Being a Student Advocate Helen Thomas - Postgraduate Student Advocate Isn’t it great when you can say how much you love the work you do. I must admit I didn’t know what to expect when I came to work as a Postgraduate Student Advocate at the Tasmania University Union. I knew what the job entailed, and I knew I had the skills and expertise to do it well, but nothing prepared me for how much joy I would get from working with students who are experiencing problems. I can honestly say it is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling jobs I have ever had. When students come to seek support from an advocate they are usually feeling distressed, lost, frustrated, scared, confused or unsupported. Something has happened to them that has affected their ability to study. It could be that they have received an allegation of academic misconduct, or they are experiencing financial hardship or a relationship breakdown with their lecturer or supervisor, or they are facing exclusion. Perhaps they feel the University has not fulfilled its responsibilities according to their policies or procedures and as a result feel severely disadvantaged.
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