When we exist in any environment, whether in school, community, or work, we begin to see the ways in which things could be improved. In those moments, it is easy to complain to the wrong people and never see anything change. The alternative is to participate within our diverse communities and work together to communicate the things that need to be addressed, using the appropriate channels that will allow change to occur. This is the source of successful, ethical leadership.
How can we participate and learn skills in leadership?
Some people are natural-born leaders, but a lot of us become leaders through the act of showing up, participating, and learning through experience. BCIT students can participate and gain experience in leadership roles through many of the programs the BCIT Student Association has to offer.
One way is to volunteer to be the “Set Rep,” where you will represent your class and be the first point of contact for student concerns involving the BCITSA. There are opportunities to advance afterwards, through applying to be a Councillor or being voted onto the Executive Board, seeing to the successful and diverse operations of the BCITSA.
The BCITSA also hosts a wide range of clubs, including the Outdoor Club, Indigenous Culture Club, and LGBTQ+. There is also the opportunity to become a contributor to Link for the writers, photographers, designers, and illustrators among us to get involved. Clubs and organizations offer great ways to meet people who share common interests and goals. They also give us the chance to diversify by experiencing something new. Within the clubs, there are opportunities to be more involved by taking on leadership roles and overseeing successful operations.
Participating in any of the programs the BCITSA offers gives students a chance to practice networking and gain experience in areas of their choosing, including leadership and community development. I volunteered to be the Set Rep for my class because I have a passion for meeting new people and learning from every experience. There is so much to learn if we know when to listen and so much to gain if we know when to speak up.
As a Set Rep, I’ve become more confident in sharing my observations, as well as listening to the needs of my peers. Attending meetings has allowed me to gain a better understanding of how student government functions. I look forward to networking opportunities within the BCIT community, which will help me pursue my goals as I study to become an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer.
We don’t need to be afraid to participate or be leaders.
Participating within our community and accepting leadership responsibility can be a lot of work. However, the fulfillment that comes when we are successful is what makes it worth it. We witness our peers succeed in part due to our contribution to their development. We see an idea through from beginning to end, successfully managing all the complications along the way with grace. When things don’t go as planned, we have our community to lift us back up. And the trust that is given and received when we are recognized for our participation or leadership can be incredibly impactful.
The world needs more people willing to participate and lead. The more we participate within our communities, the more influence we will have to take positive action that helps to promote change, which benefits everyone around us. Participating in BCITSA programs is a great opportunity if we have the capacity and passion to make the world better for everyone. The way we start is by showing up, participating, and learning everything we can during our time at BCIT, which will benefit our future endeavours.
