Step Up.
Lead Massachusetts.
Serving as a SkillsUSA Massachusetts State Officer gives members the opportunity to represent students across the Commonwealth while building leadership, communication, and professional skills. Explore what it takes to become a State Officer, the responsibilities and opportunities that come with the role, and how to begin the candidate process.
STATE OFFICER CANDIDACY
SkillsUSA Massachusetts is a student-led organization, and the strength of its programs depends greatly on the leadership of its State Officer team. The State Officer Candidate Program allows eligible members to pursue a statewide leadership position, represent SkillsUSA members across the Commonwealth, and help carry out the organization’s Program of Work. Serving as a State Officer requires commitment, teamwork, professionalism, and a willingness to represent SkillsUSA Massachusetts throughout the year.
As a result of the State Officer Program, members have the opportunity to:
Develop leadership and communication skills by planning activities, delivering workshops and presentations, and participating in state functions.
Represent SkillsUSA Massachusetts members statewide while working as part of a student leadership team responsible for supporting the organization’s Program of Work.
Build confidence, professionalism, and organizational skills through conferences, meetings, training, travel, and interaction with leaders in education, business, and industry.
Strengthen teamwork and responsibility by carrying out the duties of state office and participating in required State Executive Council meetings and events.
Grow personally and professionally through experiences designed to prepare members for leadership, career readiness, and future opportunities.
01 THE ROLE Characteristics of a Successful State Officer Qualities that help student leaders succeed. +
02 OPPORTUNITY Benefits & Opportunities Grow as a leader while representing SkillsUSA Massachusetts. +
- Bring positive recognition to yourself, your school, community and state.
- Develop enthusiasm, personal pride and pride in career and technical education.
- Build the ability to plan, organize and execute a full schedule of activities.
- Strengthen self-confidence and poise.
- Work closely with leaders in business and industry while supporting career and technical education.
- Develop your leadership potential through meaningful experiences and responsibilities.
- Gain opportunities to travel and represent SkillsUSA Massachusetts.
03 COMMITMENT State Officer Responsibilities Understand what is expected throughout the year. +
- Work as part of a student team responsible for supporting the SkillsUSA Massachusetts Program of Work.
- Carry out the responsibilities and duties associated with elected state office.
- Develop workshops and presentations for conferences and state functions.
- Represent more than 8,500 SkillsUSA Massachusetts members statewide.
- Participate in required State Officer events and activities throughout the year.
- Attend monthly State Executive Council meetings.
04 REQUIRED ATTENDANCE Training, Conferences & Travel Major commitments throughout the State Officer year. +
- State Officer Training — Summer; one week; all expenses paid.
- Fall State Leadership Conference for Workplace Readiness — November; all expenses paid.
- District and State Leadership & Skills Conferences — Winter and Spring; all expenses paid.
- National Leadership & Skills Conference — June; expenses paid for State Officers, but not Officer Elects.
- Washington Leadership Training Institute — Late Summer; all expenses paid if funds are available.
Candidates, advisors, administrators and parents/guardians should understand that State Officers participate in numerous statewide activities that may require travel of an hour or more from home. Officers are encouraged to carpool when possible, but transportation assistance from parents/guardians or advisors may also be necessary.
05 BECOMING AN OFFICER Election Process From candidate testing to election at the State Conference. +
Candidates should study the SkillsUSA Handbook and understand key organizational information, leadership structure, and material described in Levels 1 and 2 of the SkillsUSA Professional Development Program. Candidates must also submit four letters of recommendation with their application as outlined in Form SOC4.
Prospective candidates participate in testing and an interview at the District Conference. Candidates selected through the district process advance to the State Leadership & Skills Conference.
Candidates present a two-minute prepared speech explaining why they want to become a State Officer, answer questions from the House of Delegates, campaign, respond to a problematic question, and provide a rebuttal.
Following the candidate process, a general election is held to select the new State Officer team. Officers are initially elected as a slate without specific titles.
All newly elected State Officers must attend the mandatory State Officer Training Conference. At the end of the training week, officers select their individual titles through a secret ballot.
06 BEFORE YOU APPLY Candidate Eligibility & Deadlines Important requirements for prospective candidates. +
State Officer candidate materials must be received by the State Office by the same deadline established for District Conference paperwork. Failure to meet the required deadline will eliminate a candidate from consideration.
All candidates for SkillsUSA Massachusetts State Office must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 or a “C” average in every academic and trade class to be eligible to run for office.
Candidates should refer to the SkillsUSA Massachusetts Secondary Division Constitution & Bylaws for additional information regarding State Officer eligibility and requirements.