A Gamecock by Nature

The Moore School of Business is a very generous college.  I have been very fortunate to reap the benefits of being a business student at USC.  This year the Moore School selected a handful of students to be part of the Moore School Emerging Leaders Program.  It was a pleasant surprise when I read the email informing me I had been selected.  After reading the email, I had to fill out a profile about how I believed I acted as a leader and I had to have two other people fill out a profile about how they perceived me to be as a leader.  After the results were processed by one of the academic advisors, I learned that most people view me as sometone who searches for opportunities to take risks and also fosters collaboration among others. 

The advisor also hosted a "mini conference" about leadership and its role at USC and in our organizations.  This seminar enabled us to share our insights and learn more about our personal leadership styles.  I learned that I enjoy a very participative leadership style and use my charisma to positively impact groups and goals.  My favorite quote from the lecture was by the authors Kouzes and Posner.  It state "leadership is the act of mobilizing others to want to struggle for shared aspirations." 

As an Emerging Leader and a rising senior, I had the opportunity to travel to Champaign, Illinois to attend the LeaderShape Institute for six days last month.  You're probably thinking, "how fun can a leadership conference during your summer really be?"  Well let me tell you, this was the most life-changing and impactful six days I've probably ever experienced.  The Institute had 58 students from universities and colleges across the country who wanted to learn how to lead with integrity.  It was such a diverse group of students based on background, religion, experiences, organizations, and visions. 

It is hard to express in words how much of an effect this week had on me, so I will just tell you what we did.  Every single day was jam packed with learning.  We met as a learning community to watch clips from movies and videos, we talked about our roles as leaders in our organizations and played games that reflected opportunities to show our integrity.  We spent our free time bonding with one another through deep conversations and playing games such as Jenga, Egyptian War and logic games.  We wrote encouraging notes to one another throughout the week and placed the notes in one another's hand designed brown bags.  In our family clusters of 12 people and headed by a facilitator we discussed our passions and our vision for our school, community or the world.  This group of people saw me laugh, smile and cry.  They were such a supportive group of people who truly wanted to see me succeed with my vision.

The Institute made me realize that there are so many other people my age that want to cause great things to happen.  It was a very motivational experience and I loved being given the opportunity to attend LeaderShape. 

My recommendation for each of you is to come to college and seek out every opportunity you can to learn about yourself and others.  For me, I was very fortunate that LeaderShape found me.  Stay positive, work hard, and great things will happen!  Let's go Gamecocks!

Posted by Lydia at 05:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I blinked and this semester disappeared.  I remember as the last week of school approached, it seemed like just a few days prior I had been back in Tampa on Spring Break.  My days were filled with classes, meeting with Delta Sigma Pi pledges for interviews, and going to the gym whenever possible.  My evenings were filled with studying for the never-ending tests, group project meetings and other extracurriculars.  By the time the weekends rolled around I was exhausted but I didn't let that stop me from managing my social life with my studies. 

It's crazy for me to think that six semesters ago I entered college with a mixture of feelings and emotions.  I was anxious to move away from home, go to a new school and meet new people.  I was also worried about whether I would like my roommate and if I would pick the right activities to spend my time.  I must say I now have a different mesh of feelings and emotions toward the next chapter up and coming in my life.  I am enjoying the summer before my senior year of college - my last 2 semesters!  This is the last summer break I will probably ever have before the reality of the real world sets in. 

As all of you are finishing up your senior year of high school, some of you are probably excited that it's over while others of you may be worried that your "glory days" are over.  I recommend you spend this summer getting to really know yourself.  When you enter college, beginning with the day you move into your dorm, you will meet all kinds people from all different backgrounds and with all different interests and past experiences.  I recommend you give every single person a chance.  Get to know as many people as you can and don't limit yourself. 

Freshman year is by far the easiest year to meet people and build incredible friendships.  Everyone surrounding you is experiencing the same thing and wants to meet the students next to him/her in class, the students down the hall and the students he/she passes everyday walking around campus.  I recommend you take that chance to open up, put a smile on and extend your hand.  For a lot of people, something changes between freshman and sophomore year.  A lot of students move off campus and spend less time on campus beyond their assigned class times.  Enjoy the freshman experience and the opportunity to live on campus.

By your junior year, you will realize that most of your friends have the same major as you.  This school year, 9 out of my 11 classes were in the BA (Business building).  I saw the same students wandering the halls, in the elevators and in my classes.  My regular group of friends become the brothers of Delta Sigma Pi (Professional business fraternity) and the students I studied with for tests.  This is not by any means a bad thing.  However, I do think it's healthy to have friends of a variety of majors and interests so that you do not always feel like you're competing with everyone around you.  As a business major, all of us are constantly applying for the same opportunities in the Moore School, internships and soon we will be applying for the same jobs. 

I definitely recommend you all check out this website.  http://web.sa.sc.edu/  It lists all of the student organizations on campus which will hopefully help you decipher clubs you would like to get involved in from the beginning of your journey at Carolina.  Good luck!  Let me know if you'd like any additional information!  Happy hunting.

Posted by Lydia at 05:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)