Leaders tend to display the ENTERPRISING Occupational Personality Type.

No matter which career path you choose, a leader should have the ability to positively influence and guide the people around them.   

Pathway 1: Entrepreneur 

Entrepreneurs create, start and run their own business. They enjoy being self-employed, setting their own hours, working for themselves and taking action to make sure their business is profitable. Having an entrepreneurial spirit requires good leadership qualities and provides endless opportunities for career paths to choose from. Whether you own your own landscaping company, self-publish books about urban forestry, own an online wood furniture business or create a Fortune 500 company, you are an entrepreneur.   

• Education: Entrepreneurship has no specific education requirements, however, many entrepreneurs have a degree(s) in business.  
• Experience: No standard job experience requirements.
• Skills: Self-starter, communication, fundraising, organization, persistence, customer service, leadership and self-motivator. 

Pathway 2: Non-profit Chief Executive Officer/ Executive Director 

The role of a non-profit chief executive officer/executive director may vary across organizations, but they are primarily responsible for running the organization. They are in charge of making sure the mission of the organization, strategic plans and policies established by the board of directors are carried out, and maintain the reputation of the organization. This role is the face of the organization, and must communicate passion and excitement for the organization’s mission to people externally.  

• Education: There are no minimum education requirements, but an advanced degree in business administration, marketing, public relations, public policy, communications, or in the field of the organization is usually preferred or required by employers.  
• Experience: An extensive amount (about ten years) of experience in a management role in the private sector or in government. 
• Skills: Leadership, serve as a liaison between board and executive officers, fundraising, delegation, problem-solving, financial management, collaboration, verbal and written communication, advocacy, developing high-performing teams, achieving goals, public speaking, interpersonal and community relations. 

Pathway 3: Academic Dean 

Academic deans are executive administrators responsible for faculty and student success at post–secondary institutions. They oversee activities and educational programs within their college, school, or division. Deans develop and implement academic policies, hire faculty, approve curriculum and courses submitted by professors, evaluate professors and oversee the distribution of grants within a department or program.    

• Education: Deans often need a doctoral degree, but a master’s degree is sometimes sufficient. Most deans begin their career as a professor and later move into administration roles in the field in which they taught and/or obtained a graduate degree. 
• Experience: Teaching, student affairs, curriculum development, admissions, budget management and research often at colleges and universities is required.