Formal Benefits
The Peer Network offers a number of benefits to members:
Peer Network Official Events
Training Day 1 - Communication & Leadership Training
Communication and Leadership are the two most important skills in today's workplace. By participating in Training Day 1 you will enhance your skills in communication and leadership and you will increase your employability. You'll learn how to approach people you've never met, and become more aware of how to observe and be tactful of other people's cultural practices. You'll meet many of the other prospective Peer Networkers over a day of activities and lots of fun! Morning tea, lunch, and afternoon snacks are provided at both training days along with loads of lollies: all you need to bring is yourself (and possibly a toothbrush)!
Training Day 2
It's almost time for Orientation! You're going to be asked a lot of questions! What are the best answers? Training Day 2 will prepare you for Orientation, you'll receive all the dates and information you need to answer questions and get to see everyone you met at the first training day again! You'll also meet old Peer Networkers today and be able to ask them questions about being a Peer Networker. You'll go on a campus tour and learn some of the secret paths at UTS! Be prepared for a very full day where you'll learn lots! But don't worry, we'll keep your energy levels high with lots of lollies and lunch and tea and coffee!
Oldies Newies Event
The Oldies/Newies event only started in 2003! Once Orientation gets going with over one hundred active Peer Networkers you'll start wondering if you've ever seen half of them before! So to let you get to know both new and old Peer Networkers we have an event just before Orientation kicks off so Oldies and Newies can get to know each other with a few games and some dinner. Some Peer Networkers finish by having a night out in the city.
Thank You event
The Thank You event is our way of saying a big THANK YOU to all the Peer Networkers who participated in Orientation. We know that volunteering one or two weeks of your holiday is a wonderful thing to do, so in the first couple of weeks when semester is back in (and before assignment stress starts) the Peer Network Thank You takes place. In the past there have been summer harbour cruises, ice skating, and a Time Zone Lock Down! Watch out for the raffle prize at the Thank You event, one lucky PN will win something nice (in the past there have been discmans, whale watching trips, ticketek vouchers etc)
Trips & Adventures during Orientation and the start of the semester.
Some Peer Networkers are able to accompany new students on the Trips & Adventures program. This can be a great opportunity to use your leadership skills in order to coordinate a great day out! Peer Networkers go for free, but places are limited. You will receive more information about this at Training. Over the years Peer Networkers have gone to Taronga Zoo, Sailing at Double Bay, Climbing in the Blue Mountains, Dolphin watching at Port Stephens and more!
Dates for February Orientation
Dates for July Orientation
Acknowledgment Ceremony with the Registrar
What Peer Networkers do at the university is very special, and the University recognises this. When you have completed two or more Orientations you are eligible for a reference from the Vice Chancellor, and an employment statement from the Student Services Unit. At the end of the year the Registrar hosts an acknowledgment ceremony to thank Peer Networkers, especially those that are graduating. Drinks and light cocktail food are served and it's another chance for Peer Networkers to mingle with one another and catch up.
Dates for PN Acknowledgment Ceremony
Peer Network Seminars
Different seminars are held through the year for Peer Networkers to participate in. Some examples from previous semesters are Time Management (very useful during semester!), the Myer-Briggs Personality Test, First Aid, Project Management and others. Places are limited, so do book in quickly when they become available.
Dates for Peer Network Seminars
<Certificates and references
Vice Chancellor's Reference
The Vice Chancellor acknowledges the contribution of each and every Peer Networker with a personalised reference. Your two or more Orientations will be mentioned, as will any extra work you have done for the Peer Network (more information will be explained at Training). You will receive your reference at the Peer Network Acknowledgment Ceremony.
Dates for Peer Network Acknowledgment Ceremony
SSU Referee
One of the Peer Network Coordinators will be happy to act as a referee for you should you need one when it comes time to hunt for jobs... which as uni students you no doubt will eventually have to do!
Employer statement from SSU
Student Services provides an employment statement for each Peer Networker. These give an idea of what a Peer Networker has to do when they participate in Orientation, and what skills are needed and utilised. You will receive your Employer Statement with your Vice-Chancellor reference.
Dates for PN Acknowledgment Ceremony
Training Certificates
Your training certificate will acknowledge the two days of Leadership & Communication training you have participated in prior to your first Orientation as a Peer Networker.
Seminars
After each seminar you will receive a certificate of attendance and attainment. See Peer Network organised/official events and Peer Network Seminars
Networking benefits
Socialising with staff and students
You'll have lots of opportunities to relax and just chat to students and staff, and when you go back to uni during semester you'll find you have to stop every five minutes to say hello to somebody you know!
Interpersonal Skills and Confidence
If you've ever wondered how to approach people and talk to them out of the blue then your Training in Communication and Leadership will sort that out. See Communication and Leadership
International connection
All Peer Networkers will meet new international students at ISOP. A number of international students participate in the Peer Network. Students from all over the world attend UTS, so if you plan on going on exchange or doing International Studies Peer Networking can really help! You can ask students about their native countries, and speak with them in their native language.
Dates for February Orientation
Dates for July Orientation
Cross faculty social network
Many students at UTS never meet anyone outside of their faculty, because there's so little chance to do so! The Peer Network is made up of people from every single faculty at UTS and you'll find you have a lot more in common than you think! Read some testimonials.
Other Benefits
Free T-shirt
By now you may have noticed something similar about each Peer Networker…a bright orange T-shirt! Every Peer Networker wears this so they can find each other in a crowd, and so that students know who they can ask for help. Wait until you see a swarm of orange t-shirts walking down to yum-cha in Market City, you'll want one too.
QUOTE: "I think that helps as well, you can spot them...you might be complete strangers, but you see the orange shirt in the distance, and you're like "just go there maybe they know!"..."
Paid Employment Offers
As a Peer Networker you'll be first to be contacted for many 'potential' paid work opportunities at UTS. This can vary from admin work, to working on a video shoot, or computer programming...there's something for every skill!
