Students who build strong leadership experience are in high demand by employers and graduate programs. Leaders have the ability to focus on a goal or issue, identify and influence others to effectively work with them, and accept responsibility for outcomes. There are a number of ways to build your leadership skills right here on campus.
Make an impact on campus
Connect with peers with similar interests/goals
Develop collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills
Learn about yourself as a leader
Lead through Student Organizations
Getting involved on campus through student organizations is a great way to engage with others, build relationships, and enhance your academic experience.
- Sign up for committees and events and work toward becoming an officer (e.g., secretary, president).
- Identify goals and priorities, recruit new members, set agendas, establish and administer a budget, lead meetings, and more.
- Check unit/area websites to find the student organizations connected to the college.
- We support them with funding opportunities.
Get Involved in CAS
Represent the college as a Student Ambassador and utilize funding to host events for organizations connected to the college.
Lead as a Peer Mentor, Host, or Guide
There are a number of high impact leadership roles on campus—some that come with academic credit, compensation, or other benefits like housing.
- CAS Student Ambassadors
- Resident Assistants
- Orientation Leaders
- Peer mentor with Big Red Resilience and Learning Communities
- Support new students in programs you are already affiliated with, such as the Honors Program, William H. Thompson Scholars (WHT), Nebraska College Preparatory Academy (NCPA), or First Husker
Use your strengths, build skills, connect with peers, and serve fellow students or community members.
Lead as a Campus Employee
There are many opportunities to work on campus, placing you in-the-know about various aspects of UNL’s operations. You may assist fellow students, staff, or the community in utilizing services or understanding information and policy.
- Some of the largest employers include Libraries, Campus Recreation, and Housing and Dining.
- Husker Grow is a campus program that turns campus employment into experiential learning. Student employees engage in reflective and structured conversations with their supervisor or coach. This connects on-the-job learning to coursework and career goals.
- Find on-campus employment, including work-study, on Handshake, UNL’s online job search portal.
- Talk with the CAS Career Coaches for more information and work with them to develop your resumes and interview skills.
Getting Started
Academic Advisors
Watch for leadership opportunities in your academic advisors’ weekly emails. Share your interests with them in your meetings and ask for recommendations for how to build leadership.
CAS Career Coaches
A career coach will help you learn more about Handshake, work on resumes and interview skills, and reflect on how your leadership experience connects to after graduation plans.
SLICE
Learn about leadership opportunities and get coaching on how to be a better leader through the Student Leadership, Involvement, and Community Engagement office.
If curiosity has moved you to engage in a leadership position—we'd like to share it with the Husker community!