Benefits

Formal benefits

Peer Network training

Training day 1: Communication and leadership

Participating in the first training day offers a chance to increase your employability by enhancing your communication and leadership skills. You'll discover how to successfully approach people you’ve never met, while learning how to observe and be tactful of other people’s cultural practices.  This training day also offers an excellent opportunity to meet with many of the other prospective Peer Networkers through a day of activities and fun.

Training day 2: Team building and Orientation preparation

Many students will approach you with questions during Orientation, so the second training day provides you with all of the dates and information you’ll need to answer them. Past Peer Networkers will also be present to answer any queries about their previous experiences you may have. You’ll also go on a campus tour, as well as find out what it means to be a Peer Networker during Orientation. 

Certificates and recommendations

Vice-Chancellor's recommendation

The Vice-Chancellor acknowledges the contribution of each Peer Networker with a personalised recommendation.If you complete two or more Orientations, you will receive your recommendation at the Peer Network Acknowledgment Ceremony.

Employer Statement from the Student Experience Team

The Student Experience team provides an Employer Statement for each Peer Networker. It gives an idea of what tasks a Peer Networker completes during Orientation, as well as the skills required. You’ll receive this with your Vice-Chancellor reference at the Acknowledgment Ceremony.

Student Experience referee                   

Once you have completed the program, the Peer Network Coordinator will be happy to act as a referee for you should you need one when it's time to start the job hunt.

Training certificates

Your Training Day 1 certificate will acknowledge the communication and leadership training you'll have participated in prior to your first Orientation as a Peer Networker. Should you participate in other Peer Network seminars, you'll also receive a certificate of attendance for each one.

Peer Network events

Orientation Welcome Ceremony

Our Orientation Welcome Ceremony offers a great opportunity to get to know your fellow Peer Networkers prior to Orientation. 

Thank You Event

After completing Orientation, the Thank You event is our way of saying a big and heartfelt ‘thank you’to all of the Peer Networkers who participated. We understand that volunteering one or two weeks of your holidays is a considerable sacrifice, so we organise this event for you to reconnect with all your new friends during the session.

Peer Network Acknowledgement Ceremony

What Peer Networkers do at the university is very special, and UTS recognises this. At the end of the year the Vice-Chancellor hosts the Peer Network Acknowledgment Ceremony. It's an evening of celebration to thank Peer Networkers for all of their volunteering efforts, and to provide them with their official documents.

Other benefits

Paid employment and other volunteering opportunities

As a Peer Networker, you will be on the Peer Networking mailing list and Teams Channel that advertises various (potentially paid) opportunities around UTS, often before these roles are offered elsewhere. The type of work offered can vary from admin work, to working on a video shoot, to computer programming.

Peer Networkers are also given the opportunity to volunteer for Peer Network Cafe. 

Informal benefits

Networking

Network with staff and students

You'll have plenty of opportunities to form new and rewarding relationships with both students and UTS staff members during your time as a Peer Networker. Not only does this benefit your professional network, but also gives you the chance to form long-lasting friendships!

Interpersonal skills and confidence

Communicating confidently with strangers is never an easy task. Thankfully, as a Peer Networker you will receive training in communication and leadership, whilst accumulating first-had experience interacting with a wide range of students and members of the public – strengthening your interpersonal communication skills and confidence in the process.

Cross-cultural competence

While assisting with Orientation, you will have the opportunity to meet and form lasting connections with many of the new international students starting at UTS. These connections and the ability to communicate effectively with people from around the world is highly beneficial for your future career.

Cross-faculty social network

The Peer Network team is one of the few at UTS not determined by faculty, so you will have the opportunity to meet and communicate with students from across a wide range of faculties. These relationships can give you great insight into the opportunities each field has to offer, as well as enhance your ability to work successfully in a diverse group of people.

Other benefits

Free Merchandise

All Peer Networkers wear bright orange t-shirts so they’re easily identifiable and students can find them in a crowd. You’ll find that wearing our famous orange t-shirts will increase your confidence and put you in a leadership position as new students will look to you for advice. We also have a range of other merchandise to give out throughout Orientation!