Five Ways Students Can Get Leadership on Their Resumes
Do you know a UW-Madison student looking to get more leadership experience on their resume? If so, let them know there are plenty of opportunities to do so.
Whether they’ve just arrived on campus or are approaching their last year of school, getting leadership experience can feel daunting and it can be difficult to know where to start. Luckily, there are numerous opportunities right at their fingertips to help them out.
Here are some ways UW-Madison students can increase their leadership experience, build their professional network and enhance their resumes.
1. Enroll in the Leadership Certificate
Leadership experience doesn’t just come from the classroom. It can be gained through civic engagement and extracurricular involvement, too. UW-Madison’s non-academic Leadership Certificate program, started in 2002, offers undergraduate, graduate and professional students, who have completed at least 100 hours of leadership experience, the opportunity to reflect on and strengthen their leadership skills all while having it formally recognized by the university.
2. Look Into Wisconsin Union Employment
The Wisconsin Union is known for creating great places to eat, gather and socialize, but it’s also one of the largest student employers on campus. With more than 1,800 student employees in more than 60 kinds of student employee roles, ranging from dining to administrative support, the position options are seemingly endless. On top of the opportunity to build leadership skills and meet other student employees, all student positions have a starting wage of at least $15/hour.
3. Join a Registered Student Organization (RSO)
At UW-Madison, there is no shortage of opportunities to get involved. With upwards of 1,000 RSOs on campus, students have the opportunity to build leadership skills in hundreds of personal and professional interests. Joining an organization gives students the chance to strengthen their leadership skills alongside a network of fellow students who share their interests.
4. Apply to be a Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) Student Leader
Within the WUD are 12 completely student-led committees and six outdoor clubs. From all things cuisine to literary arts, students are given the opportunity to engage in a leadership experience in a variety of interest areas. Student officers and directors oversee their operations and ensure that the events we’ve come to love (or are about to love) fill the Wisconsin Union event calendar.
5. Visit the Office for Student Organizations, Leadership & Involvement (SOLI)
SOLI aims to connect students with opportunities for leadership and involvement throughout campus. Along with the Leadership Certificate, SOLI houses a variety of leadership programming including the membership-based Student Leadership Program, which offers student-led leadership education and programming. To ensure students are staying on track with their leadership goals, SOLI also offers a variety of other leadership and involvement resources.
