BLOG | Reflections: A Year as a Faculty Representative.
15 September 2023
Yasmine Abdu (UCL Chemical Engineering) reflects on her experience as the Engineering Sciences Faculty Rep - Undergraduate for 2022-2023.
As my year as a Faculty Representative comes to an end, I can't help but reflect on how valuable the experience has been. At first, I wasn’t entirely sure what a faculty representative does. I knew that my role was to serve as a liaison between my fellow students and the faculty, ensuring that their concerns were heard and acted upon. This meant attending meetings, co-chairing SSCCs, engaging in discussions, and advocating for a better experience for students at UCL.
I had monthly catch-ups with the head of faculty sharing your concerns and feedback on timetabling, continuous module dialogue, assessment and feedback, newsletters, SoRAs and careers. I had the chance to conduct extensive surveys, write reports, develop meeting agendas and create PowerPoints, all while working with world-class academics.
What I didn't know was the depth of experience and growth that awaited me. The truth is, the more work you put into your role, the more you get out of it. Having been committed to my role, I was invited to contribute to UCL-wide projects and steering groups. This expanded my impact and influence beyond the Faculty of Engineering, allowing me to work on reshaping UCL's personal tutoring, working on a sustainable program offering at the university and AI in education.
I found the role instrumental in fostering my personal growth, equipping me with crucial skills such as communication, leadership and diplomacy- skills that hold significance in both my personal and professional life, and certainly look great on my CV!
For those considering running as a Faculty Rep this year, my advice to you is to go for it! Give it your 100% and make sure you embrace the role with enthusiasm and passion. Remember that YOU are the voice of your peers, and your commitment to making a difference will leave a lasting impact on their experience at UCL.