Have you always wanted a career in management? Do you wish to run a business, spearhead strategy, or oversee other staff? Well, with these kinds of careers, leadership experience is a must. Whether you need to hone your skills or build your resume, gaining leadership experience has incredible benefits.
It can be daunting, though, as students often struggle with the challenge of taking the first step. Issues like time constraints, not knowing where to start, and feelings of overwhelm can hold people back from leadership opportunities in school.
Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Below, we’ll unpack seven easy ways to get leadership experience in college. Let’s dive in!
The benefits of leadership experience
What are the benefits of leadership experience? Well, learning how to be a leader is beyond beneficial in any environment, but here are some key advantages you may not have considered:
Personal growth
Leadership roles are a brilliant way to not only incite professional growth but in your personal life as well. Taking on the leadership challenge pushes you to step out of your comfort zone. Successful leadership doesn’t just build confidence. The skills you will take from this experience can easily translate into your personal life, allowing you to persevere when times get tough.
Professional advantages
As mentioned earlier, gaining leadership experience in college offers plenty of professional benefits. Taking part as a leader can help you significantly improve communication and strategic thinking skills. These skills are great ways to stand out to employers in a sea of applicants.
Plus, leadership roles provide networking opportunities, as universities often host career fairs and leadership programs, allowing you to meet like-minded individuals and expand your learning opportunities.
Academic impact
Leadership experience can also enhance your academic performance. Participating in school leadership roles doesn’t just prepare you with the skills you’ll need in the workforce. Many scholarships and academic honors programs look for students who have leadership experience, too.
Have your sights set on a specific leadership career? Explore Goodwin’s career-focused degree programs, designed to give you the skills employers are seeking today.
7 ways to gain leadership experience
Sure, it’s great to have leadership experience, but where can you find it? Let’s dive into seven practical ways to gain leadership experience in college.
1. Campus organizations
How do you get leadership experience in college? Get involved in campus organizations like student government, academic clubs, or honor societies. These roles allow you to influence campus policies and advocate for students’ needs. Starting small with roles like treasurer, assistant, secretary, or president, these responsibilities develop your skills in organizing and leading peers.
2. Volunteer opportunities
Can’t find much on campus? Volunteering opens doors to many leadership possibilities. From community projects to larger organization aid, volunteering is arguably the easiest way to learn teamwork experience as a leader. Leading community service projects involves collaboration with local organizations and fellow students. This cooperation with multiple groups not only sharpens your leadership skills, but builds a sense of responsibility.
3. Part-time jobs and internships
Part-time jobs and internships are great ways to start gaining leadership experience. Look for roles that offer opportunities to manage or supervise others like team leader or management positions. You can quickly learn the ups and downs of leadership in the real world. While a daunting option, once you commit it’s an invaluable experience.
Similarly, internships are also great ways to apply your growing skills in your field. You can learn how to better use your skills from peers and mentors, ask questions, and all-in-all learn how to be the best leader you can be.
4. Academic projects
Engaging in academic projects can also serve as a platform for leadership development. Taking charge of your group projects can bring together a team and ensure assignments are done. The last thing you want is no one doing their part. While an effective way of leadership experience in college, it has the added benefit of keeping you on top of your assignments.
5. Leadership programs
One of the most straightforward ways to build leadership experience is through leadership programs. Many institutions provide formal development programs that often include workshops and mentorship opportunities. These programs are built specifically to improve your leadership skills.
What’s even better is that attending external workshops and seminars focused on leadership will connect you with like-minded peers and broaden your network. Leadership doesn’t stop at leading. It begins with connection.
6. Competitions and events
Events present great opportunities to fine-tune your leadership skills in public. By planning and executing campus events or competitions, you take on responsibilities that require managing logistics and team collaboration. One of the most common responsibilities in any leadership position, putting together public events is a very effective way to challenge your skills as a leader.
7. Mentoring and coaching
Lastly, mentoring and coaching offer opportunities for personal growth and leadership development. By mentoring younger students or peers, you can guide them through academic or personal challenges, which enhances your interpersonal skills and reinforces your leadership capabilities.
Examples of leadership experience you might already have
Many students may not realize that they already possess valuable leadership experience. Recognizing these past roles can empower students to leverage them effectively:
- Workplace roles. If you’ve held supervisory positions, managed teams, or led projects in your job, these experiences can be significant assets in how to build leadership experience.
- School roles. Positions like team captain, class president, or club officer provide concrete examples of leadership that can be highlighted on resumes or applications.
- Volunteer experience. Coordinating events or leading teams in volunteer settings showcases your ability to manage responsibilities and inspire others.
How leadership experience applies at Goodwin University
Goodwin University recognizes the importance of leadership experience through its experiential credit policy. Students can earn experiential credit by demonstrating their leadership roles and achievements through various avenues:
- Military training/experience. Experience gained through military service can be credited towards academic achievements. Military service is a great way to build leadership experience.
- Credit by exam. Students can earn credit by passing exams that assess their knowledge and skills in specific areas.
- Portfolio review. Submitting a portfolio that outlines previous experiences and learning can lead to academic credit. This can be a great way to highlight how you gained leadership experience in college.
- Licenses/certifications. Professional licenses or certifications obtained outside of college can be considered for credit.
- Non-collegiate training. Training received through workshops, seminars, or industry certifications may also qualify for credit.
This policy provides an excellent opportunity for students to translate their leadership experiences into academic credit, enhancing their educational journey.
Becoming a leader
Students are encouraged to actively seek and leverage leadership opportunities on campus. By having this experience in your skillset, employers will immediately zero in on your capabilities, singling you out from the masses of applicants. Take advantage of the numerous opportunities you can find and make leadership one of your pivotal skills.