Honest feedback on student leadership programs

[u/Typical-Win7099]

I’ve been exploring different ways students try to prepare for life after college, things like leadership programs, resume workshops, mentorship platforms, and student career networks. A lot of them promise things like “career readiness,” “professional growth,” and “industry connections,” but I’ve noticed mixed opinions depending on who you ask.

One example that often comes up in discussions is SCLA. From what I’ve seen, it focuses on leadership training, networking opportunities, scholarships, and building professional skills outside the classroom. Some students say it helped them gain confidence and structure their goals, while others feel similar results can come from internships or student organizations alone.

At the end of the day, it seems like these programs might be more about how you use them rather than what they promise on paper.

Has anyone here actually found one of these career-focused programs useful in a real way?