Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wfryer/
Leadership skills are critical to success! Teens need to be empowered with leadership skills so that they can be successful in the future. Excellent communication skills in the form of listening, speaking, and body language along with many other things make a great leader . Are these skills inherent or learned? Some people say one is a “born leader.” This statement suggests that other people are “born followers.” Leadership is not a trait that you are born with, but rather a set of skills learned over time. Think about athletes. Is one born with all the skills needed to be a professional athlete? No. In order to be an excellent leader you must learn the skills needed for such an important role. “Practice makes perfect” is what I have always heard and found to be true. Teens need opportunities to practice leadership skills. Community involvement is the perfect way to exercise those skills and become an empowered leader of the future.
There are so many ways that teens can get involved in the community. For more information click here to read my post, Volunteering for Teens: Resources and Benefits. The rewards of community involvement are endless. Middle and high school students who are actively involved in the community reap the benefits such as networking with local professionals and organizations, scholarship opportunities, gaining community service hours, practicing those much needed leadership skills for future jobs, increased self esteem and confidence, and more.
In Jacksonville, FL and surrounding areas there are such a wealth of opportunities to be involved in the community that it is hard to choose or even know where to start. How do you start? Know your passion! To start ask yourself a few questions:
1. What interests me?
2. What do I like to do?
3. What kind of career interests me?
Ok, now start researching using some of the resources listed in my post, Volunteering for Teens: Resources and Benefits. Inquire at your school and nearby schools about opportunities.
Have a great idea? Start your own community project! You do not have to an adult to start your own project. It can be as simple as collecting canned goods in your neighborhood or getting a few friends and cleaning up a local park or other area of the community. Give your project a title and spread the word! Start taking action and become an amazing leader. You can make a difference!
Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/visionsservice/
Student Futures coach, Melanie Black, believes strongly in helping her community. She will be volunteering at the Generation WOW Conference at UNF November 5th. Learn more about how the conference helps teen girls by clicking here. Also, November is National Alzheimers Disease Awareness Month and as she does every year, Melanie Black will be participating in the Walk to End Alzheimers on November 8th as it is a cause close to her heart. Finally, November 6th Melanie will be participating in the Light the Night Walk to raise money and awareness for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Student Futures helps students develop leadership skills through academic coaching. We give students strategies to increase self-efficacy, self-motivation, and self discipline. Contact us today for a free consultation. Click here to learn more about academic coaching and how we are helping students in Jacksonville and surrounding areas.
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