Westminster Students Gain Edge in Job Market with New Leadership Program

An innovative new approach to leadership is giving Westminster College students an edge in the job market and acceptance to graduate programs and professional schools.

No other college or university is believed to offer such a comprehensive and impactful program for all students as the Price Leadership Program.

“The Price Leadership Program allows students to be reflective about the amazing ways they are growing and changing during their Westminster experience,” says Dr. David Jones, who is administrating the program.  “When they graduate, our students will have a record of growth and accomplishment that they can share with prospective employers and graduate and professional schools.”

The program offers all Westminster students the opportunity to compile a clear, thoughtful assessment of the coursework, events, people, organizations and tasks of their academic journey in five different areas within a an e-portfolio: intellectual, ethical, professional, social and wellness.

However, students are required to do more than just record activities and achievements as in a standard e-portfolio.  They must think about the elements of each experience and analyze what it means to their development as a student, a professional and a person.

For example, senior Michael Applegate from Mountain Grove, MO spent the summer of 2012 working in the Kansas City blighted area, Ivanhoe, as a Coro intern and has entered that in her e-portfolio, along with a film clip of the group’s work.

Prospective employers or graduate schools examining Applegate’s e-portfolio would also learn how her experience with the Missouri state legislature as a lobbyist’s intern led her to help create a Westminster Capital Internship Program so more students could become involved in state government and about the 16 state road trip she took one summer as an student ambassador for Westminster.

“These Westminster student e-portfolios will stand out above the customary resume to offer an employer a clear picture of our students’ leadership skills, personality and character as well as their achievements,” says Dr. Carolyn  Perry, Senior Vice President of the College and Dean of Faculty.

Another unique feature of the Price Leadership Program is the assignment of Westminster alumni as mentors to review students’ e-portfolios in their sophomore and senior years, giving them the benefit of their real world perspective and coaching the students on their progress.

The innovative Price Leadership Program was made possible due to the generosity of Westminster alumni Rob Price, ’65 and Al Sikes, ’61 and his wife Marty.

“As an employer with a position to fill, I may receive one hundred resumes,” says Price.  “Yet none of them stand out.  Our new leadership program will provide prospective employers with tangible proof that the Westminster candidate has outstanding leadership skills.  I want our graduates to have the confidence that they can get a job in a tough market, and I want businesses and graduate schools to know Westminster is turning out leaders they can count on.”