Sessions will better prepare students for job market
Jan 11, 2010
From staff reports

The Amanda J. Cunningham Leadership Center will offer of a new leadership opportunity for all Ohio University students called the 21st Century Leadership Series beginning on Wednesday.

The free sessions begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays and 7 p.m. on Mondays through March 1 in the Amanda J. Cunningham Leadership Center on the third floor of Baker University Center. Students who complete all seven sections will receive a certificate of completion.

The series, which is based on the Higher Education Research Institute’s Social Change Model of Leadership, will help students learn the skills to succeed in today’s global economy. It includes sections on: Personal Strengths and Self-Awareness; Identifying Values and Ethics; Defining your Leadership Brand; Emotional Intelligence; Understanding Team Development. The series also includes two capstone seminars titled Embracing Change and Confusion and Global Citizenship and Servant Leadership.

“Employers want students to articulate what leading others means, speak the language of good leadership, and demonstrate the ability to influence others to want to do more and become more,” said Kevin Smith, assistant director of the Campus Involvement Center, who leads the Cunningham Leadership Center. “In short, employers want to hire students with the ability to lead from any level, regardless of position.”

In March 2008, the National Association of Colleges and Employers released a study that identified leadership as the number one quality that employers are now looking for in college graduates. It beat out other qualities and attributes such as G.P.A., and communication skills.

“Employers are asking our graduates questions such as ‘How did you lead teams?’ and they want to hear more than ‘I was the president of my organization’ or ‘I was in charge,’” Smith said.

Related Links:
Campus Life Leadership Development