Friday 13-01-2017 - 10:03

Kara-Jane Senior has been our Activities Officer for two years, having re-run for the position in 2016, is sharing her experience of the role

The best job in the World?

Societies were a significant part of my student experience and I wanted to make the experience of being involved in student groups as good as possible, for both execs and members. But 18 months into the role it’s not just my passion for extra-curricular activities that makes me think this is potentially one of the best jobs in the world. Not only do

--I get to effect changes for our 200 student groups (and their hundreds of volunteers, and thousands of members)--

I get to work with the other student officers to make the wider student experience at Durham the best it can be, for all 19,000-odd students.

Building a strong Union and personal development

The moment I started my role a staff restructure took place and I spent most of the summer 2015 with six permanent staff, which made starting the role particularly tricky. Yet looking at just how far Durham Students’ Union has come since then (we now have 25 permanent staff with one more soon to be added) is one of the reasons I love this organisation; and I have been involved in all of it. We now have a strong staff team with a wide range of skills and experiences, many of which I helped to interview. Consequently, I now have a fairly good grasp on how to and how not to act in a job interview!

--I’ve also been involved in developing Durham SU’s new strategy and even the new strategy for the National Union of Students.--

Additionally, I sit on the Board of Trustees for Durham Students’ Union and two of its sub-committees (HR & Remuneration and Audit & Risk), so I’ve learnt a fair amount about running a charity specifically as well as an organisation in general. These are all things I would not necessarily have had experience of straight out of University, so when I get round to re-writing my CV I will be trying to fit it all on my two pages!

Public speaking was never something I relished, but it is a part of being an officer. After doing it a fair amount of times I am much more confident at it, and sometimes quite enjoy having the platform to speak uninterrupted!

--I have learnt a lot about being a leader but also how to listen to all points of view,--

even those much different to my own, and to find ways to ensure all opinions are given consideration; there is a lot of value in differing perspectives. I have worked with committees and student groups with diverse memberships, with junior and senior staff both in the Union and the University, and discussed issues in education with national student representatives and a member of parliament. I have worked in teams with varying dynamics, learnt diplomacy and strategic thinking in the face of difficult situations, and experienced working in an environment that is ever changing and bringing up new challenges – this of course makes it all the more exciting.

How being an officer has changed me

It is not just about the specific work place skills and experiences;

--being a student officer has developed me immensely as a person. --

I have always had a passion for making a positive difference in the world but I never quite realised the potential I had to be a leader in effecting change. Identifying inequalities and injustices in our University community has made me look at the root causes which lie in wider society. Learning too about the NUS liberation campaigns has been an excellent education; I now think with a much more informed mind, challenging societal norms and finding ways to ensure our community is more inclusive and safe, and just a better place to be. Most significantly for me was taking part in the Lessons from Auschwitz programme along with other student leaders invited by the Union of Jewish Students, which included a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau. The experience was life-changing and I am determined to make a conscious effort to always challenge any prejudice and inequality I see. I believe being an officer has made me a better person.

Why you should run

If you have not already realised,

--being a student officer is one of the best opportunities there are to gain a diverse range of experiences --

and to discover what is really important to you as a person. I have not even mentioned the extent of the training and development, and networking sessions officers have access to. These not only equip officers with the skills they need during their term of office, but also in their future careers. I am not quite sure what my next step will be after my second term of office finishes, but I am confident that these two years will have put me in good stead for my future work ventures, and for campaigning to make our world a better place.

If you would like to know more about being a student officer, or would like to run in the election visit http://www.durhamsu.com/2017election