President #003 - Harkiran Khanna

President of Macquarie University Women in Science and Engineering

LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harkirankhanna/

“Being a leader also encompasses developing relationship.”

Insight #1

I would encourage them to not be afraid of starting new initiatives - whether big or small. This could be mentoring programs organised by society executives in conjunction with industry professionals and academics, or charity events to raise awareness about global issues.

Insight #2

I would also emphasise that being a leader also encompasses developing relationships with Faculties and other societies on campus. Inter-society and inter-disciplinary events not only attract a larger audience, but are also imperative in improving the student experience at universities.

Insight #3

Our STEMMx event is not as big as TEDx events but we invite speakers with STEMM backgrounds to give inspirational TEDx-style talks. This year, we had an engineer from Schneider Electric, and academics from the Department of Computing, Engineering and Biology who gave presentations on 'Women in STEMM industries: challenges and achievements' theme. We had 45 students at the event, and we hope to increase our numbers next year.

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Campus Challenge

Create a charity event + invite another club + utilize a well-known model

Harkiran’s tips were all so good that they have been combined into one, super-sized Campus Challenge.

Yes or No: Does your society currently run a fundraiser in support of a charity?

If your society, a group of likeminded, passionate students have come together to form a community, then coming together to contribute to a cause larger than yourselves is the next step up.

If the answer is Yes, you have a head start. Your challenge could be to break the record for your club in dollars raised.

If the answer is No, you have low-hanging fruit. Low-hanging fruit is an expression that represents an easy win. If no one in the club has formally organized a fundraiser in the past, then proposing it and forming a committee or students to support you to do it is your challenge.

Key steps (and for full details check out Campus UNLEASHED):

(1)     Reach out to other clubs and brainstorm options for challenges/fundraisers;

(2)     Pick a cause that aligns with your shared interests;

(3)     Set a goal and assemble a team;

(4)     Share. Share. Share. Facebook & LinkedIn are your friends;

Consider running an event with admission going to charity e.g. STEMMx