A constant fear among college students is whether or not they will obtain a job after completing their degree. For me, it is a nightmare. However, by working in the LEAD Office and collaborating with multiple offices on campus, I feel as if I have become more assured that I am career ready.

A poster made for students to write down what they are passionate about. I am passionate about helping children and adolescents have the best life they are able to have.

I know that I can and have to continuously grow as a leader by assessing my strengths and skills. I strive daily to execute tasks in such a way that uses my strengths but also utilizes my weaknesses so that I can grow. Also, acting ethically is a value of mine. When I think of what I want to do with my life I think of how I must be ethical and understand different ethical perspectives. The American Psychological Association has a very strict code of ethics, which I will be following my whole life. By understanding what ethics entails, I am better able to become ready for a career that I am interested in. Also, I will be able to work effectively and ethically without any problems.

My fellow Leadership Consultants and I facilitate workshops with Mason students on teamwork, smart goals, and ice breakers. By doing this throughout my time in the LEAD Office, I have been able to learn and live by team building tactics. Communication and listening skills are a must within teams, especially while working towards a goal. Also, taking initiative is important to begin any teamwork. While working towards a goal, I am able to guide decision-making and problem solving. However, I am always conscious of other voices around me. It is crucial to me to not push other people’s ideas away. I try to not overpower any discussion because that will lead to ineffective problem solving.

Spring 2016 Alumni Leadership Speaker Series panelists and the LEAD Office crew.

One of my duties as a Leadership Consultant is to plan and organize the Alumni Leadership Speaker Series. This is a series of discussions in which Mason alum attend as a panel of speakers. During my second semester in the LEAD Office, we had an Alumni Leadership Speaker Series focused on how community engagement on campus helped them with their career. Mason Career Services collaborated with us for this discussion. The alumni were very knowledgeable about many things including resume building and internships. Many students attended and were very engaged in the event.

By working with alumni and hearing their stories I have been able to understand multiple components of what it means to be career ready. I must acknowledge my successes and talents in order to transfer them in the right way to whatever job I might obtain. Also, working with career services has been a very insightful experience. Not only did I partner with them for this event, but I also regularly volunteer at the career fairs held on campus. I am able to meet employers and hang out with faculty from Career Services for multiple hours at a time.

I would say that I would never be one hundred percent career ready; however, I continue to strive to work well in teams, acknowledge my strengths, and act ethically in all aspects of my life.