It was initially daunting when I accepted the
position of
Gamma Beta Chapter’s personnel
chair as a sophomore. However, I am now so
happy that I said “yes” to the opportunity, for
my time in Chi Omega leadership has proven to
be a priceless experience and prepared me with
life skills that I rely on every day.
As personnel chair, I learned how to celebrate
young women for their accomplishments, encourage
them to live their lives to the highest
standard, and to motivate them to be leaders in
their own right. I always try to keep the notion
of happiness in mind. I have found that a word
of encouragement and a smile can go a long
way.
Last summer when I became an intern for
NBC
News, the skills I gained as a Chi Omega leader
proved valuable every day. Whether it was
conducting an interview, in which I needed
to ask fair and thought-provoking questions,
or reporting live, where I had to think on my
feet, my time as personnel chair served me in a
multitude of ways.
The art of asking carefully crafted inquiries is
a skill I learned well as personnel chair. Good
questions, I discovered, can elicit thought-provoking
answers that lead to further pertinent
questions. This skill was extremely helpful
when I had the opportunity to ask questions of
Herman Cain at a Republican presidential debate;
when I interviewed Bill Nye, the Science
Guy, when he was at the studio; and during my
face-to-face with Lisa Bloom, the author of the
New York Times bestselling book, Think. This
skill was also especially helpful when I worked
at the Republican Party debate, held at the Ronald
Reagan Library, with Brian Williams and
the Republican presidential candidates.
Now that I am interning at
E! News, my perspective
as personnel chair and acquaintance
with our “fair play” policy have been essential.
As in Chi Omega, it is crucial that we, as
journalists, portray stories with integrity and
objectivity.
Added courage and confidence to pursue my
dreams are additional by-products of my experience
as a chapter leader. Today, I’m proof that
Chi Omega can help you conquer any fear and
take on any challenge—including becoming
a published author! Watch for the release this
spring of my book,
The Sunny Girl’s Guide to
Happiness! No dream is now too big and no endeavor
is too great.
Today Show—here I come!
Chi Omega has led me to new career ventures
and to wonderful friendships. Lisa Bloom and I
have gone out to lunch and she will be writing a
blurb for my book cover once it hits the stands.
You never know where a question can take
you—so never be afraid to ask! Such a priceless
experience was so much more special because
of my priceless officer training in Chi Omega.
To read more, visit Lauren’s blog,
The Sunny
Girl, where she writes daily about happiness at
www.thesunnygirl.com.
Also known as The Sunny Girl, Lauren
Cook loves to spread sunshine wherever she goes. She
is a junior at the
U of California–Los Angeles, where
she is studying psychology and communications. A
former Miss Teen California, Lauren loves to fundraise
for the American Cancer Society and has brought in
almost $50,000 for this cause. Lauren has served her
chapter as personnel chair and career and personal
development chair. Her
Gamma Beta Chapter Sisters
named her the Upcoming Leader.