Make a real social impact with SHoKE

English Literature MA student Chetna shares her experiences of ARU's Students at the Heart of Knowledge Exchange (SHoKE) programme.

As an ARU student, SHoKE offers you the chance to be part of live projects that inspire social change and gives you a great opportunity to add value to your CV.

What is SHoKE?

SHoKE gives you a chance to make a social impact by working with external organisations on real life issues. It is open to all students and all courses, across ARU.

As a student in the final stage of completing my degree, I was eager to further develop my skills in a fun and engaging environment. SHoKE offered a brilliant opportunity for doing this, through projects specifically aimed at inspiring social change. As part of the Knowledge Exchange Community, I was able to attend workshops led by professionals on leadership, remote team working, and consulting techniques.

I could immediately apply this training in a practical setting by taking part in the Student Consult project. This three-week internship was an enriching experience for me as I got to interact with representatives from Essex County Council to tackle real social problems. I was able to lead the project team and recommend solutions for engaging more young people with the critical issue of climate change.

Taking up this challenge allowed me step out of my comfort zone and develop skills in team work as well as project management. Not only has this massively boosted my self-confidence but helped me build relations with students from diverse courses and faculties.

Work opportunities

The experience I gained from the Student Consult project encouraged me to apply for an Events Delivery and Marketing Internship that came up at SHoKE. I was thrilled to be a part of the team and grow the community by promoting its activities to all ARU students. From engaging with guest speakers to designing social-first content, I thoroughly enjoy the creative process of organising events in the Knowledge Exchange Community.

There are always exciting tasks to get immersed in, including brainstorming new taglines and identifying themes for future Knowledge Exchange Meet Ups. I am grateful to work with highly supportive team members who allow me to experiment with different ideas to inform individuals about the SHoKE programme. As an intern, I also enjoy creating engaging videos and facilitating student discussions on a range of topics like personal well-being.

Supporting the marketing activities of the Knowledge Exchange Community through this internship has enabled me to gain many transferable skills. This has definitely been a good learning curve for me and an invaluable addition to my CV.

Activities and projects

For students eager to make the most of their time at university, I believe SHoKE is a great outlet for creative energy. The community gives individuals a platform to voice their opinions and learn from others by collaborating with them in various challenges. It is always fun to get involved in Knowledge Exchange activities where there are opportunities to team up with students for innovative projects.

You can make a difference by volunteering your time as a speaker in Knowledge Exchange Meet Ups or help regional councils create a significant social impact. Whether you choose to join student-led discussions or unique projects, there are endless opportunities to expand your skillset. SHoKE is a great way to realize your full potential and be a part of a community where students drive solutions.

The Career Centre has details of all projects and SHoKE events. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

By Chetna Jena
MA English Literature student

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