Learning to Lead: SkillsUSA District 10 Leadership Conference
by Katie Bober, sophomore Veterinary Assistant
“In every job that must be done there is an element of fun;
you find the fun and ‘SNAP!’ the job’s a game!” ~ Sherman, Disney Studios
One of the purposes of SkillsUSA is to offer opportunities for members to put new leadership skills into practice. At the 2019 Leadership Conference in December, twenty-one members of the Lawrence County CTC Chapter of SkillsUSA grasped that opportunity, had fun, and learned many valuable lessons -- especially about leadership and what it means to be the best leader possible.
How did this happen? . . . by active participation in activities designed to make them think, act, and do — all while having fun.
Amber Birckbichler, sophomore Machine Tool Technician, truly enjoyed the conference. She states, “It was a great experience to learn about leadership; the games taught us to work together — even with people we had never met before.” Networking with other schools was clearly a benefit to many who attended.
“I really enjoyed the event,” states Andrew Minteer, junior Welding student. “My biggest takeaway was the importance of communication. The leaders used games to help us understand this skill.”
In one presentation, members were asked to select a shape that appealed to them: a square, a triangle, a circle, and a squiggle; through this, they learned that their choice can reflect certain personality-traits, and being aware of these traits can help a leader understand his or her strengths.
Students also played career-related trivia games, putting their heads together with other SkillsUSA members from Western Pennsylvania to determine the correct answer.
Through teamwork challenges, members found that they could accomplish inconceivable goals; the task for one such activity was to move approximately twenty-five students from one side of the room to the other without stepping off of the three boards. Initially, it sounds simple, but only twenty would fit on the boards at one time. Even then, they could only advance about half of the way to their goal. The solution was simple: Teamwork, but it took a while.
In another activity, members took on the roles of a business industry that included production, management, and sales. Through this, they learned that one person or a lone division can’t do all the work and still be successful; everyone has an important role to play in business.
Zach Marski, junior Welder stated, “Business Building was one activity that impacted me. I was surprised at all that went into actually creating a business; there are numerous departments that need to work together for the success of the company, and if one falters, the entire business might fall.”
Every member took away valuable lessons from the trip, and because of the experience, they all became better leaders! Cailin Lyons, Veterinary Assistant senior stated, ”One of the take-aways from this leadership conference I learned was that in every I might not be comfortable, and that’s okay. Sometimes I need to step out of my comfort zone. and challenge myself”
Amelia Hogue, Cosmetology senior said, “My highlight was meeting new people from other schools who shared similar interests. Working as a team is more fun when you don't know who you're with because it adds in a sense of challenge. This helps me as a student because it will make me stronger in similar situations when I continue on in my career.”
Representing Lawrence County CTC, the Opening and Closing Team did their part as presiding officers to present the symbolic representation of the colors and assembled parts of the SkillsUSA emblem for the business of the day. Over the last several months they have prepared knowing they would present at this conference, a helpful practice preparing them as they to go into competition. “We went through many scenarios to make sure we presented correctly. Speaking in front of so many people was a bit of an adrenaline rush, but when we finished, we felt an incredible sense of accomplishment.”
Understanding more of themselves, working with strangers to accomplish a goal, and stepping outside of comfort zones to use problem-solving strategies was hard work, but at the end of the day, doing so was a ton of fun.. Members learned many lessons on what it takes to become leaders.
