Becoming a Sabbatical Officer gives you a unique insight into how both the Students' Union and the University of Plymouth are run, whilst also providing you with a host of transferable skills to take forward into your professional career after graduating.
As an Officer you will be involved in the highest level of decision making on campus; from monthly meetings with the Vice-Chancellor to sitting on a range of Committees that have oversight over Students' Union finances, staffing and key strategic decisions.
This year the roles have changed to enhance the voice of students, and you'll see that each Faculty will have its own President as well as a Students' Union President who will support students from each Faculty. Find out more about the changes here.
If you want to make a difference, develop new skills, and be a part of a passionate team then apply for a role as a Sabbatical Officer 2025/26.
Any registered University of Plymouth student can apply for a 2025/26 President role: it could be you.
Sabbatical Officers: where are they now?
Alumni Media Arts student Mitch Laughton shares his experience as a Sabbatical Officer in 2022/23 and how it has enhanced his professional skills and shaped his future helping him to secure a lead role in the education sector.
Q. Why did you apply for a Sabbatical Officer position?
I nominated myself for VP Activities to improve support for pupils’ post covid and amid a cost-of-living crisis, foster inclusivity, and encourage participation across sports, societies, and clubs as a collective.
I was focused on supporting and highlighting training for committee members, promoting SU led schemes, and enhancing communication to ensure no student felt isolated. I also wanted to create a stronger sense of community within UPSU’s student groups.
Additionally, I aimed to break down barriers to participation, ensuring every student had the opportunity to find their place in a society, club or student group that suited them.
Q. What are you doing now?
I am currently the Marketing and Communications Lead at an Independent Boarding School which has a large international reputation.
Q. What skills from this role helped you get to where you are now?
Leadership was valuable from this experience, as I managed campaigns and initiatives that directly impacted the student community. This strengthened my ability to set goals, and deliver results, qualities I apply daily in my current role.
Additionally, participating in high-level conversations and negotiations with university executives and external stakeholders gave me valuable insight into strategic decision-making and effective communication. Something I had little experience of before. This has proven invaluable when collaborating with senior managers and external partners in my current role.
Finally, working with a diverse range of students taught me to build rapport, communicate with empathy, and adapt to different cultural perspectives. These people skills are crucial when engaging with international students and families in my current role.
To summarise, the leadership, strategic insight, and interpersonal skills I developed during my time as a Sabbatical Officer have been directly transferable to my current role.
Q. What advice would you give someone who is studying at the university of Plymouth who is thinking of applying for a Sabbatical Officer role?
I would say if you’re thinking of applying take the risk and jump right in and enjoy the experience, for without risk there is no reward.
This is an incredibly unique opportunity to make a real difference for students at a university you care about. Embrace the opportunity, it’s an experience that can shape your career and leave a long-lasting positive impact.
Find out more about how you can apply for a role as a Sabbatical Officer 2025/26 here, inlcuding key dates, F&Qs, and job descriptions.
The roles:
- President Students' Union
- President Faculty of Health
- President Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business
- President Faculty of Science and Engineering
Get in touch:
Your Student Voice team are on hand to talk you through the Elections process if you have any questions or just want to know more about how you can make your voice heard at the University of Plymouth.