Student Staff Case Studies
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The University of Wolverhampton Students’ Union employs around 30 students in a variety of roles ranging from making and serving coffees to manning reception to writing social media. Have you ever thought what it would be like working as a Student Staff member here at the SU? Read on to see what our staff members think about working here!
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Reception Support Assistant
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Activities & Events Student Support
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Article Writer
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Graphic Designer
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Web Content Assistant
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Social Media and Promotions Assistant
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Squeezebox Assistant
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Student Engagement Support Staff
Reception
Support Assistant
What attracted you to the job at the SU? Due to being a student at the University I thought that this was a great opportunity. The thought of working at the place I study was considered very beneficial and ideal, allowing me to manage both my time working and studying.
Kalvinder Kaur
What do you do on a typical shift? I am a Student Staff Receptionist, so my job entails being at the front of the Student Union, answering general queries and directing students around the campus. I also carry out tasks such as binding, informing students about societies, handling payments etc.
What do you enjoy the most about your job at the SU? The best part of the job in my opinion is speaking to the students on a daily basis and helping them manage any queries that they have. Also working with the other staff in the student union is a bonus! What skills have you learnt from being a student staff member? Since working for the Student Union I have had the chance to develop my skills which will be enhanced in my further career. This includes time keeping, organisational and communicative skills. Advice for other students about balancing Uni work and a part-time job? Overall I can admit that having a part-time job and studying a postgraduate degree has tested my time keeping skills. However, once you find the balance it is truly rewarding! The student union is great for understanding that you also have study obligations!
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Activities & Events
Student Support
What attracted you to the job at the SU? Studying a degree in Events and Venue Management and being eager to gain experience in this industry is what attracted me to work at the SU. In the first year of my degree I was able to witness how the SU helps and encourages students from then I knew this was what I wanted to be a part of.
Sabrina Rafiq
What do you do on a typical shift? Working as an activities and event support staff means no two days are the same. One day I could be running from place to place in preparation of upcoming events, other days I could be updating the What’s On page, sending emails, looking for new equipment for the SU as well as staffing events.
What do you enjoy the most about your job at the SU? I enjoy the challenges and responsibility within my job at the SU as well as the support from my line manager. I also enjoy how flexible the work hours are and how no two days are the same. What skills have you learnt from being a student staff member? Skills I have learnt from being a student staff member of the SU is being able to adapt to new situations as well as being able to think for myself and explore new ideas. I have also learnt to respond to new challenges and prioritise tasks on a daily basis. Advice for other students about balancing Uni work and a part-time job? Advice, I would give to other students about balancing Uni work and a part-time job would be to not over commit, write down important dates for deadlines and exams so you know when your busy periods are coming is essential. It will help you know when you are available to work and when you need extra time to focus on your degree.
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Article
Writer
What attracted you to the job at the SU? I’ve always enjoyed writing and wanted to use that skill. It can be a competitive area to get into, so when I saw the opportunity at the SU I just went for it. It’s not often you find such great opportunities like that. Also, having already worked at the SU at the Squeezebox in Walsall I knew it was a good organisation to work for.
Andrew Amison
What do you do on a typical shift? Normally I’ll come in having a few ideas for articles ready to work on, so I can get straight into the researching and writing them. As well as the more serious articles I write for the site, I also write some buzzfeed-style articles for the SU, which can be good fun. Other days I’ll also conduct interviews with students to use as content for articles.
What do you enjoy the most about your job at the SU? I love that I can give my own ideas and suggestions, and if I want to get involved with more I can ask. But the thing I enjoy most is seeing my work finished and published on the SU website. Every published article feels like an achievement. What skills have you learnt? I’ve been able to expand the skills I had, and develop skills like writing to deadlines which is important for what I want to do. It’s been a valuable experience applying what I enjoyed doing and aspired to in a professional setting. Have you got any advice for students about balancing work with studies? My advice would be that you might have to accept that you’re going to have to make sacrifices to pursue work alongside full-time study, but it can be well worth it. It can be difficult balancing the workloads, but I always see the work experience as just as essential as the degree. As long as you plan your days and spend your time wisely it works out.
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Graphic Designer What attracted you to the job at the SU? I was initially attracted to my job at the SU because it was perfect alongside my course in Visual Communication (Graphic Design). I wanted to gain some real experience as a designer and working in a marketing environment seemed like a good opportunity to do so.
Sasha Wood
What do you do on a typical shift? I design artwork in range of formats from posters, flyers and social media images, to promote or inform people about all the events run by the SU.
What do you enjoy the most about your job at the SU? I love working being able to work on an event idea and see it come to life through my own artwork and branding, it’s also pretty cool seeing your work all around the University too! What skills have you learnt from being a Student Staff member? I’ve learnt about life as a Graphic Designer within a marketing environment, as well as feeling more confident with the work I produce. I’ve also gained a better knowledge of software such as InDesign, which has positively impacted projects within my course. Have you got any advice for students thinking about having a part-time job and balancing University work? Go for it! My time working at the SU has been extremely beneficial to not just my course, but towards my confidence as a designer. It can be difficult to find a balance between both Uni and work but I feel that I’ve learnt to be more organised and more time efficient because of it.
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Web Content Assistant
What attracted you to the job at the SU? After finishing Year 1, I spent a while job hunting for a role that I could continue with during my second year, but all of the roles I applied for were looking for a full time member of staff. When I saw the SU Web Developer position I knew it would be flexible to my studies and would be something that would benefit my CV for the future of my career. What do you do on a typical shift? I fight with the MSL framework to make web pages that are engaging and responsive. I usually get given briefs of what is required, but sometimes I am given a bit more of the leash and can take a more creative role in conjunction with the other Marketing team staff.
