While all jobs of the MSA Board of Directors are important, the job of both the Stoney Creek and IAHS Directors are crucial in order to ensure student voices are being heard from all campuses. Currently, Mital Pandya is the Director of the Stoney Creek campus and Samira Malik is the Director of the IAHS campus.

Both of their jobs require them to represent the views of the students at their respective campus along with a few other tasks.

Exact job descriptions can be found here.

The MSA recently spoke with Mital (over the phone) and Samira (via email) about their jobs to give students an inside scoop on what they do on a daily basis. When each question was asked, they often had similar answers.

How do you personally work to achieve the requirements of your job on a day-to-day basis?

M: “[I] always make a plan and always have some goals [for the day].”

S: “It is very important to prioritize tasks throughout the week. As things can get hectic in between classes and other external priorities, it is even more important to keep things organized. In to achieve the requirements of my role, I try to keep in touch with MSA staff at the Fennell campus. It is also important to keep a healthy relationship with members of the College in order to advocate for students at IAHS.”

Samira Malik is the current MSA Director, IAHS.

Do you find it difficult to manage the job along with school?

M: “Yes, sometimes it is very difficult because you [sometimes] need to work in the office when you have midterms.”

Mital Pandya is the current MSA Director, Stoney Creek.

S: “It was a tough adjustment period when I first started working in this role. I found that over time and with experience, I was able to manage working at the MSA without it affecting my grades.”

What does a typical shift look like for you at the MSA?

When this question was asked, Mital noted that although she does not usually have a typical shift she does always ensure that her work schedule for the day is very organized.

However, when Samira was asked this question her answer was slightly different.

“Typically, I start my day off by catching up on e-mails,” Samira told the MSA. “My day also consists of preparing agenda items for Student Representative Committee meetings. I also look for key issues on campus and see how I can advocate for the Health Sciences students at the IAHS campus. My office hours can also consist of meetings with various members of the College.”

The Stoney Creek and IAHS Directors make up two out of the five positions students can run for during the 2020 MSA Board of Directors elections.

Click here for more information, including the job description and requirements, if you’re interested in running for the either the Stoney Creek or the IAHS Director.

Note: the nomination period ends on Jan. 31, 2020.

Written by: Paige Petrovsky

Student Copywriter

Some comments have been edited for clarity.