Student Council President - 42 Seoul

Leading the student body and fostering community at one of the world's most innovative programming schools.

About 42 Seoul

42 Seoul is part of the global 42 Network, a revolutionary peer-to-peer learning institution that challenges traditional education models. With no teachers, no tuition, and a project-based curriculum, 42 empowers students to learn through collaboration and self-directed study.

Role Overview

As Student Council President from 2021 to 2022, I represented over 500 students and worked to enhance the educational experience, build community, and bridge communication between students and administration.

Key Initiatives

Community Building

• Organized regular student meetups and networking events
• Created mentorship programs connecting experienced students with newcomers
• Developed peer support systems for academic and personal challenges
• Fostered an inclusive and collaborative learning environment

Educational Enhancement

• Coordinated study groups and knowledge-sharing sessions
• Organized technical workshops and guest speaker events
• Created resources to help students navigate the curriculum
• Gathered feedback to improve learning experiences

Student Advocacy

• Represented student interests in meetings with administration
• Addressed concerns about facilities, resources, and policies
• Worked to improve communication channels between students and staff
• Advocated for enhanced learning resources and infrastructure

Event Management

• Planned and executed hackathons and coding competitions
• Organized social events to strengthen community bonds
• Coordinated with industry partners for career opportunities
• Managed council budget and resource allocation

Achievements

Community Impact

• Increased student engagement by 40% through regular events
• Established lasting mentorship connections benefiting 100+ students
• Created sustainable programs continuing beyond my tenure
• Built strong relationships with industry partners

Leadership Recognition

• Successfully mediated student-administration discussions
• Implemented feedback systems improving campus operations
• Received positive feedback from both students and staff
• Set precedents for future student council operations

Skill Development

• Enhanced communication and public speaking abilities
• Developed project management and organizational skills
• Strengthened conflict resolution and negotiation capabilities
• Improved budget management and resource allocation skills

Challenges & Solutions

Challenge: Low Initial Engagement

Solution: Created diverse event formats appealing to different student interests, from technical workshops to casual social gatherings.

Challenge: Communication Gaps

Solution: Established regular office hours, online channels, and feedback mechanisms ensuring all voices were heard.

Challenge: Resource Constraints

Solution: Partnered with industry sponsors and optimized budget allocation to maximize impact of available resources.

Challenge: Diverse Student Needs

Solution: Formed committees focusing on specific areas (academic, social, technical) to address varied concerns effectively.

Skills Developed

Leadership & Management

• Strategic planning and execution
• Team building and delegation
• Stakeholder management
• Crisis management

Communication

• Public speaking and presentations
• Written communication and documentation
• Cross-cultural communication
• Conflict resolution

Organization & Planning

• Event management
• Budget planning and control
• Resource allocation
• Timeline management

Technical Community Leadership

• Understanding developer community needs
• Organizing technical events
• Facilitating peer learning
• Building technical networks

Long-term Impact

The programs and initiatives established during my tenure:

• Continue to benefit new cohorts of students
• Serve as templates for other 42 campuses
• Created lasting connections in the tech community
• Enhanced 42 Seoul's reputation and culture

Reflection

This experience fundamentally shaped my understanding of:

• The power of peer-to-peer learning and collaboration
• How to build and lead diverse technical communities
• The importance of clear communication in leadership
• Balancing multiple stakeholder interests
• Creating sustainable systems and processes

These lessons directly apply to my current work in DevOps, where cross-functional collaboration, clear communication, and building effective teams are essential to success.