“You’re walking across the red carpet with hundreds of camera flashes beaming into your eyes. Having spent hours on your outfit and attire, thousands of people are waiting for your premier movie to come out. Your friends, your family, people that are important to you have all come to support your debut on the big screen. Everyone is extremely excited and ready to see your big moment. What is that movie about?
It’s the story of your life.
The biggest event of the year where millions were waiting for was this single movie, the one from your birth to where you stand right now. Knowing this, what have you done in your life for so many people to anxiously anticipate learning about you? What impact have you made on others? On the world?”
This is exactly what AIESEC strives to accomplish every day. Impacting the world, one person at a time.
Being the world’s largest student-run organization with millions of alumni, AIESEC provides local and international leadership opportunities through exchange internships. I heard this self-movie metaphor for the first time over this Thanksgiving long weekend, first said by Ahmad Khan, AIESEC alumni from the University of Toronto. From early summer, I took on the responsibility of being on the Organizing Committee as the Project Manager of AIESEC’s first student-run, youth leadership development conference, INSPIRE gen2015. Targeting senior high school students and first-year business students, INSPIRE gen2015 was dedicated to facilitating conversations about global issues between young leaders of tomorrow.
My goal was to inspire at least one individual; for one individual to walk away continuously thinking, dreaming of how they want to influence the world. Instead, I was the one to be inspired. Seeing the students go from shy, reserved individuals to speaking out in front of the whole delegation was an extremely rewarding experience. Their growth in character was more than visible and the simple thank you emails was more than enough to compensate for all the hours spent working and stressing.
INSPIRE gen2015 was held in conjunction with AIESEC’s Western Regional Development Conference (WRC), a four-day conference bringing together 200 delegates from 9 universities in the West. Being in the midst of so many passionate and likeminded individuals only strengthened my motivation and willingness to want to be the change I want to see in the world.
From being inspired by our next local leaders at INSPIRE gen2015 to forming life-long friendships with delegates at WRC, this weekend was an unforgettable experience. With this learning experience, there are three takeaways that I believe in. Firstly, take that first step, because one step is all you need to open up a window of opportunities. You have a world to gain and nothing to lose. Secondly, surround yourself with driven, passionate individuals. This easily creates a domino effect of inspiration in becoming innovative, growing leaders. Create a supportive community for yourself to ensure accountability for each other. Thirdly, don’t regret and dream big. Look beyond what you think is possible. You will never regret doing your best and striving for better, but you will regret being complacent and not taking risks.
It’s your Oscar-winning movie, so take it into your own hands.
Luann is a third year International Business and Finance student, constantly looking for ways to be involved within the Beedie community. She believes in taking opportunities and places value in Beedie for its platform of prospects to further develop herself as an individual. Starting as an Exchange Participant Manager, she had a dual role as Project Manager of INSPIRE gen2015 and a Director of Outgoing Exchange for AIESEC SFU starting this summer and plans to go on an AIESEC exchange in 2015. Connect with Luann on LinkedIn or at luann.wong@aiesec.net.