A 21st Century Leader by Parker

A 21st Century Leader by Parker - March 2015 Scholarship Essay

In today's rapid-paced environment, people are constantly expected to adapt to the changes that are going on around them. As the world becomes more connected and personal thanks to technology and a globally-charged economy, businesses are interacting like never before. Not only are these businesses interacting with each other, but they even have a public profile that must consistently meet the demands of the consumer culture in which they interact. These demands are not, simply, quality products and services. Instead, the bare minimum is a quality product. The 21st century consumer culture demands a personality, a philanthropic attitude, and a big-picture outlook on the world in which we live. With these sort of requirements in today's world, corporations have big shoes to fill when it comes to hiring employees. These corporations need people who will take charge and lead their company through its endeavors with a mindset that is in-tune with the mentioned consumer culture. Thus being said, leadership is more important than ever when it comes to preparing for a career and it must start in college to be successful.

Leadership skills are among the most important requirements for a successful college career. Although learning is very important and a high GPA is always a plus, there will always be better students in different fields throughout universities around the world. When looking at prospective employees, recruiters are not looking for who got an A in Calculus. They are looking for the students who jumped out of their comfort zones, made a positive impact through their involvement on (and off) campus, and were able to develop these leadership skills through first-hand experiences - not from reading a textbook. The GPA is then, as a result, just a proof that shows that the student was able to balance their involvement with their education. Recruiters want to hire a student who left a legacy on campus that can be translated into their professional careers. They want students who can get the attention of a room, speak-up, and manage the people they work alongside. They want leaders.

Students who fail to become leaders in college will get lost in the pack. A student who conquers their studies while making an impact on campus are those same students who will be successful in their ventures. While a B-student who gets involved in clubs, participates in philanthropic projects, and leads others will climb the ladder in their respective field, the A-student who stayed in his/her room may get hired, but will be stagnant throughout their career. It is ever so important to get involved on campus, take a lead, and show your university what your worth.

A successful career requires a successful college experience which requires leadership skills. Lead the pack.