SWCC offers bursary for student liaison

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A university bursary of $1,000 is being made available for a student liaison through the Strathmore Wheatland Chamber of Commerce (SWCC).

Applicant students for the liaison position can be in Grades 11 or 12. SWCC Board Chair Whitnee Sidloski said the student they are looking for ideally should have a skill set in social media and website development, who is looking to expand their repertoire.

“We have people on our board (who) can really help them learn more about those things,” she said. “It is really working with the team within the board and it is a really unique opportunity for an individual and looks really good on a resume.”

This year is not the first that the SWCC has sought a student liaison, and according to Sidloski, the organization is extremely excited to be able to offer the $1,000 university bursary.

The duties of the liaison will largely revolve around social media, and regarding the SWCC website. If something requires updating, or details surrounding an event need to be published, the student will be responsible. The successful applicant will also be expected to attend board meetings. 

“We are looking for a specific type of person (who) has a couple of hours a week, (who) can put into it and work alongside some other people on the board of the SWCC,” said Sidloski. “The plan is to have the student liaison work with the communications team and maybe meet once a week. We try to work really hard on working around the schedule that the student liaison has at school, extracurriculars, or if they have a job.”

Previously, the position has been exclusively available to Grade 12 applicants, who are on the cusp of high school graduation, though Grade 11 students had expressed interest in the opportunity. 

 Sidloski added it would be advantageous for a Grade 11 student to obtain the position, as they would be able to serve a two-year term before graduating out and would benefit from the additional experience. 

Additionally, the SWCC has previously offered $500 for the university bursary, but has now upped the offer to $1,000 in an effort to make the position more enticing for students to apply. 

Any students who are interested in applying to be the liaison for the SWCC are encouraged to send an email (board@theswcc.ca).

Included in the email should be a resume and a write up describing oneself, as well as activities the applicant is involved in, and why they should be considered for the position.

The SWCC will be accepting student applications until Oct. 24. No formal date has been scheduled as to when the successful candidate will be announced.