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Student Partner Program
The Student Partner Program connects together like-minded students in each area of study in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
If you're studying in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, the Student Partner Program connects you with other students in the faculty. Your community is led by your Student Partners, who are elected student leaders responsible for advocating for you and building your experience at university.
You have the opportunity to:
- participate in student programs, events and activities created by your Student Partners in collaboration with staff in your area of study
- give feedback on teaching and learning in your area of study and anything to do with your experience as a student in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
In 2024, you can join your community through Student Partner Community Platform.
Becoming a Student Partner
If you're interested in developing your leadership skills and experience, you have the opportunity to apply to join the Student Partner Program in the second half of Semester 2 each year (for the following year).
By joining the program as a Student Partner, you’ll get the opportunity to:
- develop practical skills and experience working on initiatives that impact the academic success and wellbeing of other students in our community
- receive training and mentoring from experienced professional and academic staff in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
- access VIP career development opportunities designed for student leaders
- meet other high achieving student leaders who are passionate about our community and build your networks
- be recognised as an emerging future leader.
Last year just some of the achievements of our Student Partners included representing the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences on the national and international stage, developing innovative student initiatives, contributing to University-wide strategy development and being awarded Student Leader of the Year.
What's involved
You can choose to become a Student Partner on a Discipline, Stream or Faculty Committee level.
As a Student Partner, your responsibilities are to:
- complete training
- be available to fulfil a one-year term
- complete a minimum of eight volunteer hours per semester
- keep in regular contact with students and staff in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
- attend all meetings throughout your term, if you are a Committee-level Student Partner.
Volunteer opportunities
There are a range of different ways you can complete your eight volunteer hours per semester. You can work on any activity that benefits the student experience in our community. Examples of volunteer activities you might like to work on include:
- Academic activities - giving feedback to staff within your area of study, creating a student survey, undertaking research, attending a conference or creating a study group
- Health and wellbeing activities - volunteering for our Therapaws: Dog therapy program, creating a podcast or other resources to enhance the student experience
- Social activities - creating a trivia night, coffee catch-up or welcome party in your area of study
- Communications activities - writing for our student eNewsletters, creating social media content, designing graphics, producing videos or taking photos at events run by the Student Affairs and Engagement team
- Student support activities - volunteering at Open Day, Info Day or during the Welcome Program.
If you have further questions about becoming a Student Partner, contact us at fass.studentpartners@sydney.edu.au.
How to apply
Applications for joining the Student Partner Program open in the second half of Semester 2 each year (for the following year). Find out more information and apply.
As part of your application, you will need to write a 100-word statement of interest, which will be shared with your peers. This statement should tell other students in your area of study why they should choose you as one of their Student Partners.
Below are some tips from previous representatives on writing a statement.
- Be honest about why you want to join the program.
- Think about what it means to you, but also your goals as a Student Partner and why you want to make the student experience better.
- Put yourself in the shoes of the audience, and ask yourself 'If I was voting for a Student Partner, what would I like to see?'
- Be realistic about your goals, intentions and what you can achieve as a Student Partner.
- Tell them about your interests.
- Discuss any past experience you might have for example as a volunteer, in your unit of study or through work.
- But don't be afraid to apply if you don't have any experience yet - many people don't.
- Highlight your values and skills.
- Be humble, courteous and polite and show you want to work to serve your peers.
- Always write a clear and concise statement - if it is too long, students will get bored!
Last updated: 25 January 2024
