33	Run for student government

If you’re the go-getting type who wants to make real change on campus, consider running for student government. Not everyone at your school cares as much about administration transparency, equal rights, facilities problems, the arts, or anything as much as you do, so put that energy to good use and sign up for student government.

Being part of student government has many benefits. You’ll be working side by side with the school administration, which will give you endless networking and learning opportunities. Your experience could pave the way for a career in management or politics. Most importantly, you’ll be better equipped to make change on campus that you can be proud of for years to come.

HOW TO DO IT

Here’s how to run for student government.

1 / GET INVOLVED. Running for, and serving in, student government is no cakewalk, and it’s not for everyone. To figure out if student government is for you, don’t walk in blindly: Get involved. Attend student council meetings. Find out about structure, policies, campaign time lines, length of term, or any other details that might concern you.

2 / PREPARE TALKING POINTS. Besides the issues that interest you, find out which issues concern your fellow students. Maybe a lot of students are upset about dining hall prices or the lack of grassy areas on campus. Listening to what matters to them will help you find your talking points and show voters that you care about what they think.

It’s a 24/7 job . . .

You may not be running for president of the United States, but you still need to keep your game face on if you’re running for student government. In an age when almost everything gets blasted on the internet, remember to use common sense. Don’t make insensitive comments or put yourself in compromising positions in public. You don’t want anything you do, on or off the record, to negatively reflect on you and your campaign.

3 / SEND A MESSAGE. Draft a reasonable outline of your position as a candidate. Focus on two or three key points that directly affect a large portion of the student body. Don’t make promises you can’t keep. If this is your first time in student government, you’ll need to learn the ins and outs before you can make major change.

4 / CAMPAIGN HARD. Promote yourself! Chat up your fellow students in classes or around campus. Post flyers and reach out using social media. Don’t go on the offensive against your opponent at any stage of the campaign. It wouldn’t reflect well on you, and your opponent might counterattack in the worst way. Just stick to your guns and be yourself, and you’ll feel good about your campaign whether you win or not.