Written by Erin (she/her), student
Being elected on to your high school’s student council provides you with a unique opportunity to grow as a person.
Not only do you get to advocate for your student body and pursue causes you’re passionate about, but you also get the chance to learn from others and develop skills that will help you in both university and on the job.
Below are the top five reasons why you should consider joining your high school’s student council.
1. Soft skills and personal development
Soft skills are one of the most valuable skills you can develop, especially when you go to university. Student council truly gives you the opportunity to foster skills like leadership, communication, teamwork, organization and public speaking – all of which you need in university. Not only do these skills help you in class but they’re also super valuable if you’re interested in co-op programs and job applications.
Student council also gives you the opportunity to focus on yourself. You get to decide how you choose to present yourself, what passions you wish to explore, what kind of leadership style you prefer, and learn what kind of university program or career you think you might enjoy.
2. Expand your résumé
Perhaps you’re looking for a part-time job, applying to university, or considering what a potential co-op job will require. In any case, you’ll need a résumé! Choosing what to include on your résumé can be difficult, especially if you don’t have a lot of work or volunteer experience. Lucky for you, a student council position looks great. It shows employers and universities that you’re passionate and take initiative.
3. Hands-on experience in a safe place
Another great benefit of student council is that you’re gaining super relevant experience. Believe it or not, a lot of the organizing and event planning you do with student council are things you will encounter many times throughout university and your career.
You’re also learning these skills in a safe and comfortable environment with support from your peers to help you succeed and grow.
By having this opportunity in high school, you’ll gain the confidence to pursue further development when you enter your university career, and eventually enter the workforce.
Third-year student Vanessa says "being the student council treasurer in my final year of high school provided me with the skills necessary to make the transition from high school to university a smooth one. I learned about responsibility and confidentiality when dealing with money."
She adds that she also learned about representing a population and speaking on behalf of their wishes and needs.
"My experience as a student council executive has led me to leadership positions in university, like being the chapter president of a sorority."
I became more confident speaking in meetings, proposing original ideas, and working collaboratively with other executives and the student body. Student council is a great learning experience and provides transferable skills that are sure to help in whatever your post-secondary endeavours may be!
4. Networking opportunities
Student council creates an environment where individuals from your high school meet regularly to collaborate on student-led initiatives. You’ll meet different folks with different sets of skills and opinions. You’ll learn how to effectively collaborate with others and use empathy to guide you in your decision making. This is what networking is all about – sharing your thoughts and opinions and learning from others.
5. Learning to be an advocate
By joining your high school’s student council, you’re elected by your fellow students to be their voice on a matter you’re passionate about. You have the chance to support different groups and give a voice to the voiceless. This is a great opportunity to better understand how inequalities affect different individuals and groups, and have a chance to do something about it.
So, there you have it! My top five reasons why you should join your student council. After all, high school is not always about the academics!
