As part of our run-up to the Leadership Race we decided it was vital to speak to a former student officer who's moved on from university; someone who can provide tips and advice for potential candidates, as well as know-how on where the experience can get you in the future.
Mel Ramsay left her post last year after graduating university and has since landed a job at TheLADbible, an online phenomenon that pulls in millions of views daily. We asked her how she remembers her Leadership Race and how much of her success she can attribute to being the elected president of Staffs Union.
"Running in the Leadership Race was one of the most stressful yet rewarding things I've ever done," Mel told us.
"Running was brilliant, I made loads of new friends in the form of other candidates, as well as speaking to a wide range of students with lots of different perspectives that I hadn't really considered before.
"Winning was incredible. The first time round I wasn't confident at all so it was a big shock. The second time round I was even LESS confident. I didn't know if I'd have enough of an impact in my first year. Being elected president is still one of my favourite memories from my time at university."
Mel told us about the lessons she learnt during her time in office and admitted that she felt "overwhelmed" initially, only really getting into her stride by the second semester: "I had realised the ins and outs of the job by this point and realised I couldn't do everything - so I concentrated on a few key issues. First and foremost, the general election. That campaign was my baby and I feel like a lot of things were accomplished that I may not have been able to cope with in my first term.
"The main lesson I learnt was (again) understanding different people's points of view. The student body is incredibly complex and diverse. One person's experience is just a drop in the ocean. Now, at TheLADbible, I can interview people with a completely open mind. You never know what people are thinking."
Because of her time as an officer, Mel didn't just leave Staffs with a degree in Journalism, she left with a wealth of experience that gave her job application the edge over the competition, as well as preparing her for a working environment.
"I feel that my time as an officer was incredibly important in terms of my development," she said.
"I have always wanted to be a journalist or writer, so I ensured that during my time as a student I took part in as much work experience as possible (Sky News, obituary writing, local newspapers), however when I was an officer, the opportunity to take part in BBC's Generation 2015 came up.
"This was a hand-picked group of young people who expressed their views regarding the general election through the mediums of TV, radio and online content. My job as president gave me the flexibility to complete my role as well as attend these BBC organised events, as I was representing the student voice at a national (and sometimes international) level. I feel that this really helped me get my current role in the media."
When asked to suggest some top tips for students considering joining the Leadership Race, Mel's response was simple: "Just do it."
"Even if you aren't successful in securing a position, you learn so much whilst running. You can show future employers that you have marketed yourself, ran a campaign and put yourself out there.
"To win, you need to ensure that you are kind. That's the main thing. No-one wants to vote for someone who is unkind about other candidates. Everyone's in the same boat. Also, don't try and promise the world! I promise you, you won't have time. Concentrate on three main objectives and you'll do fine.
"It's an incredible experience."
To find out more about the Leadership Race, click here: http://ow.ly/X56DV