Note: The following texts are based on interviews with the candidates and have been summarized for readability. The level of detail varies depending on how much each candidate chose to elaborate. Every candidate was contacted for an interview and allowed us to publish their corresponding text. 

Joleen Li

Why are you running for BC President?

“I am applying to be BC President partly because of my experience with the Business Committee, but also because I truly believe I can contribute. I want the Business Committee to be for all students interested in business of any kind, not just finance and consultancy, and to be open to everyone, both master’s and bachelor’s students, regardless of background. We should provide all types of help and support, for example guidance in navigating the job market. I know that can be really difficult, and I believe I can help take the BC to the next level.”

What would your year as BC President look like?

“First of all, it would be a very fun year. A year where the door to the Business Committee is always open to everyone. I also want us to have more international relations with partners and other universities. Another thing is a more developed support function, for example through Interview Prep and Résumé Help, and I think the more industries we learn about through these improved relations, the more our ability to help students will grow. Lastly, I want more internal gatherings in the BC, and hopefully we’ll beat some records, of course.”

What previous experience in and outside of SASSE would help you in this role?

“I have three main SASSE experiences. First of all, I was project leader for London Banking Week. There, I introduced a new dinner event and also oversaw doubled revenue. I have also been involved in Women’s Finance Day. It was great to make everyone feel involved in finance, and this year we had two days instead of one, so we connected with a lot more companies with a broader scope than just finance. Finally, I worked with the Assembly of International Affairs. There, we did a lot of visits to embassies, which I believe will help me with international business.

Outside of SASSE, I had an internship in London last summer, so I know the difficulties of the job market. The BC should encourage trying different fields, because you never know what you want to do before you try it. The Business Committee has given me a lot, and I want to give back to that community.”

Yeva Hovsepyan

Why are you running for BC President?

“I’ve been on the Business Committee Board for a year – I’ve been the one sending out all the emails to members – and this year I want to be engaged on a larger scale and contribute to the committee. I think it is a role where you can really develop, not only career-wise but also as a person. It’s somewhere where you can really make a change on a higher level.”

What would your year as BC President look like?

“The Business Committee has historically been a place with a lot of focus on finance and IB, and I know first-year students see that and feel a lot of stress and pressure. I want the Business Committee to be something that doesn’t give you more stress, but quite the opposite. My main focus would be making it a place where students, especially first-years, can come and figure out what they want to do in life. Whether that’s expanding industry exposure, like marketing and entrepreneurship opportunities, or if they just want to come to us for counselling.”

What previous experience in and outside of SASSE would help you in this role?

“The most obvious one is that I have been Head of Communications on the Business Committee board for a year. I really know what happens behind the scenes. I know how to manage the trips and what to take into consideration. I have really seen how important it is to be a good intermediary between companies, representatives from the school, and students. It’s not just about satisfying one party, but making sure everyone is satisfied.”

Why are you running for BC President?

“As cliché as it sounds, since everyone says the same thing, SASSE and the Business Committee have given me so much, and I want to give back in some way. And if I were to give 150 % and an entire year to a role, I would want to do it where I know I could make a change as an individual. The Business Committee is in a position where the entire organisation is dependent on it. I think that is a unique and appealing role. I know that if I put everything into this position, I could change SASSE.”

 What would your year as BC President look like?
“If we move away from operational things and election promises, there are two general themes.

First is strengthening the committee internally. I have talked to people from, for example, the ES or SSIF who don’t really feel like a part of the Business Committee but just feel like a project. I want to improve the internal cohesion by having more joint events. We have one next week, which is a good start.

“Secondly, I want more clarity. A main purpose for the BC is collaborating with other parts of SASSE, and that requires more open communication. This means being clear on timelines for approvals and, as President, communicating:  ‘I promised this. This is where I am currently at with that.’.”

What previous experience in and outside of SASSE would help you in this role?

“Within SASSE, I have been a HD host, a Head Parent, a Class Rep, Head of Bachelor Programs on the UU Board, SSIF Analyst and Investment Committee member and TEDx project leader.

Outside, I had the opportunity to run two non-profits in high school. The first one was with a friend, where we ran the largest newspaper covering economics and entrepreneurship for youth. We also ran investment competitions in segregated areas, and were funded by firms like Nordic Capital. I was also CEO and founder of another non-profit which also had competitions. It was the largest of its kind in Northern Europe, with 30 000 attendees from four countries, and I led a team of 13 people. In my gap year, I worked in finance, sales and marketing in Australia and Singapore, and during my time at SSE I have worked in Equity Research and founded a company with my friends.

My point in bringing all of this up is that I believe it is what gives me a key advantage in the role. SASSE depends on the Business Committee working well with others to find the best solutions. Understanding what everyone’s goals are and what needs to be done is therefore crucial, and this experience gives me a sense of what compromises and decisions need to be made to maximize benefit.”