grateful to have been placed with a mentor for the conference through my scholarship. The only way I can think to describe my impression of the conference after the first few minutes of the opening keynote speaker is a wave of positivity and community. I couldn’t help but feel like I was a part of something inclusive and powerful. A couple of the many topics discussed at the two-day conference were: what leadership looks like, and who is traditionally seen as being capable of leading. The presenters and even fellow attendants provided me with incredibly rich insight to my personal leadership values by sharing their own stories. Hearing the experiences of so many strong women caused me to reflect on my own leadership strengths and weakness. I realized my compassion for others is a great asset to my leadership style. My weaknesses weren’t defined by my failures but by the things that I allow to hold me back individually and within groups.

          As an AVID tutor, I am responsible for leading a team of middle/ high school students through their tutorial process. In this capacity, my students are considered student leaders and it is my responsibility to hold them to that. Each student is required to bring in a problem from one of their classes they did not understand. They present their point of confusion and all the prior knowledge they have on the problem. Then it is up to the group to lead them through their problem by utilizing resources and asking questions to guide the student through the problem rather than just providing them with the answer. As a tutor, I must ensure that students are staying true to these limitations, while also seeing to it that the student presenting the problem gains a better understanding. My sole function is to assist the group in working together towards one common goal. I monitor the students approaches to leadership within my group and critique and give feedback as needed. I like to demonstrate what a high-level question sounds like for the group. I am constantly working to be both a manager and member of my tutorial group.

          While studying abroad with Semester at Sea, I was awarded a work-study position as a student life intern. Aboard the MV World Odyssey I worked with a range of leadership styles. Not only did I work with various takes on leadership, but most members of the Student Life staff and interns handled different aspects of student life. Each Student Life intern was assigned to one Student Life Staff member. The teams of two tackled issues of: Health & Wellness, Recreation & Student Activities, Academic Support, Religion & Spirituality, Community Service & Learning, and Diversity and Inclusion. So, while each couple had their own set of responsibilities to uphold, we joined forces as often as possible to provide responsive and engaging programming for the shipboard community. As an intern, I worked with 5 students as well as 6 staff members. Working in such a large leadership group allowed many opportunities to reflect on my leadership style as well as strongly considering my impression of leadership styles different from my own  by examining traits I would like to bring into my own leadership style and those I would like to avoid.

          From the very beginning of my first summer at Camp Robindel, it has been an immeasurably transformative and inspiring place. Often described as, “the hardest job you will ever love” I hold many roles and responsibilities during the 8 weeks camp is in session. I am a theatre teacher; a live-in/bunk counselor; a mediator; a meal server; and most recently, a color war captain (GO BLUE!). It is with this wide range of opportunity and experience in camp leadership I can confidently say I have achieved level 4 in values and teams. Over my past two summers at camp I have established my own style and approach to my roles. Within my role of theatre camp counselor, I have found my strengths (staging/blocking and actor development) and received recognition for my approach from my department heads. As a bunk and general counselor, a large component of my leadership philosophy is rooted in prioritizing being a role model over being a friend to my campers. Being a camp counselor is an around the clock job, and every day is another opportunity to implement and develop my leadership style and values. In regards to teams, I do not believe there is a single job at camp that is done alone. At camp, we work, live, eat and socialize with the same group of people. Counselors and other staff step into our leadership roles at the beginning of the summer and don’t step out of them until leave 8 weeks later. Every moment and interaction counts.

          One of the most important things I have learned about leadership has been understanding its fluidity. Contrary to popular belief, being a leader isn’t a role that one steps in and out of as they see fit. Everyone leads at some time or another with their triumphs and trials in tow. And because leadership is not an exclusive nor independent event, it is wise to critically consider one’s approach and overall philosophy.