Numerous opportunities exist on campus for students to gain leadership skills, whether through student government or department committees, and it’s just a matter of finding them.
According to http://uoleadership.uoregon.edu, a University-sponsored Web site, there are about 200 possibilities for University leadership involvement, not only for current students but incoming students as well.
EMU Marketing Coordinator Lee LaTour, who spearheaded the Web site project winter term, said the site was created to provide a comprehensive resource for students interested in leadership.
“There was no central way or central place for students to find out where these opportunities are,” she said.
She said leadership is important in many career choices, and learning how to work with and direct others is not only a résumé builder but a good way to learn about one’s self.
“A big part of leadership is also about how you’re conducting yourself,” she said.
Campus leaders agree that getting this kind of experience has many benefits, including gaining communication and management skills, which can benefit the community and help a student’s chances at getting a job after graduation.
“I feel like the work I’m doing right now is the most important practical experience,” ASUO President Maddy Melton said. “I think it’s a phenomenal supplement to the work we do in the classroom.”
Melton said she originally got involved in ASUO for the sake of underrepresented communities, such as the lesbian, gay, transgender and queer community. But she said she soon realized that she had a general passion for leading and helping others become leaders.
“For me, it’s not really about leadership,” she said. “But I have a passion for leadership development.”
Alpha Phi Omega’s Service Chairwoman Katie Fox said she likes being a part of decision-making processes at the University. Alpha Phi Omega is a co-ed service organization that works with community services such as FOOD for
Lane County and the American
Red Cross.
“It’s definitely good to have a say in what’s going on at the University,” she said.
Fox said she felt isolated from the campus community before she engaged in leadership opportunities.
Now she organizes community projects and said the position has taught her how to guide others to improve the community, which
she hopes will continue once
she graduates.
“I think that’s how the world ends up changing,” she said.
Junior business major Stuart Bessieres said he’s learned how to better communicate ideas and persuade people through his leadership position. Bessieres is director of external relations for the University Finance Association, which is a group of students interested in the finance industry. His job is to reach out to companies and bring in finance representatives to speak to the group. He also leads fund-raising initiatives and coordinates opportunities for students to visit companies, he said.
“It’s really improved my teamwork skills,” he said, adding that the role has also boosted his self-confidence. “I have a role here that people look up to.”
Senior Matt Yeow is director of the International Student Association, which also means he is this year’s main coordinator for International Week, one of the University’s largest cultural events.
He said peer leadership can be “trickier” than other forms of leadership and that it’s important to strike a balance between being a leader and a team worker.
“Over here, you need to make sure that you don’t just bark orders,”
he said.
He said students should build team leadership skills because many businesses today are leaning toward that style of management.
“More and more businesses are realizing that this is the way to go,” he said.
For more information on campus leadership positions, visit http://uoleadership.uoregon.edu.