The experiences I have had throughout my time at the University of South Carolina have shaped not only the career I want to pursue, but also the type of leader I want to be within that career. My four key insights have taught me that people are at the center of successful organizations, preparation creates the foundation for success, communication connects every part of an organization, and leadership is built through trust and responsibility. While I learned about each of these ideas in the classroom, my experiences outside of the classroom gave me the opportunity to understand what they actually look like when working with real people and organizations.

As I begin pursuing a career in Human Resources, I want to apply what I have learned by putting people at the center of the decisions I make. My experience with staffing at Peak Events showed me that recruiting and hiring should be about more than filling an open position. The people selected for a team eventually become the people responsible for representing an organization and carrying out its goals. As a future HR professional, I want to take the time to find people who are not only qualified for a position, but who can positively contribute to the organization and the people around them. I also want employees to feel that their value to an organization continues after the hiring process is complete.

Preparation and communication will also play a large role in how I lead. My experiences in event operations have taught me how many problems can be prevented by preparing people before they are placed into a situation. I want to make sure employees understand their responsibilities, expectations, and available resources instead of expecting them to figure everything out on their own. At the same time, communication cannot only move from a leader to an employee. I want the people I work with to feel comfortable asking questions, sharing ideas, and communicating concerns. Some of my best professional experiences have been in environments where I felt comfortable communicating with the people leading me, and I want to create that same environment for others.

One practice I plan to carry into my own leadership style is giving people opportunities to take ownership of their work. During my internship with Peak, I was given projects that challenged me while still having access to guidance when I needed it. As I proved that I could handle those responsibilities, I was trusted with larger ones. That experience made me more confident in my abilities and eventually allowed me to take on responsibilities in staffing, recruiting, hiring, and tournament operations. I want to provide similar opportunities to people I lead because I have personally seen how much someone can grow when a leader shows that they trust them.

Ultimately, I want my leadership to be reflected in the success and development of the people around me. Whether I eventually work in Human Resources for a professional sports organization, an event venue, or an event as large as the Winter Olympic Games, I know that the organization will depend on people with very different responsibilities working toward the same goal. My role as a leader will be to help find those people, prepare them to succeed, communicate with them, and trust them to use their own abilities. My experiences at USC have taught me that leadership is not about being the most important person in an organization. I want to be the person who helps other people understand how important they are to the organization and gives them the opportunity to do their best work.