Undergraduate / Consider your talents strengths academic and otherwise. What is one thing you do [5]

really well?
Please offer some input, thanks.

I believe that leadership is a talent. Granted, it is a talent that can be improved on through training and practice, but a talent nonetheless. During the summer of my junior year, I discovered that I may have the kind of leadership talent that I would like to hone at Ohio State.

That summer, I took part in a summer camp called the National Student Leadership Conference. One of the activities was a management team simulation in which each group tries to create a virtual product that accrues the most profit because of its suitability to market preferences. A teaching assistant created six groups of nine people each. We were given 5 days to finish the project.

During the first team meeting, my group remained quiet. Having read the background materials beforehand, I took the initiative to lead the group. I recommended that we form three committees: one group would be in charge of R&D and create the product, another group would be in charge of financing and funding the product, and the last group would be in charge of marketing and promoting the product. To make sure each subgroup had the right people in it, I first asked each team member to talk about their strengths and interests. I then appointed each person to the committee most suited to them.

I then developed a prospectus outlining how we should tackle the project. First, I proposed to adopt a system in which we use two equations to determine the general preference of the public and to find the path the product is taking. These equations would be the responsibility of the R&D group. To the finance team, I suggested that we could attain more funds by selling stocks, bonds and taking loans. I later suggested to the marketing group different channels that we could use to promote our product, including TV and radio ads, store shelves, text messages After acknowledging their tasks, the team quickly assumed their responsibilities.

According to plan, our team placed first in profits, day after day. By the end of the simulation period, we were awarded with certificates for achieving first place.

That experience, actually being recognized by my peers for having leadership qualities, encouraged me to seek more leadership opportunities at my school. Today, not only do I stand strong as a leader in school, I also demonstrate my leadership through activities such as Roots and Shoots and Teen's Act for AIDS, which require one to take initiative and give ideas to support the environment and community we live in.

Although I have demonstrated leadership skills throughout my high school education, it is premature to claim that I am a leader. At the age of 17, there is a world of experiences and opportunities awaiting me, and I believe that with my nascent leadership abilities, I will be able to prove myself as a worthy leader in the future.