NASBA Center For Public Trust 
Graduation season brings a wealth of emotions. There is excitement for accomplishing a major life goal after many years of long hours, hard work and dedication despite obstacles and setbacks. There is also some anxiety because of the unknown that comes with starting a journey beyond the world of education that has consumed your life since kindergarten. There can be sadness felt as you leave behind the friends and community that served as your bridge and support system into adulthood. Lastly, there is an eagerness to prove to yourself and others that you are more than prepared and equipped for entering the workforce, to contribute to society and make a lasting impact with the skills you have gained in college and throughout life.
Many of the skills you have successfully attained are soft skills: communication, active listening, teamwork, conflict resolution, leadership and decision-making. Each of these skills will play a vital role in your success throughout your career, and the more you sharpen these skills, the more likely you will continue to grow and develop in your role and achieve leadership opportunities.
One very critical decision-making skill is the ability to make ethical decisions. A study from Harvard University of young professionals under the age of 30 and with two to five years of work experience found that they experienced a prevalence of ethical issues in the workplace. Many were not prepared or comfortable with how to handle the situation due to the lack of deep mentoring available and the justification for unethical behavior by leadership within organizations.
However, students who participated in StudentCPT campus organizations and those who completed the Ethical Leadership Certification Program have shown themselves to be more than capable of navigating these ethical dilemmas. Using the skills and tools received from the NASBA Center for the Public Trust (CPT) allows them to confidently make ethical decisions and hold those around them accountable to do the same.
So, as you begin this next phase of life, the CPT team congratulates you on your graduation from college and wishes you nothing less than success as you embark upon this next phase of your life journey. We know that you are well- equipped to handle anything you might face because of your commitment to achieving your personal goals and the knowledge and skills you have received from your participation in CPT programming. Be sure to stay connected with the CPT as we continue to build out an alumni network that will serve to foster professional relationships for graduates across the country and the globe. For more information, please contact Sharrona Reaves at [email protected].
-Sedrik Newbern, Consultant, NASBA Center for the Public Trust