I joined the Faculty Council of the Faculty of Social Sciences as a student representative in the autumn of 2022 after starting my studies in social research in the same autumn. Having applied for university studies for the second time after leaving the Bachelor’s Programme in Early Childhood Education at the University of Jyväskylä in 2016, I returned to be a university student after years in working life and as an entrepreneur.
After admission, I made the decision to not get into student activities and just focus on finishing my studies. In autumn of 2022 I was already working two jobs and applied in an instant when I saw a halloped search ad on TREY’s social media. Later I have also been a tutor for international students, and currently I’m also the chair of TREY’s election committee operating under the executive board. Because in the end – why not!
I probably can’t do anything else after my active career that started in 2003. I have no idea what the first title was, but it had something to do in supporting first grade students in elementary school. After that, I have gained experience as a support student and tutoring in elementary school and upper secondary school, as well as a student of trust a couple of times.
In the Faculty Council of the Faculty of Social Sciences, we have had a diverse group of students from different fields of Social Sciences during my terms 2023–2024 and 2025–2026. We have each had our own strengths, points of view and ways of advocating in our faculty. Current issues from the Tampere University community as well as especially our own University, campus and faculty management, research, teaching and studies are actively raised into discussion in the Faculty Council. As a student I feel that I’m learning at meetings but also participating as an equal member of the Council, bringing the student point of view to the science community in my own Faculty as well as the university at large.
Being a halloped, I’ve learned a lot about university administration, learned to see causal relationships more broadly with different decisions and changes in our society and university, and got to know many people smarter than myself. I’ve also brought up my own as well as my peers voices out especially issues considering artificial intelligence, equal completion methods of courses and student well-being. This I’ve done taking into consideration my earlier work experience in teaching and guidance tasks.
After being elected for a second term, I was also asked to familiarize my new colleagues to the position. As hallopeds, we are each our own kind and use our own experiences and knowledge in faculty councils. For equality, finding working solutions, and making decisions, it is important that we have a diverse group advocating in different faculties. In the end we are all current or former students in this science community and not at all alone as students. When acting as a halloped essential is continuous learning as well as effective cooperation between different stakeholders, as well as our own. Even though we are all our own.
Read more about being a student representative on Student Representatives search 2026 page.
Pauliina Vainionpää, SOC