Leading Off Campus

Success is more than just your GPA, it’s skills plus connections. Leading Off Campus is aimed at bridging the gap between collegiate students and local industry to increase retention of collegiate talent to the region, while equipping them with the core competencies they need to excel in their first professional roles. Leading Off Campus is a semester-long program consisting of unique, skill-building sessions during the summer.

Program Overview

For Employers: This program helps to bridge the gap that is highlighted by many employers that say the students they hire do not have the core competencies for career readiness required for entry level positions. Leading Off Campus can also be a pipeline to help employers find the qualified candidates they are looking for when recruiting within the region.

For Students: This program helps to give students the necessary soft skills and career readiness opportunities that employers are looking for when recruiting. This program also provides networking opportunities and the ability to explore parts of Lynchburg region and businesses in the area.

What You’ll Learn

Participants will learn NACE competencies, including:

Critical thinking
Oral and written communication
Work Ethic
Career Management
Intercultural Fluency
Leadership and soft skills
Personal development and professional growth.
How to bridge the gap between collegiate boundaries and regional employers
Community Pride and Ownership
Awareness of the Lynchburg region
Leadership Lynchburg’s core values of personal growth, influence, and impact

Leadership Lynchburg is deeply committed to actively supporting your efforts in encouraging diverse students to participate in our program, recognizing the immense value they bring. Our goal is to not only encourage students of diverse backgrounds and experiences to participate in our internship program but also to facilitate meaningful connections between these talented individuals and our vibrant community, providing them with opportunities to see themselves not only as interns but as valued contributors and future leaders within our organizations. By making DEI a priority, we aim to create an environment where all individuals, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, disability, or religion, feel supported and empowered to pursue their career goals with confidence and readiness and to ensure they envision themselves as integral members beyond their internship experience.

Eligibility

Students are eligible for the Leading Off Campus program if they meet one of the following criteria:

The Student is an enrolled college undergraduate student (Sophomore and above).
The Student is a graduate student with no real relevant work history.

Students must also have a minimum 2.75 GPA and have demonstrated leadership experience on campus or in the community.

Schedule

Noon-5 p.m., Wed. June 12

Kick Off Session! Get ready for an amazing summer!

Location: Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance

1-5 p.m., Wed., June 19

“Brand Matters”
Communicating who you are
Professionalism and Work Ethic

“Mentors Matter”
Leaning into coaching and feedback
Learning from experience

1-5 p.m., Tues., July 2

“Culture Matters”
Global/Cultural Fluency
Inclusive leadership

“You Matter”
Career Expectations and Management

1-5 p.m., Wed., July 17

“Community Matters”
Connecting with LYH
Servant leadership

“The Future Matters”
Critical thinking/problem- solving
Effective teams

5:30 p.m.-8 p.m., Wed., July 24

Graduation Dinner & Ceremony!

** In addition to these sessions, you’ll get to experience two VIP socials over the course of the summer!

** Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from sessions. All session locations and agendas will be sent prior to each session.

Cost

$400

Ask Your Employer Or School To Cover Tuition

We encourage interested applicants to reach out to your employer, manager, or school to see if they will cover your costs under training and development! Nowhere else can you get this level of months of leadership training at this low of a cost. Plus, you’ll bring skills back to your job or class that will help your teams improve.