I remember when I started university; it seems so long ago now! I remember thinking to myself three years of nights out, uni work and making friends, but definitely no job! I had a part time job before university and wanted this time to myself. I say this but, during Freshers week the role of the student ambassador was presented to my class and it actually was pretty interesting.

A paid position involving talking to prospective students, showing them around our awesome facilities and giving advice where I could. It seemed too good to be true. I can tell you, it’s not!

The role of a student ambassador can be as extensive as you want it to be… including open days (I’m mainly at Lansdowne as I’m a health care student), helping out at big events up at the Talbot, going to career fairs to advertise the university, going to schools to promote university life, helping out at graduation. There are literally jobs in any area, so no matter what your strength is there’s an opportunity, you can support the university and earn a bit of cash! Plus, the job is effectively zero hours, meaning you put your availability on an online timesheet and receive texts or emails when there are jobs to do! It couldn’t be easier!

I’m not going to lie there’s a lot of people that apply for the various roles so you need to make sure you are prepared to fight for the position and sell yourself like you would for any job interview. The recruitment process usually involves observed team building activities and you writing a full application. It sounds intense but seriously its fine, I mean I got in, so why can’t you?

Once you’ve been successful and gained a place as a BU student ambassador (say it with pride), you will attend a training day so that you are fuelled with all the knowledge you need to know, for open days especially (with free pizza at the end- always a bonus for students). I found that generally the more open days I helped at, the more I grew in confidence! I am now at the point of not needing a prompt sheet, I know what to say and how to inform those visiting the university. Honestly, the confidence with becoming a student ambassador has really helped me in other areas, within university modules and in my personal life too.

So, I’ve told you what a student ambassador is, how to become one but why do it (other than the added bonus of cash)? Think how it will look on your CV, you were actively involved in promoting your university to other students and passionate about getting younger adults to consider university as an education pathway, enhancing knowledge and gaining life skills!

Becoming a student ambassador will help you personally and professionally develop, you’ll meet some great people, have fun on jobs whilst being paid and gain some great life experience! Give it a go! Plus you get a pink hoodie- for free!

By Robert Wallace