Learning how to craft an elevator pitch and network effectively was incredibly valuable. Understanding how to network properly and efficiently is an essential skill, especially in Washington D.C. and on Capitol Hill. This skill has stayed with me throughout high school, college, and now in my professional career. I am truly grateful to 21CL for teaching me and other high school students these important skills at such a crucial stage in our lives
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Our Alumni Spotlight for October 2022 is Kristin Strother! A graduate of Young Americans Christian School (2016) and of Georgia Southern University (2020), Kristin currently works for Mercedes-Benz USA as Critical Parts Coordinator; she loves volunteering and was at our 2022 Charity Golf Outing! While in high school Kristin participated in many of 21CL’s programs. “It was a new experience and not like any I had ever had before. I learned how to network, make friends and ask questions. These are skills that I carried with me and have helped me a great deal in where I am today.” – Kristin Strother
Paint a brief picture of what you are doing now.
My name is Kristin Strother. I was born and raised in Georgia and graduated with a BBA in Information Systems from Georgia Southern University. Currently, I work for Mercedes-Benz USA as Critical Parts Coordinator in the Parts Logistics department. My role is pretty data-focused which consists of managing the database, analyzing the data and communicating my findings in order to facilitate data-driven decisions.
How did participation in 21CL transform you and lead you to where you are now?
21CL was my first big interview process. It showed me that I could get through an interview and that interviews weren’t always scary. I participated in a summer program that was my first time away from home in a facility that wasn’t a cabin or camping. I had to carry myself in a professional setting, manage my own time, and reach out to others on my own. I believe that going through the 21CL process provided me with the confidence in myself that has carried me through to where I am today and where I will go in the future.
Which programs did you participate in? How did the skills/tools/perspectives you acquired from 21CL prepare you for your next steps?
In 2014, I participated in Leadership Unplugged: A CNN Experience (now called the Warner Bros. Discovery Future Leaders Institute), [a 21CL service project cleaning up the] Atlanta Beltline, and other workshops that were held. It was a new experience and not like any I had ever had before. I learned how to network, make friends and ask questions. These are skills that I carried with me and have helped me a great deal in where I am today. In hindsight, I guess the biggest lesson I learned was how to make myself heard. I listened through all of the sessions with the professionals and had conversations at the end. When I needed clarity, I asked a question. This main lesson is what guided me through all of the experiences and opportunities I’ve had thus far.
Did you have a memorable or ‘aha’ moment during your time at 21CL?
I remember going to my interview at Georgia Tech and being so nervous. Then, I was sitting in there with all the other kids thinking of what questions they might ask and how I might answer them, and then I remember someone asking a question like ‘Can you walk like a duck’ or something like that. Funny thing is, the management team at the company I’m at now asks off-the-wall questions like that all the time. Maybe not to walk like a duck, but something that throws off the monotony of being in a serious environment and helps people to relax. Anyway, I got to meet so many people, both peers and professionals with different backgrounds; we all landed in the same room. I loved just conversing and listening to all the people and I made some really great friends!
Did 21CL assist you in developing a leadership style that makes you an effective leader? If so, how? And have you recently learned something else about leadership? Please Share!
21st Century Leaders has great programs and it empowered me with leadership skills at an early age. Skills such as networking, listening, communication, on-your-feet problem solving, and letting go didn’t resonate with me until I attended the 21CL Summer Leadership Institute in 2014; and it wasn’t until I was navigating through college, working, balancing my own schedule, and job hunting that I realized the power that those lessons actually held. So, I would say yes, 21CL assisted in making me an effective leader.
Many new principles about leadership have been presented to me along the way, however, there are two things that are prevalent in my mind. One is learning to let go of control. Let go, but not too much. Allow other people to help you and if something isn’t done exactly the way you would do it, it’s okay. The second is sometimes the other person is just going to be upset…no matter what. I struggle with this one a lot. I’m such a people pleaser and love to make everyone happy, but sometimes it’s just not possible. You will hold yourself, and sometimes your team, back by trying to please every person.
Jacque-Corey Cormier, Ph.D. is our first alumni spotlight for June 2019! A graduate of Southwest DeKalb High School (2006), Morehouse College (2010, Masters), Georgia Southern (2012), and of Georgia State University (2017, PhD) He currently works as a clinical Assistant Professor at Georgia State University in the School of Public Health. Jacque-Corey also serves on the inaugural 21CL Junior Board and has served as 21CL Summer staff for more than 13 years. He says he serves on the 21CL Junior Board so he can advance the mission of 21st Century Leaders and assist in the development of youth.
