Wednesday 17-02-2016 - 17:00

Want to #BeSomebody and show what you're capable this year? Thinking about nominating yourself for a position in the MDXSU Elections?

 

Middlesex Students' Union is led by students, and the MDXSU Elections are how we find next year's leaders - from our full-time paid officers to part-time trustees, national representatives and more.

 

Leading your Students' Union gives you the opportunity to lead an organisation with 18,000 members and it gives the power to change things at Middlesex and beyond. Not your average job opportunity - this is something unique!

 

Thinking about it? We're here to clear up any MDXSU Elections misconceptions before nominations close this Friday 19th February at 4pm. Here are our top ten mythbusting facts!

 

Fact 1: Any registered MDX student can stand for a full or part-time position

Whoever you are, whatever year you’re in. That said, getting involved earlier means you’ll make more of your university experience. There are a whole host part-time voluntary posts requiring between three days a year and a few times a term, or you can take a year out of your studies for a full-time paid position, like our President and Vice President (though it's worth chatting to your programme leader about this first).

 

Fact 2: In your final year? Hello grad job!

Graduating this year? Stand for a full-time position! Get elected in March and this July you can walk out of university straight into a full-time, £21,840-a-year job with 25 days paid annual leave. By the following July (or the July following that if re-elected) you’ll have utilised all the skills you gained through your degree and gained a whole host of other ones, setting you up perfectly for your next career move.

 

Fact 3: You do have the time!

We know how busy MDX students are, but with the range of full-time and part-time roles on offer there’s no need to miss out on the opportunity. Commitment for part-time posts varies from three days a year to a few times a term, or you can take a year out from your studies and stand for a full-time position!

 

Fact 4: There's no person specification - just be you

All you need is an interest in your fellow students and the enthusiasm to change Middlesex for the better; there's no specific experience required for any full-time or part-time post. Make the most of your strengths and celebrate your qualities and experience, and if you have responsibilities outside university, let students know! You’ll strike a chord with students in a similar position, who may appreciate being represented by someone like them.

Once elected you’ll get all the training, support and information you need to do your job – you aren’t expected to have any prior knowledge of how things work within the university or Students’ Union.

 

Fact 5: It’s a new experience for almost everyone

Standing for election and campaigning for votes is a completely new experience for the vast majority of candidates, but don't worry! MDXSU will be on hand to help all candidates prepare for your campaign (and for your new job if elected!). As well as training workshops and support from the Student Voice team, all candidates will receive a campaigning budget and materials, so don’t worry about racking up a printing bill for your piles of flyers. You'll also be able to recruit your friends to help you campaign, which leads us onto...

 

Fact 6: You won’t be on your own!

As well as free training, mentoring and useful resources from Middlesex Students' Union, you'll have your campaign team on hand to support you! Persuade some friends to help you out, whether they're putting their artistic talents to good use designing your manifesto or chatting to students about how great you are during voting week. With their help you’ll be able to do more and be in multiple places at once, and you can celebrate all your hard work together on results night!

 

Fact 7: You'll become a pro at talking to strangers

Winning votes and writing an amazing manifesto is all about meeting other students and listening to what they have to say. Show that you understand where they’re coming from and how you can help, and take the time to talk to people during voting week, and you’ll have the votes rolling in.

Chatting to strangers and giving speeches can be nerve-racking for lots of people, but you’ll have your campaign team to help you out, as well as MDXSU training and support - come to a public speaking workshop! Don’t let your nerves stop you stepping outside of your comfort zone; you’ll discover you’re far more capable than you realise!

 

Fact 8: It looks amazing on your CV

Yes, standing for election isn't just about boosting your employability, but it's an amazing side effect! Whatever position you're standing for you'll gain a wealth of skills and experience that employers will love, even if you don't get elected. Solely by standing and campaigning you'll gain evidence of public speaking, time-management, written and verbal communication, strategy, leading and teamwork, and more.

 

Fact 9: You'll leave a genuine legacy at Middlesex and beyond

If you get elected, whether to a full-time or part-time position, you’ll have the power and position to make a genuine difference at MDX, in the local community and even nationally. 

In the past few months alone students leaders at MDXSU have successfully campaigned to resettle fifty Syrian refugees in Barnet; they’ve sat in university meetings and blocked proposals which would have had a negative effect on students; they’ve negotiated a 30% food discount for students at Whittington hospital; they’ve had a key part in developing university strategy; they’ve revamped our student media; they’ve negotiated for societies to be finally be allowed to host bake sales; they’ve held the university to account about broken lifts and they’ve had a key say in our events and elections.

Whether you you’re a student trustee on MDXSU’s highest governing body or you help set national policy at the NUS Conference, you'll have the power to make change and turn your ideas into action.

 

Fact 10: It’ll help you land that dream job

What can you do now that’s going to help you get that dream job in the future? Getting elected gives you loads to talk about at interviews, and showcases skills and qualities that employers from all industries love, such as drive and enthusiasm, and an interest in improving the world around you. You’ll also make lots of contacts and connections – who knows who might help you find a job in the future?

Journalist Liz Rawlings nabbed her job at the BBC thanks to her position as a President with Edinburgh Uni:

"Being a student officer shows you’re a go-getter and that you’re passionate and engaged in the world around you. Which employer wouldn’t want that in a staff-member? I worked hard as President, had a lot of fun, learnt invaluable new skills and made lifelong friends. Go for it!"

 

 

Nominations close on Friday 19th February, so don't leave it too late! Click here to nominate yourself online now. Manifestos can be submitted later - email us by Wednesday 24th February.

 

Any questions we haven't covered? Head to www.mdxsu.com/elections or drop in to the MDXSU offices for a chat any weekday 2-4pm until Wednesday 24th February. You can also call us on 0208 411 6450 or email us at studentvoice@mdx.ac.uk.