Pronouns: She/Her

Introduction

Hi! Im Mitalee, a final year Politics and International Relations student.

Im an international student, so building communities in new spaces is really important to me as someone who has gained a sense of belonging through engaging with groups of people both on and off campus.  I also love to cook and watch beautiful sunsets :)

What are your three priorities for the year?

1. Safer travel for students 

• Lobby with local government to advocate for better bike infrastructure to create safer routes. Particularly in high construction zones like union street. 

2. Integrated career network 

• A mentorship program led by students with work experience, creating a pipeline of skills information from those who have come before them. 
• Better user interface on the opportunities page on My Career Hub. More filtering options specific to job role or visa type which makes the job hunt less stressful and more inclusive. 
• A feedback loop system about receiving advice from drop-ins with the careers service to prevent generic advice. 

3. Improving student housing challenges 

• A verified, safe portal where students can offer their storage space when moving out, providing cheaper, community-based alternatives to storage lockers 
• Protect student tenants by lobbying with landlords and the city council.

What unique skill/knowledge can you bring to the role to stand out from the other candidates? 

I bring my lived experience of building a community at university, having moved to a different country where I knew no one.

As a volunteer pickleball coach at community centres around Aberdeen, I am familiar with the procedures and support systems required to involve people in activities that contribute to better wellbeing.

Lastly, as a student representative I actively advocate for the concerns of the student body, bridging communication that gets student voices heard.

What do you think is the biggest issue that students are facing at the moment and how do you plan to tackle it? 

Employment prospects after you graduate are a major cause for anxiety for all students right now. In an evolving and increasingly competitive job market, students are unsure how to get relevant experience, and how to navigate the challenges such as AI disruption or visa processes. 

I propose a student-led career network that informs students on what skills they should target, building confidence early on into their time at university. I believe our strongest approach to tackling the unemployment crisis is to utilise the Aberdeen community to gain transparent insights on application processes and required skills.

In support of this, I would work to improve existing resources provided on the career hub to making job hunt concerns easier and more accessible. This includes wider filters that makes opportunities easier to navigate, particularly for international students and those with accessibility needs. I would also introduce a feedback forum that allows the careers service to provide tailored and actionable support.

With these practical tools in place, I believe uncertainty can be greatly reduced, making students feel more confident about their futures.