Leaders in Education by Haley

Leaders in Education by Haley - March 2015 Scholarship Essay

Leadership skills are essential for success in secondary education for many reasons. Breaking down these skills into individual qualities can help us understand exactly why we need to be leaders in order to learn at our highest capacities. The following explains what qualities I think a leader should have, and why it is important to incorporate these qualities in a college education.

Leaders are organized. They are able to keep track of many demands from differing sources and take care of each request quickly and completely. This is a necessary skill for someone pursuing a college education. With five, six, or seven classes, each with different homework, projects, quizzes, tests, and labs, your “to-do” list can grow exponentially each day. If a student has the leadership quality of being organized, assignments will not be forgotten, due dates will not be missed, and the student will be able to complete each assignment thoroughly and correctly in the given time period.

Leaders are motivated. They are driven to do the work they are given because of something that is within them. They do not need to be nagged, persuaded, or bribed. A student in pursuit of a college degree must be self-motivated because more often than not, they do not have other sources of motivation anymore. They do not have teachers sending emails home to mom and dad, asking why you didn’t turn in an assignment. When they get home at the end of a long day of classes, nobody will be there telling them they have to finish their essay before they can turn on the television and relax. A student must realize this on their own and be driven to do the assignments, do well in their classes, and graduate in a timely manner, without any external source of pressure.

Leaders are passionate. They love what they do, and this helps them do their best at it. This is one reason that secondary education is a thrill for many students. Throughout high school, there were many requirements to ensure that you learned enough of each subject. There were parents, counselors, and teachers who made sure you took specific classes that you may or may not have enjoyed. Although there are general education requirements in college, many students are pleased to find out that there is a lot more freedom of choice at this level of education. Students can pick a major they love, take related classes, and even venture out with various elective courses. This is where passion comes to play. A student who has leadership qualities will find a major that they are passionate about. This passion will drive them to work hard and get their degree so they can begin working in a related career. This passion is what makes great students, and eventually, great workers.

Leaders are outgoing and confident. They are not afraid to speak their mind. They are willing to try new things, take risks, and work with other people. This is something that is quickly learned in college. Most people are forced to make new friends quickly as they move to a new state, a new area, or even just a new apartment. Making friends with people in your classes, apartment buildings, or on campus can be vital to success in college. It can help you to form study groups, to have people to relax with, or even to help network for internships and job opportunities. There are many opportunities to speak your mind in class, or in various clubs, committees, volunteer opportunities, and more. College is a time to develop and take advantage of these valuable opportunities and develop excellent “people skills”. If you are a leader as you go through college, you will find new opportunities for growth and new relationships along the way.

There are some people who are leaders from a very young age. They go through life with many of these great qualities ingrained in them as part of their personality. Others, however, don’t feel like they are born leaders. The good news is that these qualities can be learned. We can develop in each of these areas to become better leaders, and, in turn, have a more successful college experience. Being a leader is essential for secondary education because of the qualities leaders have that will help in every aspect of a student’s schooling.