A Three Part Series from the coordinators at the USC – Part 3
Within the USC, there exists an opportunity for everyone. From Coordinator positions, internships, and leadership roles such as associate vice presidents, students have the chance to forge new connections, acquire valuable experiences, and apply and enhance their skills and knowledge.
Being a Coordinator offers students the opportunity to explore and learn about the USC as an institution on campus which is heavily involved and responsible in the daily activities of student life. Taylor Jones, this year’s Charity Coordinator, emphasizes this, “My role as Coordinator has opened up opportunities in my life just by allowing me to have a better understanding of what actually takes place at this school and what the USC does for students.”
For students like Taylor, this initial opportunity extended to another, encouraging them to share their learning with the wider student body. “It has allowed me to reach out to other people on campus who have no idea what the USC is or the opportunities it offers, and open their eyes to a new world of experiences that they can be involved in,” Taylor shared.
As former faculty council presidents, both Jack Liang, serving as the Student Experience Coordinator, and I, as the Brand Journalism Coordinator, have experienced firsthand how these Coordinator roles offer a renewed outlook on student life. Furthermore, they provide invaluable opportunities to directly improve the student experience at Western in more targeted and impactful ways. Ultimately, the Coordinator role acts as a pathway for prior experience to grow in other places.
When delving deeper into his role, Jack explained that his experience as president has equipped him to target specific areas of the student experience, particularly in University affairs. This involves crafting policies aimed at enhancing student experiences and organizing events to support mental health and academic services, among other initiatives. Jack remarked, “In my position, I’ve had the opportunity to work on projects that generate meaningful impacts and witness them flourish in front of me. Additionally, engaging with students through these projects allows me to gauge the impact of USC Coordinators’ efforts firsthand, while also learning how we can further enhance our services. It’s truly a rewarding moment and opportunity.”
Some Coordinator have also had little to no involvement with the USC prior to their role, earning them the opportunity to step outside of their comfort zone. Mansi Sethi, for example, had never worked with the USC before becoming Campus Campaigns Coordinator last year—continuing in the role this year as well. Initially, she looked at the role in a very logical sense, which made her question the purpose and potential impact of the position.
However, unlike school and other jobs she has had, the Coordinator role opened up the opportunity to think in a way she had never thought before. “Being the Campus Campaigns Coordinator has brought the opportunity to think and be more creative without limitations, which is usually unlike me. It has also shown me that different definitions and outlets of creativity exist through my opportunities to talk with so many different people within and outside of the USC,” she said.
Mansi also highlighted the opportunity to create one’s own incentives within the coordinator role, suggesting that students can tailor their initiatives to address specific needs or interests within the student community. In this respect, being a coordinator offers students the opportunity to work on the things they are passionate about outside of the classroom, whether it be charity, food support, mental health, gender equity, and more.
Within the Coordinator role, there also exists opportunities for connection, friendship, mentorship, and inspiration. Shveta Suresh, the Wellness Equity Coordinator shared that Maria Farooq, Vice President of University Affairs, has been a great source of support and inspiration to her. “Working with Maria under her portfolio has been one of the greatest opportunities at my time at Western so far. She embodies what a great leader is and teaches the people around her to be kind, encouraging, yet still remain assertive. To me the Coordinator role is an amazing opportunity to learn, understand, and observe effective leadership”, explained Shveta.
As most would expect, being a Coordinator for the USC also offers potential opportunities in careers. Jenna Lam, the Food Support Services Coordinator, says that “At the USC, you gain a truly hands-on experience as a Coordinator. I feel empowered to take the lead in planning events, designing programs and implementing policies. I believe it offers a pathway to potential leadership-oriented careers down the line!” Jenna’s thoughts, highlights how the coordinator role not only enhances student experiences but also serves as a stepping stone toward future professional endeavors.
Upon deeper reflection, Coordinators often express that their position has facilitated a profound and enhanced understanding of themselves. The inherently explorative nature of the Coordinator role entails not only delving into ideas, projects, and resources but also navigating personal introspection. As they engage in this exploration, Coordinators concurrently uncover insights into their identity, their role’s significance, and their aspirations for both their current position and beyond.
For students interested in becoming a Coordinator, this series culminates with a final push and encouragement, accompanied by insightful words from Mansi. “Having a part-time job on campus that not only connects you with people in your community but also offers a glimpse into the subtle workings of organizations like the USC, is one of the best opportunities– seize it! I wish students understood that the USC plays a significant role in nearly every aspect of their University experience—and if they aspire to instigate change and have a voice, joining the USC is the pathway to achieving it.”
If being a Coordinator interests you please visit https://westernusc.ca/jobs/coordinators/ for more information.
Thank you to all the Coordinators who contributed to this story.
