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Congratulations to 2020 Leadership Studies graduate, Josh Lamberty!

Author: rcooney

Josh Lamberty will receive a Leadership Studies Minor and a degree in Journalism from Iowa State University. Josh also worked as a TA for the Leadership Studies 322 in 2019. Congratulations, Josh!

What are your career plans after graduation?

I plan on working in local television news as a reporter after graduation. I’m hoping to stay in the Midwest region to be close to family. It’s a privilege to meet new people every day and share their incredible stories of everyday life in the community.

 

What other goals do you have for your life after graduation (hobbies, travel, self-improvement, etc.)? 

I love backpacking and camping. I’d really like to take a trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in northern Minnesota before I start working or within the next year after graduation. I’m also a big baseball fan (Go Brewers!), so getting back to a game or two in Milwaukee is on the priority list. But most importantly, I hope to stay connected with the friends and faculty who have helped me grow so much in this program. Now’s when we can really start to put our knowledge to the test.

What was your favorite Leadership Studies class? And why?

By far, my favorite class was Dr. Tony Andenoro’s LD ST 322 class at 8am. I was his TA, but Tony brought so much energy to the early morning class. We had so much fun and engagement in the class, some great discussions, and a great learning energy every day from start to finish. Tony tried new things and let the students take charge of their learning. I learned so much about teaching leadership that semester, and it was a great way for me to practice the skills I learned in 322 just two semesters earlier.

How do you feel Leadership Studies has made an impact on you?

The Leadership Studies program has helped me to become a better follower. Followership is just as important when it comes to defining leadership. Leadership requires followership, and followers are dependent on leadership. It’s an important relationship that must be considered in every project, team, and workplace environment in order to achieve success. I’ve learned how to be a better follower, found examples of it in my life, and have turned around and shared those experiences with future students in my three semesters as a TA. If anything, the courses in the program have humbled me to have the trust of my followers and empowered me to work even harder to see them succeed.

What activities, clubs, groups were you a member of at ISU?

Community Advisor in Geoffroy Hall for 3 years, Executive Board Member of Greenlee School TV for 4 years, Teaching Assistant for the Leadership Studies Program for 3 semesters, Member of ISU Police Department’s Student Advisory Board.

What is your favorite memory from being at ISU? 

My favorite ISU memory was from my freshman year. Greenlee School TV produced a 3-hour-long live election broadcast in November 2016 on election night. I was sent to Des Moines with another student, and together we provided live updates at the Democratic headquarters for Iowa. The 25 people we had helping out that night got me excited about doing journalism as my chosen career. I made some great connections, and the rush of getting my projects done on a tight deadline is addicting!

Do you have any other memories or thoughts about Leadership Studies that you would like to share? 

I’ve studied under some of the best professors in this department. My experience as a TA really helped solidify the skills we teach in the classroom. It’s one thing to master a concept for a quiz or paper; it’s another to master it so much to feel confident teaching it to a room full of students. The faculty in this department empower us to be leaders in the classroom just as much as the faculty are. You don’t find that in every department on campus. Thank you to the faculty for making every minute in the classroom worth it.

What would you say to someone considering a Leadership Studies minor or certificate?

DO IT! Leadership is more than what you think. Leadership is a life skill that more employees need and more employers seek. Challenge yourself to think differently, creatively, and innovatively. The faculty will challenge you, but the real growth will come when you put those ideas into practice outside the classroom. Leadership is more than theories in a textbook; Leadership is a way of life.