The Journal of College and University Student Housing - Volume 37, No. 2 - 60

David M. Rosch • Joshua D. Lawrie

good participant . . . is not necessarily saying everything that comes to mind but being able to weigh when something is really important and worth being shared.” She learned the importance of seeing the bigger picture of a

A participant currently responsible for marketing in a mid-size professional organization reflected upon his realization that leading an organization is not always about his needs . He explained that one of the most salient aspects of his learning included “Being able to learn the perspective of ‘it’s not all about me.’ It’s about everyone.”

university (Kuh & Lund, 1994). As one participant commented, “You learn a lot about things like negotiation of the university system and having to learn how to deal with this office and that office.” This skill was also beneficial to alumni once they left the university and started professional positions that required them to work within complex organizations and bureaucracy.

Interpersonal skills. Through their ex-

meeting, due in part to her experience with the community council. She also realized that she did not have to speak up every time in order to be an active member of the meeting or organization. This proved to be a great asset for a number of the participants as they navigated the professional world. The ability to be successful working within a cumbersome system was also an important skill that they remembered learning through their hall government experiences. Student leaders on campus are often responsible for leading large-scale programs, requiring them to navigate bureaucratic systems within the
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periences in community councils, alumni reflected on how one person’s actions can have an impact on the entire team. The participants interviewed talked about how, through their community council experience, they had to be responsible and accountable to others because they comprehended that others were relying on them. A participant currently responsible for marketing in a mid-size professional organization reflected upon his realization that leading an organization is not always about his needs. He explained that one of the most salient aspects of his learning included “Being able to learn the perspective of ‘it’s not all about me.’ It’s about everyone. So, what we’re doing here is about creating a positive change throughout [the campus].” This respondent was able to articulate how community councils helped him learn that leadership was not about personal gains, but about holistically impacting one’s community. Participants also acknowledged that they could not be experts in all areas and had to rely on others. This ability to understand one’s weaknesses and to see how others can contribute was a common theme that emerged throughout the interviews. Four of the six alumni talked about how they relied on others to assist them in being successful in their current jobs. They

THE JOURNAL OF COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY STUDENT HOUSING

The Journal of College and University Student Housing - Volume 37, No. 2

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