Is Leadership Important in College? by Cassidy

Is Leadership Important in College? by Cassidy - March 2015 Scholarship Essay

While in college, student leadership is arguably one of the most important and beneficial extracurricular opportunities a student can be involved in. Although there are zero academic credits gained, and perhaps no real athletic skills learned, as with the typical extracurricular activities on campus, the experience alone, and the intelligence gained that coincides with a position of leadership can be useful for a lifetime.

College is a time for many young adults to start fresh, meet new people, and immerse themselves in new experiences daily. These exposures to unfamiliar situations that each college student will experience are what eventually shape them into who they are as a person. This is why student leadership opportunities are of the upmost importance. Albert Einstein, one of the most world renowned scientists, and the man most commonly known for the discovery of the Theory of Relativity once stated, “The only source of knowledge is experience.” This idea confirms that the only real way to gain insight, is to have hands on experience, and truly submerge oneself into the education set before them. This is true with leadership skills as well. While in college, the opportunities to lead are boundless, and the experience is waiting to be seized. The success later on in life can only be reassured to take place if students prepare themselves early in life, and college is a perfect time to accomplish this goal.

While in a position of leadership, a college student has received the opportunity to gain skills that can be useful in bettering the student body, as well as the campus as a whole. As a leader one learns many skillsets like problem solving, decision making, teamwork, and communication. These techniques will be useful in the professional world, no matter what job one decides to take. Having knowledge and experience with situations that require these skills will further the student’s success not only in the future, but while being a student in college as well.

Having experience with leadership while only being a college student is not only a step in the right direction, but also an opportunity to seek success at an early age. The skills that are gained while holding a leadership position are equally as important and assist in favorable outcomes for one’s future, and can be useful for a lifetime.