Name: Hieke Bruinsma

Committee: Öresund Linking Minds

How long have you had your position? Eight Months

Why did you choose to become a collegial? Because I wanted to challenge myself in a new way by leading a committee!

What has been your best experience as a collegial? All the amazing people I met through the collegium and of course the fall kick-off

What surprised you the most about working as a collegial? That you have the opportunity to express concerns to/discuss issues with other project leaders. I think this provides really valuable information that can guide you as a new project leader.

What did you not enjoy? Nothing that I can think of

What have you learned? Amongst others: event planning, keeping track of the budget, coordinating activities within the committee and with outside parties.

What was the greatest challenge? Definitely coordination, as there are a lot of parties involved in the event which made it difficult at some times.

What do you want to say to those thinking of applying for a collegial position? DO IT! You can learn a lot and have fun at the same time.

Name: Moa Bengtsson Fröberg

Committee: Sexmästeriet

How long have you had your position? Five Months

Why did you choose to become a collegial? Mostly because I wanted to be a part of Sexet, and this position was the one I felt would suit me best. The perks of being collegial, or the differences between collegials and active members, wasn’t something I had in mind very much when applying.

What has been your best experience as a collegial? I always enjoy the collegial meetings we have, especially the first one I attended where we did a workshop about sittings and us in Sexet together with Social were in charge of setting up the workshop and leading the discussions. It was both interesting and educational. And of course also when UE came to visit! We had so much fun and got a new perspective and new ideas which was great!

What surprised you the most about working as a collegial? I didn’t know much before about what it meant to be a collegial and I’m surprised by all the fun stuff we get to do, it’s not all about having more responsibilities or spending more time working with the board, it’s also about meeting so many new people and doing fun stuff together (such as Uggleorden, Kick-off, Workshops etc)

What did you not enjoy? I don’t think that there’s anything I haven’t enjoyed about being a collegial member.

What have you learned? I’ve learned a lot about LundaEkonomerna, about the other committees and actually about my self.

What was the greatest challenge? At the moment I really don’t know, I haven’t felt like the “collegial-part” of my position has been that challenging. The challenge for me has been within my committee and owning up to my position as vice project leader.

What do you want to say to those thinking of applying for a collegial position? DO IT! There hasn’t been a second when I’ve regretted that I applied for this position. There is nothing about being a collegial that isn’t fun and educational. You gain so many friends, so much insight and knowledge and also experience. It is like being a VIP active member who gets those extra perks. 

Name: Matilda Haglund

Committe: Marketing Group

How long have you had your position? Three Months

Why did you choose to become a collegial? My friend told me that I was a good fit for the position. I would say I kind of took it as a “let see how far I come” and when I became collegial I fell in love with being it.

What has been your best experience as a collegial? Meeting all the new people and having to face new challenges. During my first months as collegial I’ve been handling problems I’ve never have handled before.

What surprised you the most about working as a collegial? That it was so easy to be welcomed into the collegium. All the other collegials are so nice and open and you really feel welcome!

What did you not enjoy? The long time waiting to see if I had gotten elected in FUM.

What have you learned? I’ve learned a lot about being a project leader but I’ve also learned about a side of myself I didn’t know existed.

What was the greatest challenge? To find a good way to communicate with my fellow project leader. Being a project leader alone can be challenging but having a fellow project leader to compromise with is a process that has taught me a lot!

What do you want to say to those thinking of applying for a collegial position? Do it. You don’t have anything to loose if you apply. If you get the role you will have so much fun and you won’t regret it!

Name: Friederike Hillenbrand

Committee: Corporate Challenge

How long have you had your position? Approximately six months

Why did you choose to become a collegial? When looking for what positions would fit me within the union , i found that the position of a project leader asks for characteristics/ personality traits that fit me and that I could identify myself. Also, you can have an impact as a collegial (bridge between active members and board, collegial meetings and so on).

What has been your best experience as a collegial? Seeing that you can actually do something with your work and not just follow a protocol or “orders”.

What surprised you the most about working as a collegial? How much your voice is actually heard!

What did you not enjoy? Nothing!

What have you learned? How to take charge and responsibility and use that to drive your work on-and forward.

What was the greatest challenge? Stepping up and actually do things. Because as a project leader you are head of a committee so no “superior project leader” you can turn to. Everyone isn’t he committee turns to you with questions, problems, struggles and so on. You can carry it onto someone else. You have to deal with it and figure it out (of course with assistance and help of the board). This has been the greatest challenge but also the greatest “blessing” because it taught me a lot (both for personal development and also for group development and how to work with it).

What do you want to say to those thinking of applying for a collegial position? It is not that big of a deal going up at FUM, really. I was a novice, international and didn’t speak a word Swedish and was more than fine! Plus it is so worth it compared to what you get in return.

Name: Samuel Arnald

Committee: Sales Team

How long have you had your position?: 5 months as a Project Leader, and before that, equally as long as a Vice.

Why did you choose to become a collegial? I was excited about the challenge of leading a group, forming a structure for the committee to work after, and work with people “hands on” that I had not previously done.

What has been your best experience as a collegial? The Gräddgasque in Uppsala and Uggleordern! Besides that, on a personal level, it is without a doubt my personal development in terms of leadership skills!

What surprised you the most about working as a collegial? How humble and “normal” all collegials were. You walk in expecting most of them to be “superhumans”, but everyone is super open and easy to talk to!

What did you not enjoy? Nothing in particular, perhaps the more administrative tasks within the committee!

What have you learned? So much! I will walk away from my position feeling like I have the leadership tools required for the future! Being in charge of a group and public speaking doesn’t feel as challenging as it did before I joined the collegium.

What was the greatest challenge? To reach the results you set up together with the committee.

What do you want to say to those thinking of applying for a collegial position? My best choice in Lund was to become a collegial, APPLY!