The program is an extracurricular activity for students who are employed at any kind of student union or nation in Lund, and given at LUSEM.
As employees of their student organisations they are, often for the first time in their lives, responsible for budgets of up to several million Swedish crowns, engaging and managing volunteers and staff and not least being among the front figures of their respective organisations.
The project manager, Simon Öhlin, who is a Leadership Academy alumn himself, explains that many of the challenges and insecurities they address in workshops and discussions are similar to what he experienced himself when he was president of LundaEkonomerna, but there is also a uniqueness to every story.
Christine Blomquist who has been involved with Leadership Academy for several years agrees with Simon. “Yes and that is why we kept some parts intact over the years, but the participants also get to set up a wish list on what they want help with, so every Leadership Academy becomes unlike any other,” she says.
One of the participants, Fanny Pettersson Karlander, highlights the importance of the group itself.
“We get to set apart some time for ourselves every month, it’s an open environment where we share our thoughts and problems, see similarities, reflect on our strengths and shortcomings as leaders and get support from one another,” she says.
The corporate partner, Deloitte also has one young professional in the programme and Their senior representative at this event, Maria Ekelund expresses that this is something they gladly support. She appreciates the chance to come and talk a little about careers and leadership, while stating that they always are on the lookout for talented people and that this is a great opportunity for her to find out more about what is important to them.
Nadja Sörgärde from Organizational studies and Christine Blomquist from Strategy are the ones responsible for the workshops, whereas Pernilla Thellmark has individual coaching meetings with each participant.
“They all get tools and tips and make realisations along the way, but what I always come back to is the value and support they get by sharing their thoughts and experiences. I really love being able to follow their journeys,” she concludes.