Daniel Nash
What do you enjoy the most about your job at the SU? I love web development, especially if I can code something from scratch using the latest technologies. The feedback that I get is usually really positive and it’s rewarding to see something you’ve created go live and have people using it. What skills have you learnt from being a Student Staff member? How to balance my time between work and studies, and that by working you can earn money and eat more than pot noodles and beans on toast! Have you got any advice for students thinking about having a part-time job and balancing University work? Obviously your studies should come first, you only get one shot at Uni (unless you really want to pay extra and resit modules) but you can earn money at any point in your life. Learning to find the happy medium is always key. My boss is very flexible with my Uni workload & family commitments and understands if I can’t commit to set hours each week.
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Social Media & Promotions Assistant
What attracted you to the job at the SU? I am currently an Event and Venue Management student so I thought this job would be good experience for me when I finish my degree. As the job is in the Students’ Union it is easy to balance studies and my job. I also previously worked on events in the SU so I knew what the environment was already like. What do you do on a typical shift? As I am a Social Media and Promotions Assistant I either put up posters and distribute leaflets or write social media posts for the SU Twitter and Facebook pages. I have worked on events such as the Christmas Fayre and elections which means I can go around talking to students, meeting new people and promoting the events.
Lucy Gutteridge
What do you enjoy the most about your job at the SU? I have a variety of tasks to do so I’m not doing the same thing on every shift which I enjoy as not every shift is the same. I find that working in a part-time job in the Students’ Union also gives me a break from my University work whilst gaining valuable experience for when I finish my degree. The staff are also really friendly and welcoming, it’s a great team to be a part of! What skills have you learnt from being a Student Staff member? I have learnt new marketing skills on how to attract the audience you are aiming for. It has also made me realise I would like to go into a marketing role when I finish my degree. This job has built up my confidence, as on some of my shifts I have to go around talking to students and promoting certain events. This has made my communication skills a lot stronger which could potentially help with my future job. Have you got any advice for students thinking about having a part-time job and balancing University work? It can be difficult finding the balance between University work and a part-time job but as long as you are organised and have set days to complete your work and set days for working at your job it is a lot easier. I have found that working as well as studying has also helped with my work as I am gaining more experience and knowledge in certain subjects. It is also important to let yourself have a break and not over work yourself.
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Squeezebox Assistant
What attracted you to the job at the SU? My friends told me about the job, it is good money and the hours are also good.
Joe Gilpin
What do you do on a typical shift? My role entails making sure the work services and Squeezebox itself is kept clean, cooking and serving the food and interacting with customers making sure they have a nice time.
What do you enjoy the most about your job at the SU? My team is a good team to be a part of. What skills have you learnt? I have been on a food hygiene course and making all the different hot drinks. Have you got any advice for students about balancing work with studies? My advice would be to try not to work unsociable hours as it messes with your sleeping patterns.
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S tudent Experience
Support Staff
Anisah Khalid
What attracted you to the job at the SU? Initially, I was attracted to the flexibility of the job. On being successful in the recruitment process my line manager emphasised that my education was important and that my job would work around my University timetable. I have been working here for over 2 years now and I cannot express just how flexible this job is. Although you are required to do a minimum number of hours each week, it is entirely up to you to choose when you will be working and the number of hours you wish to work above the minimum threshold. I am certain that you won’t find a job that is as flexible as this.
What do you do on a typical shift? My role can vary on a day to day basis, this makes the job exciting. Some of the tasks that I have carried out are as followed. •
Creating training materials for course rep training.
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Actively speaking to students to encourage them to put themselves forward in the elections and encouraging them to nominate their lecturers for the Students’ Union Awards.
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Collecting information from databases I have created and relaying this information in an adequate form.
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What do you enjoy the most about your job at the SU? I enjoy the scope of the job it is not like your standard job. Although you will be given your own projects which you are provided with a sufficient time, you will also have days were you are required to complete what can seem like the most random job, this is half of the fun! I love the atmosphere when you walk through the door and the friendly persona of all the staff; this makes it all the more worthwhile coming into work. The Students’ Union is a family and welcomes everyone with open arms, and there has never been a time that I felt that I could not ask for help or felt like my opinion did not matter.
What skills have you learnt from being a Student Staff member? I have learnt many skills during my time in the Engagement department that I know will help me to progress in my chosen career. This role and the staff at the Union have encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone and take part in all aspects of Union life, whether this be to work on the Reception for a week or to work with the Advice and Support Centre team. I feel that being able to work in different departments has allowed me to gain a better understanding of the work we do as a Union and the way the work is carried out. I have grown in confidence and I feel that I have become a more sociable and well-rounded individual as a result of this job.
Have you got any advice for students thinking about having a parttime job and balancing University work? This job provides students with the flexibility and the support they need to complete their studies while earning money and having fun. I am currently studying for my Masters and have found that although the course is intense, being organised is key. It is not impossible to do a job along with your studies and doing so won’t affect your grades as long as you stay on top of your work.
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City Campus Ambika Paul Building Wulfruna Street Wolverhampton WV1 1LY
Walsall Campus WS Building Gorway Road Walsall WS1 3BD
Telford Campus SA Building Shifnal Road Priorslee Telford TF2 9NT
Tel: 01902 322021 Fax: 01902 322020 E-mail: info.wolvesunion@wlv.ac.uk Website: www.wolvesunion.org
To apply to work at the University of Wolverhampton Students’ Union go to: www.wolvesunion.org/jobs