Written by Annie

Throughout my time at Staffordshire university I have always had a job role on campus which has provided great benefits for my busy schedule and enabled me to continuously commit myself to my work commitments whilst balancing my studies. I have been fortunate enough to be able to secure a multitude of roles working within the students union and with Unitemps as a student ambassador and careers coach for the careers studio. I work two/three jobs whilst studying, however the flexibility of these roles all being on campus allows me to continue to keep my studies a priority. 

Benefits to working on Campus 

• Flexible shift patterns  
• Insight into how the University Runs  

• Perfect Locations 
• Balance studies alongside working  
• Opportunity to enhance skill set 
• Available to work across departments  
• Role progression  

My Experience

Working for the Students Union 

My first role I acquired whilst being at the university was a job as venue staff at the Ember Lounge. Working for the students union enables me to be at the hub of all activity on campus, I have great knowledge of the unions student services, all that they offer to the students and activities that keep the student lifecycle running. I have been able to become a team leader whilst working at the students union and delegate tasks on shift to my colleagues and also become involved in aspects of recruitment such as core competencies for union staff. I have had the opportunity to be an interviewer on recruitment days and secure new intakes of staff across venue departments, this gave me a professional insight into the way in which the organisation runs. Working at Ember has also given me a chance to enhance my skill set there are various qualifications available such as food safety, fire training, terrorism training, and other courses that are accredited to boost your employability. The students union enables flexibility and works around your studies enabling the development of transferable skills and the option to pick up shifts in other departments. Whilst working with the SU I have been able to take shifts at Ember, Greenpad, LRV and Squeezebox which gave me experience in a multitude of different departments under the Unions services. This student role gives a diverse aspect to your CV as there are many opportunities given to working on campus and getting involved within the university community. 

Working for Unitemps 

Within Staffordshire university we have a recruitment agency Unitemps which posts amazing job opportunities available within the university and for other companies advertising roles for graduates, part time, work experience and placements.  

Student Ambassador 

 I found the role of student ambassador advertised on their website and it is extremely student friendly. As a student ambassador there are so many diverse roles and jobs you can sign up for and it is all within a calendar every month that is sent out. You decide if you want to work every month and can sign up to any job that is sent out on their calendar, there is also no worry of balancing your commitments as if you have deadlines or other things to attend in the month you do not have to commit yourself to the roles. As an ambassador I have had the opportunity to work open days, graduation, big events on campus, clearing hotlines and UCAS fairs. This gives you a great opportunity to pick up a multitude of skills and work in various roles. As a student yourself you find it easy to assist other students with any queries they may have and you know the campus well, this facilitates signposting students and those who visit the campus on event days to ensure they have a positive experience and really find what they are looking for. This role is within campus with options to travel to different locations and represent Staffordshire university in different events, they have a lovely supportive team and with any queries about the role or the way it works Unitemps are readily available to answer any queries.  

Careers Coach 

I found the role of a careers coach through the Unitemps website. I have been in the role for just over a year now and have been able to commit myself to my personal and professional development through a supportive management team with the ability to work independently. As a new concept the Careers studio was opened to start peer to peer mentoring for students on campus, this included help across all areas of career planning, CV’s, cover letters, applications and mock interviews. Being a careers coach enables me to pass on knowledge and utilise my research skills to help students in every stage of the student lifecycle. It also allows me to input my experience as a student to continue to promote the careers studio and assist any past/present students that wants to interact with the careers studio. This has benefited me as it has given me an insight into how to plan and start my career alongside what I need to work on to get me onto a career pathway. Working with my colleagues which are other students has allowed a collaborative team working style from a multitude of specialist subjects at all levels and this is what makes the role beneficial to the university and the students its provided for. Within this role I have been given the chance to work on my own project and apply transferable skills to collaborate with managers in the university departments, this is an opportunity I would not have been given if I did not work a student role within a university.  

How can this help me in the long run? 

Working within student roles gives you more opportunities to progress. The university roles and the student union understand your work is a priority and you are here to complete your studies but there is also a massive element of continuous support. They look after your interests in terms of your personal and professional development and provide opportunities to gain extra qualifications, enhance your skill set and work within various roles to experience different work settings.  

To speak to one of our Career Coaches get in touch:

Email: careers@staffs.ac.uk

Twitter: @CareersAtStaffs

Instagram: @CareersAtStaffs

Facebook: Staffordshire University​ Career & Personal Development

LinkedIn: @CareersAtStaffs