Many paid and volunteer opportunities with the UPEI Student Union

by Stella Shepard and Heidi Riley

The UPEI Student Union is a not-for-profit organization that represents full-time students at UPEI. The organization’s function and hiring and job postings are completely separate from the university.

“Our budget comes from student fees, and that is how we pay our staff and provide services and hold student events,” says Melissa Morrow, General Manager, UPEI Student Union.

“Our main roles are advocacy, providing services to students including a health and dental insurance plan, clubs and societies, student funding, campus patrol and safe drive program, student handbooks, events and campaigns, Fox & Crow restaurant, and wet/dry dances.”

Melissa is one of five paid full-time staff members of the Student Union. The remainder are students, with the exception of four paid seasonal non-student staff. Melissa’s main role is to help the student union executives and staff with projects they are working on, provide direction and guidance, answer questions, and perform accounting work to keep the organization running.

Anthonia Bebiem, VP Student Life, is one of the four paid student executives on the Student Union. She is in charge of campus activities and works with on-campus societies and clubs and with the executive.

“I was able to get my position because I ran for council and was elected,” says Anthonia. “All full-time students are eligible to run for a position. Positions include President of the Student Union, VP Academic and External, VP Student Life, and VP of Finance & Administration. Those four paid positions are full-time during the summer and part-time during the school year.”

There are also paid coordinator roles for students available in Academic, Policy & Research, Events & Campaigns, Services, and Marketing. These roles report to the President or Vice Presidents.

Paid positions are also available at Fox & Crow, the restaurant/pub on campus. “We are always looking for staff Servers, Bartenders, and Security. With class schedules, it is hard to get people to fill all the shifts.”

Other paid positions include Editor and two staff members at The Cadre student newspaper, a Yearbook Editor and staff, the Chair, who oversees council, a Deputy Chair, who takes the minutes, and more.

There are also volunteer counsellor positions that students can apply for during the election period. The list includes:

• School of Mathematical & Computational Sciences (SMCS) Rep
• Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Rep
• Business Rep
• Nursing Rep
• Engineering Rep
• Arts Rep
• Science Rep
• Residence Rep
• 2SLGBTQIA+ Rep
• International Student Rep
• Veterinary Medicine Rep
• Graduate Student Rep
• Ombudsperson

“A popular misconception is that you have to be a political science student to be on council,” says Anthonia. “You can be from any discipline. There are so many ways to apply your skills.”

“These positions can build skills that can help you down the road when you move on to other positions after graduation,” says Melissa. “We are very flexible. Many positions do not have set hours, so that you can work around class schedules and exams.”

Paid student jobs that are available for the summer and those starting in September 2023 will be posted at www.upeisu.ca

To apply for a paid position with the UPEI Student Union, students can send their resumé and cover letter to hiring@upeisu.ca or visit the Student Union office on campus.

For more information about jobs with the UPEI Student Union, visit www.upeisu.ca/jobs or search UPEI Student Union on Facebook.

Volunteering with the UPEI Student Union

“Volunteering is a great way for students to get involved, meet new people on campus, and gain valuable work experience,” says Melissa.

Are you looking for a volunteer opportunity to build your resumé? Are you interested in learning more about the day-to-day operations of the UPEISU? Do you simply wish to help out? The UPEISU hosts a variety of different events, campaigns, and workshops, which are only possible to carry out effectively with the help of volunteers.

For more information about volunteering with the UPEI Student Union, visit www.upeisu.ca/volunteer