What is the LeADERS program?
ODU’s LeADERS program is a one of a kind program that emphasizes Learning through Active Discovery, Engagement, Reflection, and Showcase. It is an opportunity for ODU undergraduate students experience their education through methods that reinforce and practice Leadership, Applied-work based learning, Diversity, Entrepreneurship, Research, and Service Learning. Classes with these attributes expects students to be challenged and engaged with the topics and issues they are learning. Events and experiences are expected to prepare and instill professionalism and competency in students. LeADERS aims to offer students an avenue to develop their professional skill set to ensure they are the best candidate for the position. This is all culminated with an ePortfolio (like this) to help students showcase their accomplishments and illuminate their skill sets.
LeADERS‘ Reflection on my Professional Development
For me, the LeADERS program was something I stumbled upon by total accident. I was attending a career and internship fair in the Fall of 2024. I had arrived super early because I wanted to be prepared since this was not an experience I yet had. While attempting to check in, I was told it was too early for regular students. This is when I was approached by one of the individuals in charge of the LeADERS program and was informed all about what it was and the exciting opportunities it offered, including early check-in to the career fair. I decided to join the program, and from there, those a part of the LeADERS program were able to enter the fair, familiarize themselves with the set up of the fair, and got to take part in a mock pitch to one of the employer booth. This was a pivotal moment for me because taking part in this experience demonstrated to me the key points I needed for an effective pitch, as well as, giving me the confidence to present myself to possible future employers that I am a top candidate.
The themes that began to emerge over the course of my experience with LeADERS relate to that of being a leader and the importance of quality research. My experience with leadership in this program was examined and challenged while taking a LeADERS course entitled “Cybersecurity Ethics”. This course explored various topics ranging from professional ethics to cyberwar and required us to use ethical reasoning to explain and justify our position on these topics. By the end of this course, it was apparent to me that as a cybersecurity professional, I have an obligation to uphold certain standards like public safety and I need to be someone who goes forth and leads by example. This course examined situations where decisions must be made given the leadership role professionals take on and I needed to back those decisions using ethical reasoning. This course really emphasize the importance and influence professional take on and in order to be a strong leader, we need to have sound ethical reasoning for our decisions.
The importance of quality research was illustrated in a LeADERS course entitled, “Interdisciplinary Theory and Concepts”. In my previous health science education, I have had experience with research, as one does in most science fields. But after taking this course, I have come to learn the importance of quality and encompassing research. This course broke down step by step the interdisciplinary research process; a process that pull from different disciplines to incorporate various insights on a complex problem or issue, to which yields an integrated, unique perspective to the issue. I learned from this course how so many issues and problems are influenced by many factors and require an interdisciplinary approach to best address them. Additionally, by limiting research to one discipline limits the perspective of the problem as a whole. Limiting the perspective can greatly hinder diversity and advancement.
As a result of these LeADERS courses I have taken through the course of my education, they have taught me different aspects of my profession that I do not believe I would have noticed with just a standard technical education. They have imbibed me with a broader perspective of what it means to be a cybersecurity professional.
LeADERS Impact on Professional Development
As previously stated, my experiences with the LeADERS program opened my eyes to insights I might not have picked up well through the course of studies without the addition of the program. Therefore, I plan to pay extra attention to details that involve leadership roles and research. I will evaluate the decisions made in my professional life so they align with my ethical and moral obligations as a professional. I will approach complex problems or issues with a interdisciplinary approach to avoid limiting possible outcomes and/or solutions. I believe these skills will ensure I am well rounded and competent professional in the cybersecurity realm.