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Working at the Students’ Union was a pivotal step in launching my career in Human Resources. Despite having limited experience, I was fortunate to begin as an HR Administrator—a role that allowed me to learn the fundamentals of HR in a dynamic and supportive environment. Working at the Students' Union provided a unique balance: I was gaining practical experience while also having flexibility and support to finish my studies. 

Beyond professional development, I truly valued the opportunity to contribute to student life and make a meaningful impact. My time at the Students' Union not only equipped me with vital knowledge and experience but also inspired a genuine passion for HR that continues to drive my career today.

Starting as a Team Member and progressing into leadership roles across two venues gave me invaluable experience in operations, team management, and high-pressure decision-making. Coordinating large-scale events and working with diverse stakeholders strengthened my communication, organisation, and leadership skills. Balancing this alongside my degree developed strong discipline and time management, foundations I now draw on in my role as a Campaigns and Communications Organiser.

My time at the Students' Union was extremely formative for me, fast-tracking me into leadership and line-managing experience. My time at the Students' Union's various venues (Marquee, Rubix, Manor Park Social) have given me incredible life experiences as well as widely applicable competencies such as a personal license and venue management.

As a Sabbatical Officer, I gained experience in trusteeship and high-level strategic decision-making. These are extremely rare opportunities at such an early point in a career, and equipped me with skills that I have applied across my voluntary and professional work. When I am interviewing for roles, it always surprises hiring managers to hear about my breadth of experience. It's thanks to the empowerment given by the Students' Union that I am as career-confident as I am.

Being part of the Students Union across so many different roles has shaped me in ways I never expected. From working behind the bar to supporting students through Nightline, chairing Surrey Decides, and stepping into leadership and welfare-focused positions, each role has strengthened my confidence and my ability to support others.

These experiences have helped me develop strong interpersonal and teamwork skills, and a real understanding of how the Union operates. More than anything, they’ve shown me how much I enjoy being part of a community that works to make student life better.

I absolutely loved my role as Academic Advice Assistant at the Union and working alongside the wider Students' Union team as it shaped my professional growth and directly strengthened the skills I rely on as a Corporate Communications Manager at NBCUniversal. Supporting students through complex academic processes taught me to communicate clearly under pressure, tailor messages to different audiences, and handle sensitive situations with confidence and empathy. It was so great to work in such a supportive and caring team to develop these skills – all of which I now use daily when engaging with different stakeholders and communicating to audiences around the world.

My experience as Chair of the Student Equality Network was transformative. Supporting initiatives that amplified student voices taught me the importance of empathy, listening deeply, and creating spaces where everyone feels included. It wasn’t just about organising events it was about understanding people, navigating sensitive conversations, and finding creative solutions to challenges. Being recognised with the FABSS Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award was a proud moment, reflecting the impact of the work I was part of.

Those experiences continue to influence my current role in People and Culture, where I apply the same principles to support teams across multiple hotels from fostering inclusive environments to supporting initiatives that truly empower and inspire staff.

Being part of the Union showed me that meaningful change starts with listening, leading, and caring about people lessons I carry with me every day, and I hope others are inspired to seize the opportunities the Union has to offer.

Working at the SU was an essential part of my professional development. It allowed me to develop my soft skills as a real-world employee and manager, whilst I developed my hard skills with my studies. My time at the SU gave me a competitive edge on the job market, not only through exceptional experiences and skills on my CV, but also gave me first-rate testimonials in interviews. For me, the most important benefit was that it was fun! I was paid to work with my friends, to get to know the door staff and stage crew, and to grow overall as a person. I honestly loved working there!

Working at the Union was an excellent opportunity for me to work on my professional development. From day one I was trusted to work independently, conducting research and putting together reports, skills that have come in very useful in my current role in sustainability reporting and carbon accounting.

Working at the Union was the perfect job during my time as a student. I was able to earn money whilst working with people who understood the constraints of studying for a degree. The role of academic advisor allowed me to use my love of advocation to support students through their academic hurdles and achieve really rewarding outcomes. Now, in my pursuit to qualify as a solicitor, there is a real push to explain concepts clearly and concisely for the “normal person’s conception”,  I am really grateful I started to develop this skill within this role.