How did participating in 21CL transform you and lead you to where you are now?
21CL transformed how I thought about leadership and influence. The person who knows when to ask less talkative people for their input, how to motivate a team towards a common goal, and how to ensure that group members get something out of their contributions has more influence than a person with the title and selfish intentions.
And how did 21CL prepare you for your next steps? Going into college and taking on leadership roles, heading into a new era of professionalism, etc. What skills/tools/perspectives have helped you along the way?
21CL prepared me for college and graduate school as I had to take a lot of personal initiative to get research and professional experiences. From networking to group projects, my academic career was filled with opportunities to lead others. I have served as president for a couple of student organizations and in other executive roles for others.
Which programs did you participate in, and when? What skills did you gain or improve through those programs?
Between the summers of 2003 and 2005, I attended summer leadership institutes at Oglethorpe College, Southern Polytechnic College, and Georgia Southern University. I became more aware of college settings and a better communicator.
What was a memorable or ‘aha’ moment in 21CL? (Particular program, meeting a professional and diverse peers, speaking in public for the first time, etc.?)
My senior year (2005) Bob Watson, founding executive director, led an activity where we had to work in groups to build a Lego helicopter. The one person who saw the final Lego product was not allowed to speak unless someone asked him/her a question. We did not realize that the non-talker had the most useless information until midway through the activity. Those who talk less hear more, so never forget to include them in group decisions.
Did 21CL assist you in developing a leadership style that makes you an effective leader? if so how? And have you recently learned something else about leadership? Please share!
I completed my Community Psychology Ph.D. dissertation on transformational leadership development, so I could write several pages on leadership styles. I have learned that transformational leadership, the style of leadership 21CL teaches, is the one most associated with favorable outcomes, i.e. task deliverables, employee satisfaction, and group member engagement.
Our second Alumni Spotlight for the month of October is Peyton Callanan who is the Marketing Manager at 360 Smart Networks, and is a graduate of Effingham County High School (2010) and of Georgia Southern University (2014). Peyton strongly believes that having a mentor you count on and who gives good advice and constructive criticism plays a very important role in one’s professional success. Read on to find out more on what she has learned about leadership and how 21CL influenced her career direction.
Paint a brief picture of what you are doing now.
I am the marketing manager for a boutique IT company that provides IT solutions including security, backup, support and special projects to small and medium businesses in Metro Atlanta. I help generate leads for our sales team by managing our website, branding, advertising, social media, email and direct mail campaigns, and creating content for our blog.
How did participating in 21CL transform you and lead you to where you are now?
21st Century Leaders exposed me to a wide variety of career paths and gave me the opportunity to meet and learn from professionals in those fields. It also helped build my confidence and motivated me to go after the career I wanted.
And how did 21CL prepare you for your next steps? Going into college and taking on leadership roles, heading into a new era of professionalism, etc. What tools/perspectives have helped you along the way?
I went to high school in a pretty rural area. 21st Century Leaders was one of the first experiences I had connecting and collaborating with other ambitious students outside of my small circle of friends. I was inspired by the time I spent working with and learning from the other students, especially ones from different backgrounds I wouldn’t have met otherwise.
That experience made the transition into college less jarring. It also motivated me to join student organizations so I could be involved on campus and meet new people.
Which programs did you participate in, and when?
I did Leadership Unplugged (now known as the Turner Voices Youth Media Institute) in 2009.
What was a memorable or ‘aha’ moment in 21CL? (Particular program, meeting a professional, etc.?)
I have two!
Prior to attending Leadership Unplugged, I thought I was going to major in journalism in college. There was a marketing panel that week that really sparked my interest and led me to consider that as a career path. I don’t remember exactly what the panelists said, but I do remember hearing one man explain his career and thinking, “that’s what I want to do and I never had the words for it before.”
I came back as part of the Summer Leadership Team right after I graduated college. During the leadership dinner at Earthcare, all of the panelists agreed unanimously that having a mentor they could count on to give them good advice and constructive criticism played a huge role in their professional success. That always stuck with me as I began my own career after college. I am very appreciative of the guidance my mentors have given me and how that has shaped me as a person.
Did 21CL assist you in developing a leadership style that makes you an effective leader today, how? And have you recently learned something else about leadership? Please share!
I am a big believer in teamwork and collaboration. My summer leadership program was one of the first experiences I had collaborating on a project with peers and the memory of being proud of what we had created together really stuck with me.
Recently, I realized that you have lead by example because you never know who you have an impact on. I am striving to be more generous with my time, kind with my words and confident in my work.