Name: Allison Brickner
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Year: Junior, Class of 2016
Major/Minors: Double major Strategic Human Resource Management and Marketing
Hobbies: hiking, painting, and drawing
What leadership positions were you drawn to?Â
I was definitely drawn to Manresa as it was one of the first things I experienced on campus. Going through the entire process was just amazing. I remember coming to Xavier freshman year and feeling so homesick and petrified of being on my own and thinking, “Oh thank God, these people are so nice and welcoming.” The leader interaction and the overall fun of the entire program really made me realize that I wanted to be a part of this in the future – that I wanted to have this impact on someone else and help someone else like Manresa helped me.
As far as Alternative Breaks, though, I didn’t really know anything about it until after applications were due my freshman year. After hearing all the stories from people as they came back, I knew my sophomore year that I had to do it. I was extremely surprised when they asked me to be a site leader before I had even participated, but it was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had at Xavier.
I’ve also participated in some other leadership things here or there like Emerging Leaders Initiative (ELI), Sophomore Leadership, and Getaway.
How did you work to achieve the position you are/were in?
I knew for Manresa they wanted someone who was well-rounded and is willing to put yourself out there. So I sought out those types of opportunities, like ELI and Getaway, which upperclassmen recommended to me to enhance my leadership skills. ELI helped me so much.
I also went on the Emerging Leaders Retreat – which focused in on different leadership styles. And Getaway which allowed me to be in a different kind of group setting and get a feel for that kind of atmosphere. Being able to adapt leadership to different places and different people is really important, and retreat situations force you to learn how to do that.
How do you think that you benefitted from being a leader on Xavier’s campus?Â
I see how it translates in what I want to do in my career. With HR you have to take care of training and developing; you’ll be expected to lead seminars and lectures. I have learned how to adapt to certain situations and different kinds of people. The same thing with marketing: you have to sell your product. That requires persuasion and a lot of self-confidence which you can gain from leadership positions. In all, I think leadership in general is something more and more employers are looking for.
How do you balance school life and outside activities?
Normally, during the week I try to get everything done that I need to. Getting my emails done and following up on all the things I can handle takes up an hour or two of the week, and then I devote the rest of my time to my schoolwork. But on the weekends, I try to do as much as possible to do what I need to do for myself. Friday and Saturday, for me, is really used to just relax. Hike, paint, hang out with friends, or even just watch Netflix.
Fun fact: I’ve attended Catholic school my entire life.
I have three sisters (four girls total).
I got to walk on the set of The Avengers.
I’ve broken four bones.