From Student Leader to Change Maker: Learning Leadership by Living It

If you are a student involved in student council, leadership programs, or community initiatives, you likely already know that leadership is more than a title. It shows up in how you work with others, how you respond to challenges, and how you step forward when something matters. 

For many student leaders, a natural question emerges: “What’s next?” What does leadership look like in post-secondary education? These students are often ready for a new challenge, one that moves beyond participation toward a deeper understanding of leadership, intentional practice, and the ability to create meaningful change in complex real-world settings. 

At the School of Leadership Studies at the University of New Brunswick, the Bachelor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Leadership is intentionally designed for students who are ready to make that shift. 

For guidance counsellors, educators, and parents who recognize strong leadership potential in a student they support, the BPhil offers an academic path that nurtures both capability and character while opening doors to a wide range of future careers. 

Leadership Beyond the Classroom 

The BPhil approaches leadership as a lived practice. Students study leadership through ethics, social theory, and interdisciplinary studies, while developing skills like critical thinking, collaboration, and reflection. Small, discussion-based classes create space to ask big questions, learn from peers, and build confidence in one’s values and voice.  What makes the program distinctive is that leadership learning does not stop at theory. 

Learning Leadership Through Experience 

Internships are a defining part of the BPhil. Students complete two full-credit, leadership-focused internships, one in Canada and one internationally. These experiences allow students to connect ideas to action and develop the judgement, confidence, and ethics needed to lead well in real settings. 

The Canadian internship is a full-time paid placement where students work alongside mentors in professional environments. With structured preparation, ongoing feedback, and reflection, students gain clarity about their strengths, interests, and possible career directions. 

The international internship brings leadership learning into global and cross-cultural contexts. Students work with community partners around the world, learning to arrive with questions rather than answers. Preparation includes coursework in systems thinking, cross-cultural communication, and ethics, along with strong support before, during, and after the placement. 

Across both internships, reflection is central. Students learn that leadership growth is not just about what you do, but what you learn from experience. 

Where Leadership Studies Can Take You 

A bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary leadership is intentionally broad and flexible. Graduates pursue careers and further education across many fields, including law and public policy, medicine and health-related professions, education, business and entrepreneurship, government and politics, community development, social work, and non-profit and advocacy work. 

Some graduates continue to professional programs or graduate studies, while others move directly into roles where they lead teams, manage projects, and help organizations navigate complex challenges. What connects these paths is not a single job title, but a shared set of transferable skills. 

Through coursework, community engagement, and internships, students develop the ability to think critically, communicate clearly, work across differences, and engage thoughtfully with ethical questions. These skills travel well, giving graduates the flexibility to adapt, change direction, and continue learning throughout their careers. 

Becoming a Change Maker 

The Bachelor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Leadership is well suited for students who are curious, values-driven, and motivated to make a difference. It offers an education that is both practical and reflective, rooted in community and open to the world. 

If you are a student who cares about people, ideas, and impact, or if you know a student with the potential and desire to lead positive change in their community, the BPhil may be a strong fit.  

To learn more about the Bachelor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Leadership, explore the School of Leadership Studies website, follow along on Instagram and Facebook, or reach out via email to leadershipstudies@unb.ca to start a conversation.