What does you role involve?
My role is Head of Membership Engagement at University for the Creative Arts Students’ Union / Student Association (quite a mouthful!), in practice that means I manage all the fun areas of the union; campaigning, democracy, volunteering, course reps and student activities. I have a great staff team who deliver the day to day student support in these areas and are incredibly passionate about what they do, so I feel very lucky. My day to day role mainly centres around thinking strategically about what is coming up, how we need to move and improve going forwards as well as being the lead staff member for elected officer support. This can range anywhere from reading through committee papers, to throwing a custard pie at an officer during an LGBT fundraiser!
What’s the best thing about it?
Undoubtedly the best thing about working in a students’ union / Student Association is the variety and the passion, I can’t imagine there is any other job where you laugh so much and are surrounded by people who genuinely want to change the world around you. I think the variety in our jobs is sometimes what makes it so hard to explain them, this week I’ve presented at an awards dinner, attended a picnic with all our elected students about the future of our democratic structures, and had a really great discussion with the university about how our student complaints and appeals policies affect those students who need them. This variety is what makes SUs / Student Association the perfect organisations for people who don’t like the mundane!
How did you get here?
I became involved in my SU / Student Association as a member of the drama society, realised all the people in that building were doing some really fun stuff I wanted to get involved in and ended up running for election as President of Chester SU / Student Association. After 2 years, in what is undoubtedly the best job in the world, I wanted to support others in the same position and went to work at MDXSU as Student Voice Coordinator, and then onto the role I’m in now.
What’s was the most helpful piece of learning you picked up along the way?
The most helpful thing I have picked up along the way is that there aren’t many lines of work where the people around you will always be championing you, and it is totally genuine. Within an SU / Student Association you are able to really stretch yourself, push your boundaries (if you want to) and learn and experience things you wouldn’t be able to in any other line of work!