At eighteen, Taryn Webb was staring down her first year of university, wondering what lay ahead. She had never travelled outside of Australia, had only volunteered as a high school prefect and did not know what life post-high school had in store.
Fast forward to the end of the first year of her Bachelor of Construction Management degree, and the story is very different. Taryn has stepped beyond her degree and into the community with the SOUL Award program, an extracurricular social justice leadership program that has opened up a world of experiences.
To date, Taryn has supported a Mother's Day fundraising event for Cancer Council, promoted women in STEM as a gender equity ambassador on campus and took her first overseas trip to Ireland as the Australian representative for the 25th anniversary youth symposium.
Taryn Webb with fellow attendees at the Youth Symposium Ireland 2023
Taryn admits starting at university was overwhelming, but joining the SOUL program helped provide real-world opportunities outside of the classroom, "I wanted to help in some way and gain a few transferable skills. By volunteering for causes you are passionate about, you can gain so much insightful knowledge that can only be taught by these experiences."
In Ireland, Taryn had the chance to develop her leadership and communication skills through workshops and discussions on models of conflict, peacebuilding and intercultural learning. Along with thirteen other young people worldwide, Taryn put these skills into practice by collaboratively writing a peace pledge that reflected the students' international and local contexts.
This is what I needed outside high school and the HSC. These experiences have helped shape my understanding of what I want to gain from this university experience.
Taryn's advice to students starting at university is simple, "Get used to being uncomfortable. Life is a journey we embark on full of adventure, and the only thing we can be sure of in this fast-paced future is lifelong learning."
For any first-year student or any university student, there is so much to gain from SOUL. The type of experience you gain depends on what you want. I have found that I have created a university experience that is so unique, diverse, and fulfilling. It is something I will cherish and want to continue with in the future.
With a wealth of volunteer roles and experiences under her belt, Taryn’s future is looking bright.
Interested in leveling up your university experience? Sign up for the SOUL Award program.