What Makes Me an Expert

I know what you’re thinking…

“What gives this 23-year-old fifth year college student the audacity to call herself an expert on the broad subject of student leadership? I read her “about me” and it must be because she is the vice president of PRSSA. What is PRSSA anyway? The only people that have heard of it are the few hundred students on her campus and the professionals in the public relations field.”

Well, your assumption about me is only partially true. I am a leader within my chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). However, I have been a “student leader” since I began my kindergarten education. At the age of six, my parents began teaching me about communicating with potential leaders. My coloring books consisted of personality exercises with the pictures describing the four basic personality types and how they relate to one another. My favorite Dr. Seuss book was “Oh, the Places You’ll Go,” which taught me how important it is to always shoot for the stars no matter what gets in my way. And on top of all this, I learned how to present to my superiors and simplify presentations when my mother sat me down at the kitchen table and showed me what my Amway/ Quixtar parents called, “the plan.” “The Plan” is the business model for how to succeed and still help others succeed in our marketing and sales corporation.

Since then, I have always been involved in something and am known among my peers for my persistent and positive attitude about life. Some people strive to become so called “leaders” in student organizations solely for the use of a title on their resume and project summaries in their portfolios. If this attitude continues to be allowed throughout their lives, these people grow up to be politicians, Sherriffs, lawyers and celebrities solely for the fame of the title.

My expertise is not in how to be the perfect student leader, as I do not believe that perfection within this category, or any category, exists. My expertise is not in how to build a great resume, as I am still learning this skill myself. My expertise is in how to be a great leader among your peers and how to improve networking abilities based on personality and strong character.