Bossypants: College Edition by Abby

Bossypants: College Edition by Abby - March 2015 Scholarship Essay

Contrary to popular belief, the word “leadership” is not synonymous with the word “bossy”. Leadership extends beyond simply taking charge and managing a group; it is a necessary skill in a college environment to learn initiative, responsibility, and collaboration. Subsequently, employers always actively seek graduates who showed leadership throughout their college careers. Honing effective leadership skills in college is most definitely the key to success in the real world.

When reminiscing about high school, seasoned college students always seem to say the same thing: “The professors at this college are not here to baby you, like in high school. If you need help, you need to take the initiative to get it.” In other words, students can control their academic success, whether they decide to or not. A student who shows leadership would approach their teacher during office hours to seek help, not only admitting that they are struggling, but also going beyond what is necessary in order to do their best. Great leaders can often be defined by their eagerness for learning opportunities. This extends to beyond the classroom, as well. That same student who steps out of her comfort zone to join extra-curricular activities while in college will also be the one who actively seeks job opportunities in the future, a vital skill for graduates.

Also necessary in the success of a college student—responsibility. There are the small things like waking up on time, going to class, and finishing homework. Then there are the bigger things like managing time properly, showing integrity in assignments, and respecting other’s ideas. Students must take accountability for these things. Making mistakes is a crucial part of the college experience, but making excuses will never lead to a proper learning curve. Taking responsibility is the answer. In doing so, they are (either knowingly or unknowingly) demonstrating a fundamental skill of being a leader that students must learn in college.

All students hate them; the groans are clearly audible when the teacher says “Group project!” Why does everyone dislike the opportunity for collaboration and teamwork? Because, more often than not, students are unable to show effective leadership skills within these groups, therefore driving the team to failure. The most common mistake is that students associate leaders with dictators and tyrants, so they refuse to take charge, preferring to take a back seat and wait for their delegated task. In college, it is necessary to correct this misconception and learn proper leadership styles before facing jobs that thrive on collaboration. Even when not in team projects, simply answering a question in a class setting can be considered showing leadership within a group. Once students learn to work well in this type of environment, there are abundant opportunities both in college and after graduation.

The ultimate goal for all college students is to graduate with the ability to pursue a career. While it is common knowledge that a degree will put you on the proper track to that goal, employers look for more than a slip of paper to show competency. There is an infinite list of skills they search for, but arguably the most important is leadership. It proves that the candidate has the ability to actively seek opportunities, take accountability for their actions, and work well in a group setting. These skills will not only define a student’s success during college, but more importantly, throughout life.