Why You Should Get On That Society Board Or Student Council

Academia aside, university is all about meeting new people, making new friends and trying new things. And there’s no better places to do that than a student society or club. No matter your poison, there’s a society for almost anything, from drum and bass to gospel choir to good ol’ poker.

But what if you join a society and it’s not how you imagined? Do you think your student union is disorganised? Well, by joining your committee or council, you can change that. You can make a difference. Yes, I’m talking to you.

Before this sounds too much like a recruitment drive, let’s discuss the benefits of being on a society committee or student council.

1. You’re in charge

There are countless positions on a society committee: president, vice-president, treasurer, secretary, social media officer etc. And all of these play a vital role in the society’s existence.

If you see something you don’t like then you’re in a position to change it. And as you’re a key player, this change could happen more rapidly than if you were just a mere member.

Still, if you’re the president, make sure you don’t let that power go to your head. It’s a democracy, not a dictatorship. Things didn’t end too well for Nicholas II.

2. It’ll look great on your CV

Being on a society committee or even the student council will make you look great to employers. It will help you to stand out from the crowd. After all, not everybody goes for a committee position, do they?

As a secretary, you’ll gain administrative and communication experience. This could be particularly useful for marketing and sales jobs, where you’ll be contacting clients and journalists. If you’re a treasurer, then you’ll gain experience handling accounts and money.

Finally, being the president shows you have the confidence to lead. Not everybody does. As a result, society committee positions are an easy way to get office-relevant experience in a climate where this is difficult.

3. You can show and share your hidden interests

So what if your passion is Mongolian Throat Singing or making dank memes? You want to share your passion with others, but there isn’t a society for that. So create your own!

Employers love this approach, as it demonstrates that you’re not afraid to use initiative. Rather than dithering, you seized the day and turned your passion into reality. This is exactly what Microsites identified. They argue that creating a society is a chance to make your mark – a way to leave behind a legacy, once you’ve moved on and graduated.

4. It shows how you engage with conflict

Another great transferable skill that running a society gives you is problem solving.

It’s only inevitable that problems will arise in societies. Regardless of the problem, how you deal with the issue is what could set you apart from others. When these conflicts arise, will you throw a tantrum or seek the best solution for the problem?

A common interview question is how you handle difficult situations. Giving examples of how you’ve settled society beefs will surely impress employers.

5. It allows you to have the most fun

Don’t get me wrong. Running a society will be difficult. It is essentially a part-time job alongside your studies.

But you’ll be having great fun doing this job. You’re taking your passion, what makes you happy, and then spreading this among others. Whether this passion is creative writing, yoga or making memes, you’re making everyone happier.

Because memes make everything better. Don’t they?

James is a graduate of English Literature from Newcastle University. Across his life, he’s written silly stories about talking birds and cats, teenage angst-ridden poetry and has almost finished his first novel. When he’s not writing, you’ll find him imagining scenarios that will never happen. See his writing on www.jameslintonblog.blogspot.co.uk  and https://jameslintonwriting.wordpress.com

Inspiring Interns is a graduate recruitment agency which specialises in sourcing candidates for marketing internship roles and giving out graduate careers advice. To browse graduate jobs and graduate jobs Manchester, visit their website.