Lean On Me: The Power of Peer Support

By Megan Weyrauch on September 22, 2014

Will I ever be good enough?

I won’t get that job–I might as well give up.

Why waste the time applying when it will end up in rejection?

Have these thoughts ever plagued your mind?

Feelings of inadequacy run rampant among college students who face unique challenges as they head out into the world. I am sure you can relate–oftentimes, we find ourselves worrying about who we are and who we want to be and how we are going to get there.

Image Via https://www.levo.com

However, a successful transition into the workplace lies in your participation in small groups known as Circles, which are part of an organization known as Lean In. According to this press release, Lean In Circles, or small groups that meet regularly to learn and grow together, are unique groups that have the power of peer support in common.

More than 20,000 Circles exist today in 73 different countries, on 350 college campuses. From those that participate, 75 percent attribute a positive outcome in their life to their Circle and 83 percent said that they are more likely to take on a challenge or new opportunity.

Circles join students of all different interests and challenges. At the University of Tennessee, one graduate student runs a Circle called “Systers” for female computer science students, according to the press release. At Harvard, a Circle of Asian-American men meet to talk about biases they face due to their race and The American University of Iraq includes a group that runs pop-up events for female entrepreneurs. The options are limitless when it comes to creating a Circle.

LeanIn.org believes Circles provide the support and skills you need to successfully transition into the workplace, or to overcome other such challenges.

Rachel Thomas, President of LeanIn.org, said in the press release to think of circles as part peer learning and part support group.

“At leanin.org, we offer everything students need to run a successful Circle—including expert videos and discussion guides on how to communicate with confidence, accept feedback, and work effectively on teams,” she said.

Given the tools to succeed, you can overcome challenges with ease, as was the case with 19-year-old Stephanie Mencham, who decided against applying for a job thinking that she was too young and inexperienced for the position.

After sitting down with members of her Lean In Circle, Mecham was encouraged by the other women’s stories of overcoming their fears and owning their abilities, and so she decided to apply for the job after all. She ended up getting the job, needing only the small push from her circle to step out of her comfort zone.

For more information, watch the following video of a Livestream that took place on Sept. 18, hosted by LeanIn.org founder Sheryl Sandberg and the LeanIn.org team.

Start your own Circle today or find one on your campus and get ready to achieve what you never thought you could.

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