As the Student Outreach Coordinator for Boston University’s Center for Career Development and Educational Resource Center, I have the privilege to work with an amazing group of student leaders through our Student Ambassador Program.
These students were selected from a competitive group of applicants because of their leadership potential. They are all active members of the BU community; involved with various student groups, community service programs, activism, and cultural exchanges.
Leadership is a term often discussed and a skill most coveted by employers. However, it is not easily defined and comes in many shapes and forms. In meeting with many fantastic applicants, I saw numerous common qualities and a variety of ways that students are leaders.
Among the Terriers who were involved on campus, the ones who stood out most didn’t necessarily hold a leadership role in their respective clubs or programs. Instead, it was those who communicated a passion for their work and conveyed a commitment and excitement for their activities.
I believe that being a leader is about finding those opportunities where the work you do brings you great joy and enthusiasm. For some, that might mean being president of student government. For others that might mean playing a more supportive role on any team. No single way to be a leader is greater than another, and all are better than no leadership experience whatsoever.
The ones who stood out [were] those who communicated a passion for their work and conveyed a commitment and excitement for their activities.
Leadership is simply about loving and owning what you do. When you find the right activity, that is when you will grow the most.
To make the most of your experience at Boston University, I encourage you to explore and pursue opportunities to learn about yourself and the world around you. So, get involved, and you’ll soon have your own stories to share with family, friends, and future employers.
Don’t know where to start? Check out our Self-Discovery workshop (check calendar), then make an appointment with a career counselor at the Center for Career Development. Find out how you can embark on the self-discovery process.
BU + Beyond 