Growing Through Leadership: My Evolving Experience in a Managerial Role

Written by: Ashley Curvelo

Introduction: From Uncertainty to Confidence

In my last blog, I shared my early experience as a class manager, navigating the unfamiliar waters of leadership. At that time, I was still learning what it meant to be in a leadership role, feeling uncertain about how much of an impact I could make. However, since then, my experience has transformed. I’ve gained a stronger sense of what it means to lead and support both my professor and fellow students, stepping up to new challenges that helped me understand the responsibilities of being in this position. By the end of this phase, I felt incredibly proud of myself for going above and beyond, taking on extra responsibilities, and being there for my class in ways I hadn’t anticipated.

Stepping Up During Presentations: Supporting Peers and Professor

Presentations were one of the most enjoyable aspects of my role. During this time, I had the chance to directly support students, answering any questions or concerns they had about their assignments. It was rewarding to help others navigate the challenges they faced, especially since the work we had to do as a class could be overwhelming. One area where I could contribute was helping students stay organized amidst numerous assignments. 

 

At the beginning, there was confusion about assignment deadlines and the structure of group work. Many students were absent when we initially created groups, raising concerns about team fairness and balance. However, with communication and collaboration, we were able to agree on group compositions that everyone felt comfortable with. During these moments, I realized the importance of staying organized—not only as a manager but also as a student—and I made it my responsibility to keep track of details and provide clarity for the entire class.

The Brochure: An Introduction to Our Big Project

After setting up the agenda, we moved on to the brochure, which served as an introduction to the bigger project: group presentations. This part of the process was a bit confusing for some students, as they initially thought the brochure was the same as the presentation itself. In reality, the brochure was a summary, offering a glimpse into each group’s chosen topic without going into too much detail. My role involved clarifying these differences and ensuring everyone understood that the brochure was simply an overview, not the final project. 

 

Seeing the brochure come together felt like a victory, as it was the beginning of a larger assignment I’d soon take on—a video compilation of all the presentations. Though I was excited, I was also nervous, as I knew it would be a challenging project.

Tackling the Big Video Project: Lessons in Patience and Perseverance 

Creating a video compilation of presentations from multiple classes was no small task. Initially, I doubted my ability to manage such a large-scale project, especially considering the challenges I’d already faced as a class manager. But as I mentioned in my last blog, I wanted to push myself and gain new experiences, so I took it on with determination.

 

This project turned out to be the most demanding part of my role so far. The first major obstacle was gathering the videos from students across several classes. Despite setting a clear deadline, over half of the students missed it, which meant I had to spend hours waiting and following up with class managers. I wanted to include as many groups as possible, so I waited patiently, but it was clear that meeting deadlines was a challenge for many students. If I had been leading the class independently, I may not have extended the deadline, but I also didn’t want to leave anyone behind.

 

Once the videos started coming in, a new challenge arose. Many students submitted videos that didn’t follow the guidelines; some were too long, and others were missing essential content or were formatted incorrectly. This made the compilation process much more difficult, as I had to go back and request adjustments. My communication skills were put to the test as I had to guide both students and class managers, providing feedback and encouraging everyone to meet the requirements. 

 

My primary goal was to help each group succeed, so I made it my duty to give constructive feedback that would help students maximize their grades. This required persistence, patience, and a focus on the end goal. Ultimately, I was able to complete the video, though it took significantly more time and effort than I’d initially anticipated.

Participating in the Event: A Rewarding Experience

Once the compilation was done, it was time for the event where the presentations were shared. Although I couldn’t attend the entire event, I was able to see students actively participating, expressing their opinions, and engaging with the content. It was rewarding to see the project come to life and witness the sense of accomplishment among my peers. I felt proud of the part I’d played in bringing everything together and grateful for the opportunity to support my class.

 

Looking back, this entire process was a valuable learning experience. I discovered strengths in myself that I hadn’t been aware of—particularly my ability to manage, guide others, and stay committed to a task even when faced with numerous obstacles. This experience also taught me the importance of patience, as dealing with multiple deadlines, reformatting, and feedback cycles required resilience and adaptability.

Final Reflections: Growth and Gratitude

In many ways, this experience as a class manager has increased my confidence in my ability to lead and support others. It has been an ongoing lesson in communication, organization, and perseverance. I’m grateful to have taken on responsibilities that helped me grow and build new skills, and I’m especially proud of the dedication I showed in seeing this project through to the end. 

 

Through this journey, I learned the importance of maintaining a positive attitude and staying organized, as well as the value of pushing through challenges even when things get tough. For anyone hesitant to take on a leadership role or step out of their comfort zone, I would say that the rewards are well worth the effort. This experience has reminded me that every challenge brings a lesson, and I’m excited to see where these new skills will take me next.