Being part of a society or committee at Cambridge (of which there are many) gives you the opportunity to develop a number of core skills, as well as some specialist skills that are role dependent. Being actively engaged with the society and/or committee is the key – and yes, we do mean turning up for socials (think sociability, networking skills etc)! Roles of responsibility, such as being a member of a society or club committee or a representative for your college, give you a chance to hone specific skills and implement change. Elected roles are something to build up to, so getting involved early in your study means you can apply for roles as your time at Cambridge progresses. Some roles are really valued by potential employers – particularly if you want to show investment in a cause or experience working with a specific part of the community.
If you are interested in learning more about your current skills, you can evaluate your skills using the ‘Skills Discovery’ tool, accessible via your CRSID.
Society & committee activities to support progress
Depending on the length of your study you will want to get involved sooner rather than later. Here are just a few examples of the types of roles available:
- Cambridge Union Debating
- Campaigning committee - chair
- Campaigning committee - officer
- Campaigning committee - representative (rep)
- Campaigning committee - secretary
- College Representative
- Course representative
- JCR - Committee - Internet Officer
- JCR Committee - Disabilities Officer
- JCR Committee - Entertainment Officer
- JCR Committee - Gender/LGBTQ Officer
- JCR Committee - Green/Sustainability Officer
- JCR Committee - President/Vice President
- JCR Committee - Sports Officer
- JCR Committee - Treasurer
- JCR Committee - Welfare/Equal Opportunities
- May Ball Committee
- MCR - Committee - Internet Officer
- MCR Committee - Disabilities Officer
- MCR Committee - Entertainment Officer
- MCR Committee - Gender/LGBTQ
- MCR Committee - Green/Sustainability Officer
- MCR Committee - President/Vice President
- MCR Committee - Sports Officer
- MCR Committee - Treasurer
- MCR Committee - Welfare/Equal Opportunities
- Society committee - careers
- Society committee - events
- Society committee - leadership role (President/Vice)
- Society committee - marketing/publicity
- Society committee - secretary
- Society committee - treasurer
- Society committee - web officer
- Society member- recreational
- Sport committee - marketing/social media
- Sport committee - president
- Sport committee - secretary
- Sport committee - social/ents sec
- Sport committee - treasurer
- Sport committee - web officer
- Sport committee - welfare
Core skill areas developed in societies & committee activities
Presentation, negotiation and influencing skills
Interpersonal, communication and social skills
Leadership and management skills
Specific skills that can be developed in these core areas
- Ability to advocate
- Accountability
- Active Listening
- Asking the right questions
- Building networks
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Crafting an inspiring vision
- Creativity and imagination
- Critical thinking
- Decisiveness
- Developing relationships
- Digital collaboration
- Digital literacy
- Digital marketing/social media
- Drive change and innovation
- Empowering others
- Engaging with society
- Entrepreneurial thinking
- Evaluation of arguments
- Event management
- Fluency of ideas
- Fostering Inclusiveness
- Initiative
- Inspiring Trust
- Integrity & Ethical behaviour
- Leadership
- Persuasion
- Project management
- Reasoning, problem solving and ideation
- Self-motivation
- Strategic planning
- Technology design and programming
- Time management and prioritization
- Web development
- Working with accuracy
- Work-plan development
How to find opportunities in Cambridge
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Look through the Cambridge Students Union societies directory (find or start a society- all with various committee roles) and the list of Registered Clubs & Societies. Take a look at their activities and how to get involved.
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Ask your Faculty about supporting open days or becoming a course representative
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Become a member of your college JCR/MCR (including roles in welfare, social media, LQBTQ+ officers, environment, IT)
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Become a member of your college’s May Ball committee.
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Ask your college about their student-body roles at college-level, for example https://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/study/life-at-kings/representation
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Visit the Sport ‘Clubs & Activities’ pages
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Refine your teamwork and leadership skills with military, air and sea training