Career Cafe: Professional Experiences

Career Cafe



“The leader of the past knew how to tell; the leader of the future knows how to ask.”

- Peter Drucker, Scholar

Take the Lead
Did you know?

Students with leadership experience stand out in the hiring process. Employers value leadership experience because it gives them added insight into the skills, character and drive of a job seeker. In a 2013 Millennial Branding Survey, 86% of employers said they look to promote employees possessing these skills. Students often think leadership experience is limited to being an officer in an organization but leadership can be demonstrated in many ways. Heading up a campus committee, coaching a little league team or helping to organize a community event are all examples of leadership. Because leadership experiences enhance student success and help students stand out in the hiring process, encourage your students to identify and participate in leadership opportunities on your campus, in their community or with a professional organization.

Try this…

• Ask students questions about their leadership experiences.
• List reasons leadership experience is important.
• View video.
• Distribute Student Activity, review directions and complete.
• Share students’ responses to the job interview question.
• Add an Experience!

Introduce your students to specific campus clubs, Professional Associations or community organizations related to your discipline. Give them contact information to help them make connections to “real” opportunities to learn and lead. Encourage students to stop by the CACareerCafe.Com EXPERIENCEsection for more ideas and connections.