1. Representatives Level-up!

2. By the end of this session, you will:
Objectives
By the end of this session, you will:
Recognise that you have developed a wide range of skills, perfect for the world of work;
Learn about some of the opportunities available to you as an amazing academic rep;
Understand how to get take your work with the Students’ Union to the next level.

3. What level are you?
Level 1 A brand new Student, with no idea about the Students’ Union or how to represent others.
Level 50 A new academic rep (because all academic reps are pretty awesome!)
Level 100 Practically perfect in every way. i.e.. Me
Icebreaker
Working with the people sitting near you, take a few minutes to figure out what level you think you are. But be ready to answer:
What achievement as an Academic Rep are you most proud of?
What one thing would you change about yourself to be a better advocate of Student Voice?

4. You’ve done more than you probably think!
What level are you?
You’ve done more than you probably think!
Imagine adding these skills onto your CV:
Experience of communicating at all levels of multi-million pound multi-national organisation
Experience of managing complex complaints and sensitive situations of conflict
Experience of contributing to high level business meetings
A history of contributing to the positive experience of customers in a highly competitive business environment.

5. You’ve done more than you probably think!
What level are you?
You’ve done more than you probably think!
Being an Academic Representative
has given you the opportunities to develop these essential business skills.
So, you’re all awesome world-ready people already! But can we help you go even further?

6. Opportunities to Level Up
Your Students’ Union, supporting Your Future
Developing You Programme
Better Staffs Forum
School Representative
Leadership Race

7. Developing You Programme
So, what it is?
Developing You is a rolling programme of free (or subsidised) development sessions hosted right here on campus.
Sessions include:
Public Speaking Skills
Working with Challenging People
Selling Yourself
Emergency First Aid at Work
Train the Trainer
Leadership 101
Project Management

8. Developing You Programme
Why should you get involved?
These sessions are free (or heavily subsidised) so save you money!
We run them during times that are better suited to Student life
Sessions are ran by friendly Students’ Union staff or by amazing experts from the world of work
You can record the sessions you attend on the Employability Toolkit and earn amazing rewards
All of our qualifications and workshops are transferable to other organisations, so can be added to your CV

9. Developing You Programme
How do you get involved?
Visit from your favourite PC or mobile device
Take a look at our amazing range of sessions and select those that interest you most
Login using your student account
‘Buy’ your free ticket to book on
Sit back and bask in your development glory!
Developing you level up achieved!

10. Better Staffs Forum So, what is it?
The Better Staffs Forum is an critical opportunity for our students to influence the decision making of the Union and University.
Support by elected students, forums regularly hear proposals such as:
Extending the opening hours of technical facilities
Improving library services
Discuss traffic control measures on College Road

11. Why should you get involved?
Better Staffs Forum
Why should you get involved?
You hear the voice of your group of students, this is your opportunity to make sure that voice is heard!
You can make a real impact on real student issues, gaining experience along the way
If the University and Union don’t know about problems, we can’t make changes that matter to you
Where your colleagues feel their voice matters, they are more likely to engage with democracy in the future
You can keep on top of all changes and trends here at the University to feedback to your peers

12. Better Staffs Forum Better Staffs level up achieved!
How do you get involved?
Visit or take a look at your s from the Union
Make proposals to be discussed at the meeting or find the date of the next one
Turn up to take part in the discussions and get a free lunch!
Make a real impact on the life of students at Staffs.
Better Staffs level up achieved!

13. School Representative
So, what it is?
School Representatives are the middle level agents of student voice here at Staffs.
Rewarded with a bursary, school reps liaise with the Senior Management Team of the University and the Student Officer Team to coordinate representation at a School level.

14. School Representative
Why should you get involved?
Build your Management Experience and support a team of Academic Reps to make a difference here at Staffs
Have the scope to manage real world projects and issues
Work closely with the University and Students’ Union, building your experience of the HE Sector
Earn awesome rewards for your incredible efforts
Take your place as a leader of Student Voice here at Staffs

15. School Representative
How do you get involved?
Visit from your favourite PC or mobile device during April/May
Choose your school and apply for the role
Ace your interview with your passion for student voice and wordly ways!
Attend induction training (essential info warning!)
Get ready for brand new adventure into the world of Student Voice.
PS. We might be changing this soon, watch this space!
School Representative level up achieved!

16. Leadership Race So, what it is?
The Leadership Race is your opportunity to lead a multi-million pound charity, whose purpose is to represent the voice of students.
If you are successful in the Leadership Race, you’ll be wholly responsible for the representation of Students here at Staffordshire University.

17. Why should you get involved?
Leadership Race
Why should you get involved?
Build your experience of managing a multi-million pound organisation
Be trained to manage staff, budgets, strategies and customers
Take a visible leadership role in representing the Student Community
Work with an awesome family-like team of staff and students
Be paid to take a 12 month sabbatical from studies

18. Leadership Race Student Officer level up achieved!
How do you get involved?
Nominate yourself or a friend online at
Submit a great manifesto and pull together an amazing campaign team
Come along to the Candidate Academy training sessions and get yourself ready to campaign!
Make your students fall in love with your passion, ideas and general awesomeness!
Watch as the votes pile in and accept your place on the team with pride.
Student Officer level up achieved!

19. Student Officer? I’m not sure…
Being an elected Union official might not be for everybody but you’re already half way there! Don’t give up so easily. Keep your eyes on the Union events calendar and pop along to the ‘Is being a student leader’ workshop. Who knows, you might surprise yourself!

20. But don’t let your student voice be lost.
Nope, still not sure?
Okay. We get it. You might not want to level-up quite so far as participating in the Leadership Race.
But don’t let your student voice be lost.
Use your network of friends and colleagues to encourage people to vote during the Leadership Race instead. Make sure that the right people lead your Union and represent your views.