Public Speaking Society: Events Officer

As an expert Werewolf player I've observed that the loudest player rarely survives the night. The players who last are the ones who read the room, build trust, and know when to guide the conversation rather than dominate it. 

Public speaking events aren’t that different, good events depend on timing, judgement, and a sense for what the room actually needs.

Experience leading partnerships at London’s largest student consulting society meant spending a lot of time building relationships with firms and professionals. Those relationships don’t disappear either, they travel. So yes, the client list will be coming with me 😉

But good events are more than securing speakers. They rely on consistent organisation, smooth logistics, and someone who can adapt when plans inevitably shift. Working closely with the rest of the committee to coordinate themes and ideas will be just as important.

The goal is simple: keep people coming back every week leveraging external speakers, the annual competition, and selecting judges all to create opportunities to bring new people in while keeping events fresh enough that regulars stay engaged.

And if diplomacy is required to manage speakers, judges, and the occasional strong personality  well, it’s probably reassuring that the role is simply passing from one International Relations student to another.

Organising events is something I’ve greatly enjoyed in previous roles. In high school I was Head of Events for the Entrepreneurship Society, where I organised speaker sessions & our flagship competition - one of the biggest of its kind in Pakistan. I’m also currently part of the operations team for the London Startup Fair, which has given me further experience in coordinating logistics & working behind the scenes to make sure events run smoothly.

But beyond my experience, the reason I’m applying is because this society genuinely stood out to me. At the start of the term I attended around 6 different society intro sessions; debate, consulting etc, but this one felt immediately different. Competing as a finalist in the inter-university competition, I really saw the unique approach of Public speaking societies - the creativity it allows for, as well the confidence, exposure & communication skills it helps develop. University is already stressful & I’m not interested in societies that will feel like a burden. What I love most about this society is that it’s productive but very welcoming at the same time. The interactive workshops & group activities push me in the best way possible - even when I’m nervous before speaking or participating, it’s the good kind that motivates you to improve.

Upon speaking with committee members, I’m also drawn to the society’s collaborative approach. I’d be excited to not only organise events but to help support workshops, fellow speakers & more.

From my first week, I was captivated by the confidence and projection of a key speaker at the UCL Welcome Talk, one I’d come to find to be the President of PubSoc. It was a speech that stuck in my mind, all the way till I was sitting there, in my first session. Two years later, and I have a lot to thank the society for! I'd be hard-pressed to call myself a good speaker in those beginnings, but every session challenged me, and most importantly, encouraged me to grow, and with all I’ve gained, it only feels right to give back.

Having held a committee position for a year, I've gained knowledge in not only how sessions operate + the historical spread of activities, but also insight into the structure and flow of the committee team. I have a variety of experience, from helping organise events, to various team managment positions in my own Dept. of CS, as well as planning events specifically in PubSoc such as the Postgrad Supercharger. Even as a returning committee, I believe there’s still plenty new I could bring ,such as adding variety in our current event offerings. (Think presentation nights and improv!) There’s plenty on the table, and much more I’d surely ideate with fellow committee.

I wish the society my bestest of luck, and hope to be a keen member in its progression, however it’s done!

(And to Timothy, thanks for that initial speech that led me here in the first place :] )