Alumni Essay 23

In most social events involving people of the same age range as I, I’ve never been shy. Actually, I’ve often been told I’m the “life of the party.” People remark on my bubbly and outgoing personality in social situations. However, when it comes to more formal events and/or networking events, I tend to get a little awkward. I’m always scared I’ll say or do the wrong thing, or worse, lose an important networking opportunity. Being put in Youth Lead KC my junior year seemed almost like torture–our teacher would talk about all these important networking events and how it was important we go and shake hands with important people, and get your name in their head. Truly, it scared me.
It started out small. I introduced myself to the Youth Lead KC staff. It was scary, but necessary. Then, we went to our first college and career fair. It was vastly overwhelming–all I could think about was the amount of people I’d have to shake hands with, introduce myself to, and have a professional conversation with. However, the representatives’ friendly nature soothed my nerves quite a bit. As the day went on I began to feel at ease, gaining more knowledge and skill in having professional conversations. Now, because of experiences such as this, I am much more comfortable in professional situations.
Professional communication is a great skill for me to use, not only as a leader, but as a journalist after my studies in college. Networking is a huge part of journalism, and after gaining this skill I’m confident in my success as a journalist. Oftentimes, journalists are in a position to ask some seriously uncomfortable questions, or are even met with uncomfortable answers. It can be nerve racking but getting information is ultimately a huge role in journalism. Youth Lead KC’s plethora of networking opportunities ultimately boosted my confidence in professionalism during conversations, and will continue to help me as I advance into the world of journalism.
If I were in a leadership position in my future career, the benefits from Youth Lead KC wouldn’t stop at professional language in the workplace. Through this program, I’ve learned professionalism in all aspects–clothing, language, and behavior. I’ve learned how to present myself in a professional situation, not only physically but mentally. I’ve learned the type of mentality I need to be in during a professional event, and the way I should carry myself. This is one of the most important life skills in my opinion. It will assist me in my future career and help me make a good name for myself.
I plan to leave a legacy within my career, investigating the truth for all my articles. I’m going to dedicate myself to the art of article and news writing, and ensure my readers enjoy my pieces. I plan to give my readers nothing but honesty and factual information. I will hunt for knowledge as a predator hunts for prey, and provide facts, not opinions. I plan to do everything I can to uncover the truth–whatever it takes. My time in Youth Lead KC has heavily boosted my growth as a leader and a career woman.