I. Reflection & Application 

By reflecting on my experience in SP and identifying the challenges I faced and the actions I took to overcome them, I demonstrated the ability to reflect on my own experiences and learn from them. This is an important leadership competency, as good leaders are often reflective and able to learn from their mistakes and successes. Also, by taking the lessons learned from my experience in SP and applying them in other areas of my life, such as in your coursework and other extracurricular activities, I demonstrated the ability to apply what I had learned to new situations. This is an important leadership competency, as good leaders are often able to apply their knowledge and experience to solve new and complex problems.

II. Self Development 

As a college student, I struggled with time management and procrastination, which often led to stress and poor academic performance. I realized that I needed to develop better habits and skills to be successful in school and beyond. To address this issue, I joined a time management and productivity workshop offered by the university's student leadership program. During the workshop, I learned about different strategies for prioritizing tasks, setting goals, and staying focused. I also received personalized coaching from the workshop leader, who helped me develop a personalized plan for managing my time and workload.

Through the workshop, I gained self-awareness about my procrastination tendencies and learned how to overcome them. I also developed new skills and habits, such as using a planner to track my assignments and breaking down larger tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. These skills have been valuable not only in my academic pursuits but also in my personal and professional life.

Overall, the experience of attending the time management workshop helped me develop my self-development as a leadership competency by showing me the importance of taking ownership of my personal growth and development. It also taught me the value of seeking out resources and support to improve my skills and habits, and how these efforts can lead to greater success and achievement.

III. Initiative 

During my time as a signal processing student, I had the opportunity to work on a group project where we were tasked with designing a new algorithm for a specific signal processing application. From the start, I took initiative by organizing meetings and assigning specific tasks to each team member to ensure that we were making progress toward our goal.

As we encountered challenges along the way, such as limited data availability and technical issues, I didn't hesitate to take the lead in finding solutions. I researched alternative methods and suggested new approaches to the team, which allowed us to overcome these obstacles and stay on track toward our project's completion.

Through this experience, I learned that taking initiative and being proactive can lead to better outcomes, especially in a team setting. I also gained valuable experience in problem-solving and critical thinking, which have become important skills in my professional career. Overall, this experience helped me develop my initiative as a leadership competency, which has been valuable in my personal and professional life.

IV. Resiliency 

Throughout my signal processing coursework, I faced several challenges that required me to develop resiliency as a leadership competency. One example was a final project that I worked on with a group of classmates. We had chosen a complex topic and were struggling to make progress, despite spending many late nights working on it. However, instead of giving up or becoming discouraged, I took the initiative to hold a team meeting to discuss our roadblocks and brainstorm solutions. By taking charge and facilitating the conversation, I was able to identify our strengths as a team and assign tasks that played to those strengths. We were then able to make significant progress and ultimately complete the project successfully.

This experience taught me the importance of resiliency in leadership, as well as the value of proactive communication and collaboration. By taking ownership of the situation and leading the team through it, I was able to not only overcome a challenge but also help my teammates grow and develop their own resiliency. This competency has since served me well in various leadership roles, both academically and professionally.

V. Listening 

Paying close attention to my professors and classmates when they speak was one of the most important things I did to improve my listening skills. This includes removing distractions like my phone or laptop and actively engaging with the material. Instead of passively hearing the words, active listening involves fully concentrating on what is being said. I try to repeat what I've heard in my own words, summarize the information, and ask follow-up questions to practice active listening. Taking notes is an excellent way to improve listening skills because it requires you to listen carefully and summarize what you hear. When I take notes, I try to concentrate on key points and concepts rather than transcribe everything word for word. 

VI. Productive relationships

 Developing fruitful relationships was essential to my success both in and out of the classroom. I focused on networking with peers, professors, and industry professionals to build these relationships. Participating in group projects and study groups was one strategy that helped me build productive relationships. I was able to learn from others' perspectives and approaches to problem-solving by working collaboratively with them, while also developing strong communication skills. I also made it a point to attend networking events and industry conferences to network with industry professionals. I was able to make meaningful connections with individuals who could offer valuable insights and potential job opportunities by introducing myself and sharing my interests and goals. 

VII. Personal Contribution 

I found it difficult to keep up with the fast-paced curriculum and complex mathematical concepts when I first started my electrical engineering degree. I was determined to succeed, so I started looking for resources to help me better understand the material. I began attending office hours with my professors and teaching assistants to clarify concepts with which I was struggling. I also formed study groups with my classmates to share our knowledge and support one another. As I progressed through my degree program, I began to assume leadership roles in these activities. I gained strong communication and teamwork skills as a result of these experiences, which enabled me to contribute more effectively to group projects and collaborate with my peers.