Thinking of nominating yourself for a role in the Leadership Elections? To help you make your decision, we’ve been reaching out to Sabbatical Officers from previous years to share their experiences of elections.
Thinking of nominating yourself for a role in the Leadership Elections? To help you make your decision, we’ve been reaching out to Sabbatical Officers from previous years to share their experiences of elections.
Three words to describe your election experience
Simon Cook, Education & Welfare Officer, 1986-87: Fun. Educational. Eye-Opening.
Nick Yassukovich, Finance Officer, 1989-90: Tough. Satisfying. Surprising.
What were the highlights of your time in office?
Jamie Green, Vice President Communications and Campaigns, 2012-14: There were various moments when campaigning paid off that I really treasured. One that sticks in my mind was getting a commitment from the University to increase resources on mental health provision, including rolling out mental health first aid training.
Matthew Searle, Vice President Education & Welfare, 2003-04: During our year we successfully lobbied for a lift to make the Students’ Union building fully accessible, oversaw a complete refurbishment of what’s now Medicine and undertook a high-profile membership survey which underpinned the SU strategy for the next three years. I attended NUS national conference and heard some world-famous leaders make memorable speeches.
What is the best thing about being a sabbatical officer?
Nayab Cheema, President (Education & Campaigns), 2015-16: You have the chance to shape the future of students long after your term – there aren’t that many jobs where you’ll have that opportunity!
Alice Goode, Vice President Wellbeing & Diversity, 2021-22: Just the amount of skills you learn! The role is so varied you learn so much. You get the chance to run campaigns, host events, write papers, attend meetings, and chair committees. I gained so many skills that I now use in my job. Being a sabb really prepared me for the working world and massively helped me get the job I wanted after I finished!
Why did you decide to run?
Henn Warwick, Vice President Wellbeing & Diversity & President, 2020-22: In my first year, I remember seeing students dressed up and campaigning outside the library. I spoke to candidates and learnt more about what they were up to and thought it was something I would like to do. In my second year, I met with the then VP Wellbeing and learnt more about the positive changes they had made to campus and most notably the GP surgery. It really inspired me to want to make changes for students, so I decided to run!
Dominic Brown, Vice President Sport, 2018-20: I decided to run for election for two reasons. Firstly, I am incredibly passionate about supporting people to live an active lifestyle. The VP Sport position was a fantastic opportunity to help make sport more accessible for students. Secondly, it was an opportunity to step outside of my comfort zone. Running in a campus wide election is a pretty big deal, but it was a chance for me to develop important skills and build confidence.
Kenny Aruwa, Vice President Education & Welfare, 2012-13: In the run up to nominations, my reasons changed daily, but in the end I just knew it would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and experience… And it was!
Did you learn any skills as a sabb that has helped you in your life since?
Alissa Chohan, Vice President Education, 2020-21: Project management, dealing with conflict, communicating with different audiences, presentation and reporting skills, professionalism...and so much more!
Jack O’Neill, Vice President Education & President, 2018-20: There is honestly so much! I still reflect on my experiences as a Sabb when informing my work now – it is such an eye-opening experience where you’re exposed to situations that normally you’d never be able to at this stage of your career and that means you take on board so many skills, experiences and life-lessons.