The UCLA Anderson community is made up of a truly diverse group of students and faculty. But if there's one thing we all have in common, it's that we're here to lead. Leadership is central to almost every course offered on campus, and it's something we've all reflected on in our application essays and interviews. However, leadership isn't just talked about, it's put into action through countless opportunities with student-led clubs and school events.
2014 ASA President, Brian Schoelkopf
What's great is that these opportunities aren't limited to upperclassmen. For example, take my first-year classmate, Brian 
Schoelkopf. Recently, he was elected President of the Anderson Student Association (ASA). From this spring, he and 12 other first-year students will serve on the ASA Cabinet and become the voice of Anderson's entire student body - before reaching their second year on campus! These types of opportunities extend to professional clubs like High Tech Business Association and Management Consulting Association, identity clubs like African American Students in Management and Out@Anderson, and interest clubs like Wine Club and Anderson Eats.
Although the new ASA Cabinet was elected earlier this month, the majority of leadership opportunities begin from the first days on campus. Student-led clubs all elect first-year students to serve as Directors of important functional areas like Finance, Marketing and - most importantly! - Social. These roles allow you to make an immediate impact on campus, connect with your second-year classmates, and are a great way to try out new areas of interest. They're also tried-and-true fodder for summer internship interviews.
With 100s of opportunities to get involved and LEAD as a first-year student, anyone with an interest and a can-do spirit can gain leadership experience and help establish Anderson's next generation of business leaders.
Daniel Genter, MBA '15 - Follow UCLA Anderson on Twitter.
