Young professionals in the business and nonprofit sectors can now apply for a scholarship to participate in the Leadership Westchester 2014 program, the Westchester County Association’s Young Professionals Group said.
The program, produced by The Volunteer Center of United Way, will offer a $2,750 scholarship to help young professionals develop leadership skills, especially as budding entrepreneurs.
The leadership program immerses young professionals in an eight-month course from Oct. 22 to June 10.
The program will explore business leadership strategies including strengthening interpersonal and communication skills, learning to have grace under pressure, overcoming resistance to change, motivating others and creating compelling messages. Those in nonprofits will learn how to understand responsibilities of board membership and contribution, lobby on important issues and learn about governance, strategic planning, advocacy and management.
“(The) Leadership Westchester curriculum is designed to sharpen your leadership skills and give you an in-depth understanding of how everything works,” said Drew P. McKay, construction project manager at The Arben Group, which won the WCA Scholarship last year. “I have volunteered at local soup kitchens, churches and schools, but Leadership Westchester gave me a unique perspective, one that will help me acquire the competencies needed to be more effective in my professional life, and in the very place I am proud to call home.”
The Leadership Westchester program will take up to 20 people. In the past, professionals in this course came from a variety of backgrounds including business, the public sector and nonprofits.
