Are Leadership Skills Necessary for College Success? by Heather

Are Leadership Skills Necessary for College Success? by Heather - March 2015 Scholarship Essay

Heather Blue
Varsitytutors.com Scholarship
March 2015
“Are Leadership Skills Necessary for College Success?”

Since the recession began in December 2007, college graduates are having issues findings jobs after graduation. The workforce was competitive even before economic hard times, and now it has become a “dog eat dog” atmosphere. What characteristics does it take to become successful during college and thereafter?

The number one characteristic a college student should possess would be leadership. Not every college student or new employee will possess strong leadership qualities, and they will find their own way to navigate the work force world, but leadership skills will be a plus. Everyone gets the same story from their parents and teachers about being involved during your college years since it will look very good on your resume, but they know what they are talking about.

Leaders know how to strive. They are confident and outgoing people that seem to breeze through difficult and stressful situations. Every leadership role that they are in helps to build the confidence that they will need for job interviews and then finally when they are starting in their new employment positions.
They use their leader role to develop new communication skills, from casual conversation with a co-worker to dealing with the irate customer that is unhappy about some interaction or aspect of the business they are dealing with. It is definitely all about being a people pleaser.

College students in leadership roles are able to network more easily. What better way to get your information out and about for future employment opportunities? They can build their “brand” while in school, to help with opportunities for employment upon graduation.
Management and problem-solving skills are definitely a plus in a leadership role. While being in charge of a group of people, it is not one certain person that solves all of the problems, but the group. A good leader will help each and every member use productivity and positive thinking to help find a solution to problems at hand.

Leaders will often find themselves discovering that they are capable to perform more skills or positions than what they were originally intended for. For example, if a group is missing some members that are needed for a task at hand, the leader may find that they can become a financial advisor, public relations manager, or will fill any other spot that they need.

Finally, leaders will be recognized for their accolades and this will ultimately help them to improve their resume. When future employers look at your resume, they are initially being “sold” to how fit you are for the job needing filled. In this competitive world, college students should be trying to make their resumes as “sellable” as they can. Why should an employer choose you over the person sitting next to you?

Leadership skills are extremely important and necessary for college success. A person is now learning how to function in the real world without parents to back them up and make sure things are done for them, and they may also be experiencing more of real world job experiences than they have before. The leadership skills mentioned in this essay will help a person succeed in their college career, and will help them succeed in finding a successful job in a competitive work force.