Pathways to Purpose - Civic Leadership in Law, Health, Tech, and Business

Catalog description

How can your Cornell education help you lead a life of purpose and impact while on campus and in your future career? How can we engage with complex social, political, and scientific challenges, and contribute to thriving communities and resilient democracies? What knowledge, skills, and competencies are essential for future leaders, and how can we communicate effectively across differences to foster collaboration and progress? This one-credit course - held in person over a day and a half - invites students to reflect on these questions while exploring how their academic journey can serve as a foundation for civic leadership and professional purpose. You will learn alongside students from across Cornell’s colleges and disciplines, gaining exposure to diverse perspectives, fields, and approaches. You will also connect with Cornell faculty, staff, and alumni with a range of professional expertise to explore how research, education, and intentional practices can drive meaningful change. In addition to broad exposure, you’ll choose a focus area - law, health, technology, or business - and examine its role in advancing democratic principles and practices. Through this lens, you’ll engage with varied perspectives, challenges, and solutions, while practicing communication skills and participating in small group dialogues with peers.