The great Robert Kennedy once said, “This world demands the qualities of youth: not a time of life but a state of mind, a temper of the will, a quality of imagination, a predominance of courage over timidity, of the appetite for adventure over the love of ease.”
The youth is the future. High school students, in particular, are at the prime age of transformation. They are at the cusp of shaping their lives into a more impactful and meaningful one.
Youth leadership opportunities for high school students
Leadership is one trait today’s youth must hone. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to do that. If you’re someone who wants to improve your leadership skills, here are a few tips on how to start:
1. Identify your passion
You may have a lot of interests, but you only have one or two passions. Be it sports, technology or music, following your passion is a good place to start. It may sound superficial now, but you’d be surprised how much you can do. It sets your drive and challenges you to go beyond your comfort zone.
Just remember that leadership isn’t always about multiple awards and being a jack-of-all-trades. It’s also about focusing your efforts on one thing and impacting change through it.
2. Be committed
Leadership means being in it for the long haul. It won’t always be a smooth ride. There will always be road bumps ahead. That’s why you need commit. No matter the hardships, it will get you through and come out better.
Stay committed to your passion. It’s what sets you apart from the rest. For example, a long-time member of an athletic club is far better than serving as a vice president for just a couple of months.
3. Seek opportunities
Joining a club in your school is a good place to start. However, leadership is also about growth. Taking on new ground is what will mold you to become more knowledgeable and experienced, both of which prepare you for the future.
Seek leadership opportunities outside of school. If your passion is community service, clubs like Key Club, NAACP, 4-H and even Girl/Boy Scouts will help improve your skills and provide you with more experience. There are also a lot of youth leadership organizations you can join to develop your leadership skills.
4. Join youth leadership seminars
Part of igniting youth leadership among high school students is through attending seminars. Here, you will know other future leaders as well as be inspired by current ones. Moreover, these leadership programs will open your eyes to the many ways you can spark change even just in your local area.
Some of the best youth seminars are Students Today Leaders Forever, LeaderShip U, The Brown Leadership Institute, and National Student Leadership Conference: Mastering Leadership.
We hope you find your calling as a youth leader and continuously be driven to spark positive change.
