If you had told first year me that I’d end up being Chairperson of Her Campus DCU, not once, but two years in a row, I probably would’ve laughed, panicked, and checked my Google Calendar all at once. Yet here we are.
For context: I study Communication Studies, a three year course that is linked to journalism and media, which is why I thought becoming a member of Her Campus would be perfect for me (it was!)
I joined Her Campus DCU in my first year and became the PRO (public relations officer), thinking it would be a fun way to get involved, meet people, and add something cute to my CV. Fast forward to second year, and suddenly I was 19 and leading one of DCUs (yet to be) biggest societies. Fast forward once more, and I have now signed up to be chairperson again. Voluntarily?
Being Chairperson sounds very put together on paper. In reality, it’s a mix of planning events, answering messages at odd hours, running meetings, and wondering how your ‘to do list’ got longer instead of shorter. Not a single day goes by where I’m not doing something Her Campus related; whether that’s planning big events, organising meetings, emailing sponsors, communicating with charities, contacting photographers and DJs, designing and editing the magazine, making content, talking to the HC headquarters, helping members etc. Sometimes I question why the committee doesn’t get paid… The grind doesn’t stop, but weirdly I love it.
That’s the thing about the role: it’s time consuming. Like, really time consuming. There are weeks where Her Campus feels like a full time job squeezed between lectures, my part time job, assignments, other societies and my social life. You learn very quickly how to manage your time, prioritise tasks, and reply to emails professionally even when you’re doing it in the taxi from the club at 3am.
But despite the chaos, it’s one of the most rewarding things I’ve done in college…in my life, actually. I’m incredibly proud of the impact we’ve made. Over the past two years, we’ve raised significant money for a range of important causes, showing that a student society can make real change beyond campus. I’ve also started traditions within Her Campus DCU, events and initiatives I truly hope continue long after I step away. It’s also taught me skills I’ll carry far beyond DCU: leadership, communication (very on-brand for a comms student), rapid problem-solving, and how to stay calm when things don’t go to plan… because they rarely do. I’ve learned how to lead a team, listen properly, take risks, and of course, host a BOMB event.
Being Chairperson isn’t always glamorous. It can involve mundane meetings, repetitive forms and documents, quick approaching deadlines, rejection, uncomfortable conversations, and moments of stress. But it’s also laughs, memories, pride, accomplishments and friendships I wouldn’t trade for anything.
So yes, it is time-consuming. Yes, it will become your entire personality. But if you’re even considering getting involved in something like Her Campus, do it.
You might just end up like me, the happiest you’ve ever been.