Leadership and Career Certificate Program (LCCP)

2023 Leadership & Career Certificate Program

The 2023 Leadership & Career Certificate Program launched on January 30 and has finished accepting applications. If you are still interested in joining, please email alexis.graesser@sjsu.edu to inquire about late entry. 

This is a semester-long, self-paced, free and online opportunity to help students develop their strengths and meet their goals. This program is for all SJSU students, includes a minimal time commitment, and no formal leadership experience is required!

The program includes 5 online modules that will prepare students for their life long career and leadership journeys. In addition to the content embedded in the program, participants will also explore virtual various SJSU events (both virtual and in-person) of their choice to expand their learning. Students who complete all components of the program will receive a certificate of completion and be formally recognized at the annual Leadership Gala in May 2023.

The Leadership Career and Certificate Program is a partner program between Student Involvement and SJSU's Career Center.

Please email student-leadership@sjsu.edu if you are interested in joining.

Leadership & Career Modules

• Module 1: Leadership & Career Foundations
  • Participants will learn basic definitions and concepts related to leadership and career and apply this information to their personal and professional goals.
• Module 2: Building an Essential Leadership Toolkit
  • Participants will recognize their leadership abilities and strengths and weaknesses by learning about their leadership style and how it impacts their ability to connect with others.
• Module 3: Communicating Effectively
  • Participants will learn how to communicate more effectively by analyzing their communication skills and gaining new competencies to aid in their ability to respond and interact with others.
• Module 4: Cultivating Inclusive Leadership
  • Participants will engage in activities that seek to encourage cultural awareness and understanding of social justice and how it relates to their leadership and career aspirations.
• Module 5: Marketing Your Leadership Skills
  • Participants will develop self-knowledge related to career choice and work performance by identifying, assessing, and understanding their competencies, interests, values, strengths, and personal characteristics.
• Capstone Experience
  • Participants will apply knowledge from the first five modules to practice their new skills in career-related activities and events.

Program Learning Outcomes

As a result of this program, students will...

• be able to articulate and apply their strengths in a variety of leadership and career-related contexts.
  • You have a unique set of strengths, skills, values, accomplishments, and interests. Articulating your experiences in resumes, interviews, and networking spaces is challenging, but it can help you discover new opportunities. This program will encourage you to reflect on what makes you a leader and how you can use your strengths to flourish in academic and professional spaces.
• intentionally connect their leadership and career development to strategize for success on campus and beyond.
  • Your leadership development is directly connected to your career development. Taking advantage of various opportunities on and off campus will help you become career-ready by graduation. These opportunities can include internships, joining a student organization, attending a department speaker event or career fair, finding a professional mentor, and so much more. This program will help you establish individualized goals and reflect on what you need to achieve success.
• foster a commitment to serving others for positive change.

  • Leadership entails a responsibility to others, to a common good, and to a better future. Diversity, equity, and inclusion work should be happening in both personal and professional spaces, because progress does not happen on its own. Throughout this program, we will reflect on power, privilege, identities, and other topics that will help you foster diverse and equitable spaces moving forward.  

• develop and expand critical leadership skills, such as effective communication and self-reflection.
  • Leadership entails many different kinds of skills, but there are a few foundational skills that employers regularly look for when hiring college students and graduates. This program provides many resources and opportunities to help you expand your skill set. If you identify any skills you would like to practice and improve, we are happy to help you match those skills to certain experiences that will help you achieve those goals.

Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

When is the deadline to register?

It is preferred that students register by Friday, February 17, 2023. If you are still interested in joining, please email student-leadership@sjsu.edu or alexis.graesser@sjsu.edu

How do I sign up?

Fill out the registration information using this Leadership & Career Certificate Program Registration [Google form].

Why should students join?

Certificate students will be able to develop leadership and career competencies to apply to their SJSU experience and planning for post-SJSU life. Plus, it looks great on a resume!

Who can participate?

All currently enrolled SJSU students (undergraduate and graduate).

What is the cost?

Free for all SJSU students.

When will I receive my certificate?

You will receive a notice via Canvas when your certificate is ready for pickup. If you requested that it be mailed to your address, please wait until the first week of June to receive it.

When will I know the status of their application?

All students who are enrolled for the Spring 2023 semester will be accepted into the program. You can expect to hear more information about getting started with the program in January 2023.

Who do I contact if I have questions or need accommodations?

Questions or comments can be sent to student-leadership@sjsu.edu, or you can call the Student Involvement front desk at 408-924-5950.