Series develops leadership, professional skills

From managing time well to fostering teamwork, students at UC Davis are learning practical leadership and professional skills through a special series of workshops.

The Student Leadership Development Series is among the ways that UC Davis helps students hone skills for leading in their workplaces, their communities and beyond.

Almost 500 students registered for the workshops last year, and more than one-third took more than one training session.

The sessions are designed to give students a boost in the skills they’ll use beyond college — including leadership, communications, diversity training and team development, said Christie Navarro, program manager for the Center for Leadership Learning.

Topics for the series, established 19 years ago, range from how to succeed in the first job after college to the role of language in promoting diversity.

Certificate available

Students can attend just one seminar or take several to earn a certificate they can then use to demonstrate achievement to prospective employers or graduate schools.

Marciela Salazar, of Prunedale, Calif., a senior who is majoring in psychology as well as community and regional development, has already earned a certificate and continues to participate in workshops.

“I remember going to a seminar and thinking that this is something that I need,” she recalled. “I was always scared to speak up in class and when I had groups, I wasn’t sure how to work in them.”

“The seminars are really small, everyone introduces themselves, and the speakers always offer something relevant — like professional development and team building skills,” Salazar said.

She added that she has drawn upon what she’s learned to remain poised in interviews for internships.

Group projects

Navarro said one of the requirements of a certificate is completion of a group project. Students, she said, have partnered with others to organize events for senior citizens, support the establishment of a food pantry on campus and raise money for various causes.

Navarro emphasized that the leadership development series can be helpful to students not just in the future, but also during their university life. “Students participating in workshops are able to network with other aspiring leaders and with those who teach our sessions.”

The series is part of the Center for Leadership Learning, which also oversees certificate programs for diversity leadership and student preparation for campus jobs. UC Davis also offers a minor in contemporary leadership through the Science and Society Program of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.