Leadership is more than just enthusiasm—it’s a skill that requires preparation.
Yet, the AMS’s “no experience necessary” policy suggests otherwise, advertising inclusivity and accessibility to all students. While this policy is admirable—aiming to break down barriers to involvement—it inadvertently sets up both the student body and its representatives for failure.
The AMS manages 11 student services, oversees over 300 clubs, represents over 20,000 undergraduate students, and handles a $20 million budget. Running an organization of this scale isn’t something one can navigate on enthusiasm alone, nor is it something that can be learned overnight.
Decision-making, conflict resolution, budgeting, project management, and most importantly, institutional knowledge, are skills that take time to develop.
When individuals without foundational experience are thrust into these roles, the learning curve becomes overwhelming. Tasks that would be manageable with a basic understanding become monumental challenges for the less experienced, leaving individuals burnt out by the end of their term. This situation reaps consequences like high employment turnover with replacements coming in with four months left—a six-hour Special General Assembly resulting in clubs not being ratified, and a likely perpetuation of the same cycle for their successors.
The impact of inexperience can be equally damaging to the student body. Students—the few who are engaged with student government—expect their representatives to effectively manage services and advocate for their needs.
Instead of fulfilling these responsibilities, inexperienced leaders often spend their short tenures figuring out the basics of governance, financial management, and the ins and outs of their role. This leaves little time for implementing meaningful changes. Worse, the institutional knowledge gained during their terms is often lost upon their departure, forcing the next cohort to start from scratch.
The AMS’s hiring policy doesn’t do anyone any favours. Listed directly on their website, the policy specifies when two or more applicants are equally qualified, the position will go to the candidate with less direct AMS work experience. Though the intention is to ensure accessibility, this approach actively discourages the cultivation of institutional knowledge.
As someone who holds a leadership role in the AMS, I get it. When I became Editor in Chief of The Journal, I regretted not getting involved with the paper earlier—not only because I love the job and the people, but also because both I, and most importantly the paper, would’ve benefited greatly from an additional year of experience.
The AMS needs to make a change.
Rather than emphasizing “no experience necessary” across the board, they should promote a tiered system of involvement, encouraging students to engage early and grow into leadership roles.
Service staff and deputies should be promoted specifically to lower-year students as opportunities to build foundational skills. Senior roles should emphasize the value of experience, and prioritize candidates who have demonstrated leadership within the AMS or similar organizations.
As an organization “by students, for students,” the success of the AMS ultimately depends on the competency and preparedness of its student leaders. While permanent staff can provide guidance, they cannot replace the vision, decision-making, and initiative required from elected and appointed student leaders.
It takes a certain amount of confidence, and ego, for someone to throw their hat into the ring and run or apply for an AMS position, especially without prior experience. By allowing a pathway to gradually build that confidence through meaningful experience, the AMS can develop leaders who aren’t only ambitious, but also prepared.
Inclusivity is a vital goal, but well-intentioned goals alone cannot drive effective governance. The student body deserves leaders who are prepared to take on the challenges of their roles, and student leaders deserve the tools and opportunities to build their skills before they’re thrown into the deep end.
Allie is a fourth-year Political Studies student and one of The Journal’s Editors in Chief.
Tags
AMS, experience, Leadership, student government
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