Do you have what it takes to be a part of CORE? CORE is a seven-month leadership development program offered through Outdoor Recreation for first-year students. This highly selective program will teach you how to manage a campus organization while experiencing exciting outdoor adventures like rafting, biking, and caving. Applications close Friday, August 31st at 11:59 pm for this program.

CORE is led by faculty, staff, and alumni and meets once per week between October and May. You will engage in hands-on-projects, monthly outdoor adventure trips, and at the end of the program complete a self-led multi-day capstone expedition. The entire program focuses on developing leaders through hands-on outdoor experiences in a team-oriented environment.

Are you still not sure if this for you? We interviewed CORE alum, Jessica Jourden to tell you firsthand about her experience in the CORE leadership program.

What is your association with CORE?

I was in CORE 4.0 when I was a first year. (2015-2016).

What did you enjoy most about the CORE experience?

My favorite part of CORE was CORE Capstone. The second semester of the program is spent in groups planning these expeditions, then after finals the expeditions go out. Not only do you learn a lot when planning these expeditions (how to formulate/present a proposal with a budget, how to work with and lead a group of your peers who have various leadership styles, what to consider for safety, how to handle logistics of a multi-day trip, and the benefits of good organization), but it is your opportunity to practice all of the leadership skills you have learned. The CORE expedition is also full of fun and laughter, as you get to climb, kayak, backpack (or do whatever sport(s) you plan) with the friends that you have gotten close to over your first year.

Who would you recommend this program to?

CORE is for individuals who are willing to commit to the program and want to improve their leadership skills. You will get out of it what you are willing to put into it; I have seen individuals come out of CORE with remarkable growth as leaders, and others who did not put much into the program and gained very little. If you are accepted to CORE, it should be your #1 extracurricular priority. It is a considerable time commitment, including weekly meetings and monthly ORGT trips. I would not recommend CORE to someone who hates to go outside, but experience in the outdoors is not necessary. 

What can participants expect to gain from CORE?

I personally gained the following: confidence in myself, both in the decisions that I make and in my ability to lead others; experience presenting; experience writing a proposal and forming a budget; experience working with and leading a group of my peers; practice making difficult decisions in an outdoor context; exposure to ORGT and several of ORGT's sports/sport groups; and a close-knit group of friends.

CORE is a unique experience that incorporates professional hands-on leadership training while experiencing the great outdoors. If this sounds like the right opportunity for you visit crc.gatech.edu/core to apply before the August 31st deadline.