stressful situations, integrate ideas from what I read into my work, communicate expectations in a disagreement, or put my introversion aside to incorporate engaging activities into a presentation, program, or project, these are all skills I learned as an Orientation Leader, Resident Adviser, or Family Program Coordinator in college.  As a result, the student leader experience has set me apart as a young professional that is confident in my ability to take initiative and influence others in the workplace. Though I may not immediately rush to take the spotlight, I know that once I do so that I will inspire new ideas and create meaningful change. If you’re a college student (or you know of one) that has a lot of potential, but not yet confident in your abilities, then I encourage you to look for opportunities to become a student leader. The spring semester is the recruiting season for many of the positions, so be on the lookout in January/February for the applications. Whether you were born to be a leader or made into one by circumstance or opportunity, you’re a leader just the same, and that’s what the world is looking for.