Become a Student Content Shaper

Our Student Content Shapers (SCS) are a group of creative students who we hire to make authentic content about life at the University of Birmingham. Through TikTok trends, YouTube vlogsday in the life Reels and the hottest blogs, our Content Shapers bring you relatable, informative, funny and inspirational content to help you through your uni years. 

Whether you’re an undergraduate, commuter student, postgraduate, international student, distance learner or mature student, we want to see student life through your eyes. You might showcase the jam-packed schedule of activities during Welcome, share your student hacks, blog about your self-care tips, or even interview fellow students about their favourite study playlists. As a Content Shaper you'll have the opportunity to cover a range of topics and themes.

Learn more about becoming a Student Content Shaper to help our student community navigate life at UoB.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Student Content Shapers Izzy, Mimi, Katrina, and Srushti

Is this a paid role?

As a Student Content Shaper, you’ll be paid for each piece of content you create and submit or task that you participate in (for example, taking part in a photo-shoot). You'll be paid on an hourly basis which is currently £12 per hour with £2.18 holiday entitlement. So, for example, if a Reel takes you three hours to create and edit, you'll be paid for those three hours. 

Your role will be employed through the University’s casual recruitment agency Worklink. This means that you can earn some extra cash during your studies but with some flexibility to fit around your studies. 

Although this a flexible role, all Student Content Shapers will be required to create a minimum of two pieces of content per assignment (more below). 

What skills do I need?

We're looking to recruit enthusiastic students who are comfortable in front of a camera, familiar with social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, and have the initiative to create helpful, engaging, and fun content with us. 

You'll also need to have:

  • a genuine interest in content creation
  • a positive attitude and approach to the role and working with others
  • knowledge of emerging social media trends
  • good time management.

Video editing experience is ideal but not essential. You'll receive regular support from the Student Communications Team as well as other Student Content Shapers. Training will also be available throughout the year but there are lots of great resources and tutorials online which we recommend you look at in your leisure. 

What type of content can I create?

As current students, you have the best insight into student life, and we encourage you to bring your own ideas to the table. These can be short-form videos (such as Reels and TikToks), longer-form videos (YouTube) and written blogs. 

Some of our favourite topics and themes include:

  • Day in the Life content
  • Your favourite places on campus or in Birmingham
  • Come with me... videos
  • Tutorials and How Tos

Alongside your ideas, we share content suggestions through 'briefs'. 

Our briefs are a detailed document of what we're looking for in terms of content, for what platform and how many hours it may take you. You can then express your interest in taking one of those briefs to create. 

student content shaper pic 4

As Content Shapers, we'll mainly communicate and share briefs with you through Microsoft Teams. You'll also be added into a closed WhatsApp group with other Student Content Shapers to share ideas, discuss briefs or support each other with content creation. 

Although our students prefer using their camera phones for recording videos, we have a range of equipment that you can borrow to support with content creation. For example, wireless microphones, tripods, selfie sticks and ring lights. 

Is this a permanent role?

As this is a casual role through Worklink, there are restrictions in place to ensure your studies come first. 

Once you're recruited, you'll be contracted to work for 13 weeks - your hiring manager will give you your start and finish dates for your assignment. 

During these 13 weeks, you're expected to contribute a minimum of 2 pieces of content and be active in responding to communications through Teams, emails and WhatsApp.

After your 13 weeks, you'll then have to take a mandatory 6 week break due to your contract requirements with Worklink before you can resume the same role. 

Don't worry, the Student Communications Team will communicate with you regularly to ensure your sticking to your contract requirements, so you can keep making fantastic content for UoB.

Sounds good, how can I apply?

Although we currently have a group of Student Content Shapers, we're always looking for more creative students from all backgrounds, programmes, and levels of study to apply, so you can help us place the student voice at the heart of communications at UoB. 

Applications for the role of Student Content Shaper will open on Friday 20 September and close on Sunday 29 September. You will need to apply through the Worklink vacancies page. Visit the Student Shapers and Worklink stalls during UoB's Welcome Fair between 20-21 September to find out more about the role.

Following a short interview, hired students will also need to be available to attend an onboarding and training session (TBC - October 2024). 

What's it like being a Student Content Shaper?

 Hear from some of our Student Content Shapers

scs sharon and fatima

“I have been a Student Content Shaper since the start of the scheme and it has been really interesting to see what goes on behind the scenes with student comms at the university. I like being creative in this role as my course doesn't always allow it, and it has given me a great insight into communications making me look into it more as a career for the future.” – Mimi Curtis, BA Modern Languages  
"I wanted to become a Student Content Shaper because I'd really like to represent international and postgraduate students' experience as well serve as a source of helpful information with the content I create." –Sharon Boaduwaa Boadu, MSc Development Policy and Politics
 
“Being a Student Content Shaper has been the highlight of my first year at University! I've loved being able to connect with students across the scheme, and it has massively built my confidence when it comes to creating content. This role has also provided me with great work experience and I feel excited to see where it can take me throughout the rest of my time here at UoB.” – Ellen Campbell, BA English Literature and Digital Media and Communications
 

 

Colleges

Professional Services