Economics and Finance Society: Welfare Officer

UCL can be a pressure cooker. Between the cut-throat nature of internship applications and the constant "LinkedIn-glare" of others' successes, it’s easy to feel like you’re only as valuable as your next offer from a top-tier firm. I’m standing for Welfare Officer because I’ve seen too many of us sacrifice our mental health for a CV, feeling like we’re the only ones struggling to keep up.

Last year, I hit a wall. I was balancing a heavy workload with the relentless cycle of HireVues and technical prep, and I felt like admitting I was burnt out was a sign of weakness in such a competitive field. It wasn’t. But it took me a long time to realize that most of us are feeling the exact same "imposter syndrome" behind the polished professional personas. I realized that while our society is incredible for career placement, we’ve neglected the "human" cost of the grind.

This gap is where I want to step in.  I want to build a tangible support network that acknowledges our specific industry pressures. Whether it’s the high-stakes anxiety of a final-round interview or the isolation of the library during a 16-hour day, nobody should feel like they’re navigating it alone. My focus will be on creating regular ‘Off-the-Clock’ socials—spaces where the only requirement is to leave the "finance talk" at the door.

I want to change the narrative from "surviving" the recruitment cycle to actually supporting each other through it. My goal is to build a community where we truly look out for each other.

I am Elze, a Management Science student, and I am standing for Welfare Officer because I care about creating a mental, physical and social wellbeing where society’s members feel comfortable, included, and able to make the most of their university experience. I truly believe that it is important for members to feel supported.

Through my role as Course Representative for Management Science, I gained experience listening to students’ concerns, communicating feedback, and representing the interests of my peers. This role helped me understand how important it is for students to feel heard and supported.

In addition, I have developed strong organisational skills through my experience as a Marketing Executive at EFS and through coordinating events as a competitive dancer. As a World Vice-Champion and an 11-time National Champion, I have spent many years in a competitive environment, which has taught me the importance of encouragement, resilience, and strong community support. I understand that there are times when people may feel unmotivated or unheard while striving to achieve their goals, which is why creating a supportive and understanding environment is so important. 

As Welfare Officer, I would focus on helping create a supportive atmosphere within the Society, ensuring members feel comfortable reaching out and making the most of the opportunities the Economics and Finance Society provides. I am approachable, organised and genuinely committed to supporting and helping others.

Hello EFS members,

I’m Tristan Wong, a second-year Economics student running to be your Welfare Officer.

As the current Vice President of Business at EFS and Secretary of the UCL Museum Society, I’ve organised events across both career-focused and hobby-based societies, bringing together students across a wide range of disciplines. Within EFS, I’ve helped organise events such as the McKinsey Analyst-led Case Study Walkthrough and hosting the UK Investment Competition at UCL, where ensuring students felt comfortable participating, asking questions, and engaging with speakers was just as important as the technical content itself.

For many students, EFS is their first introduction to finance and networking, which can feel intimidating at first. That’s why welfare is so important: creating an environment where people feel welcomed, confident attending events, to allow students to build meaningful connections.

Having worked closely with the current committee, my priorities going forward:

Community – Organise more varied and frequent socials (finance pub quizzes, golf socials, hikes) to help members build friendships beyond formal networking events.

Connection – Encourage post-event socials and smaller group meetups after speaker events so members can connect with each other and committee members.

Inclusivity – Ensure members feel comfortable attending talks and socials by fostering an open and supportive environment where students feel confident asking questions and meeting new people.