Student Communications Assistant, Nyasha reflects on her time working at RHSU alongside her studies.
Nyasha Mandivenga
Student Communications Assistant
As my graduation day draws nearer, it marks the end of my time as a Royal Holloway student, and student staff member at RHSU. As I prepare to embark on the next chapter of my life, I can't help but take a moment to reflect on the unexpected yet rewarding experience of working as a Communications Assistant for the Students' Union. Initially, it wasn't a part of my plan, but looking back, I am grateful for the opportunity and the valuable lessons it has taught me.
I’ll be completely honest when I first arrived at Royal Holloway in 2020, my focus was solely on academics and immersing myself in the college experience. Working for the Students' Union had not crossed my mind. As a self-proclaimed "master planner," I meticulously mapped out my university journey, from module choices to social events and societies. However, I had not considered the possibility of taking on a job alongside my studies.
A Change of Perspective
At first, the idea of juggling work and studies seemed overwhelming. I was concerned that it would add unnecessary pressure and responsibility to an already busy academic life. But sometimes, life presents us with unexpected opportunities that we initially overlook. It was during my second year as I was planning and looking for internships for the summer, that I stumbled upon the jobs available at the SU and found the Communications Assistant role - which was similar to some of the jobs I’d been applying for! And now as I look back, with the amount of freedom I was given to decide my hours, choosing what days and times worked best for me, it feels silly that I thought it would be too overwhelming. I was able to cut back my hours when my workload increased or take on a few when I had more time! Thinking about it now, taking on the role was one of the best decisions I made during my time at university. It provided me with a unique set of experiences and skills that complemented my academic studies.
A Great Experience
Working at the SU exceeded all my expectations and proved to be an invaluable and incredibly enjoyable experience. Prior to joining the team, I held a pessimistic view of the office working world, assuming it to be filled with shallow relationships, cutthroat competition, and a focus solely on profit rather than customer/student care. However, my perspective completely changed from the moment I attended my induction day. The atmosphere was light and positive, and everyone genuinely enjoyed each other's company. It was a refreshing change from the corporate world's stereotypes. The team hangs out after work, music plays in the background, and the overall vibe is uplifting. Being part of the team and assisting in content planning, blog writing, and managing social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter provided me with an inside look into the immense effort they invest in making students' university experience better- cut them some slack, they really do try! Seeing their dedication and genuine care for students gave me a newfound respect and appreciation for their work. I’m truly honoured that I got to be part of such a great team.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my role was being able to contribute to the planning and execution of various communication campaigns. Whether it was brainstorming ideas for engaging social media campaigns, writing captivating blog posts, or creating visually appealing content, I felt a sense of pride in my work. The support and encouragement from my teammates helped me to be more creative and fun with the content I was producing, while also pushing me to deliver my best and constantly improve my skills.
A Bid Farewell
As I prepare to bid farewell to Royal Holloway and embark on the next chapter of my life, I can confidently say that working for the Students' Union was a valuable and fulfilling experience. It showed me that a workplace can be both productive and enjoyable, fostering genuine connections and a shared passion for creating a positive impact. I will always cherish the memories, the lessons learned, and the friendships formed during my time. I’ll miss being part of the Marketing & Comms team.