My fellow Americans, as your president, I will … hold on … you do not need to be president of the United States to be a leader. Leadership is a quality many employers today are looking for in applicants because it is applicable in a number of situations and industries.
If you are currently in college and unsure on how to start developing key transferable skills you would need in your career; a good way to get started would be to join various groups and organizations which can help you reach such endeavors.
For example, imagine you are a sophomore and are interested in becoming a manager or enter the business field in some capacity. Working as a resident assistant for the residential halls would provide you an avenue to start cultivating skills that could be applicable to the field.
Although a resident assistant (RA) is not exactly a business setting, in your role as an RA, you have to be able to use effective problem solving skills, be adept at assessing situations, communicate, and build relationships with parents and students coming from a variety of backgrounds and with different personality types. This is similar to a manager or someone in the business setting who constantly needs to use problem solving skills when dealing with customer or organizational issues as well as being able to train and lead a staff that has different learning styles and triggers that motivate them in the work place.
Developing skills as a leader isn’t just limited to interpersonal skill sets but also hands-on work as a leader. For example, if you are a finance or accounting major but are only a freshman and not ready just yet to take on a part time job or internship, then maybe taking a leadership position within an organization can be valuable. If you are the treasurer for your organization, it would give you a chance to balance a budget and use spreadsheets to keep the group members’ activities organized, which could prove valuable down the road in your career.
You can also develop leadership skills by getting involved in your community. If you are a biology student interested in healthcare, then you must have noticed that service to others is a huge part of that industry. If you are to involve yourself in a mission trip or help plan community events, an employer or graduate medical program will see the passion you have for this field, making you a stronger candidate as a whole.
Leadership roles can deliver a lot of messages to employers, including your ability to handle the level of responsibility involved with a job or internship and what you value as an individual. Leadership roles can be a great marketing tool on your resume and can prove valuable as you try to transition into your career. Overall, leadership skills can be developed in a variety of capacities and will be a stepping stone for your future.
