Will being president of a political party campus society look bad?

If it wasn't clear I'll be going into second year

It might depend on whether it's a "political party" they believe is going to materially damage their reputation being associated with e.g. BNP or something...

I don't really see that it's expected a politics student will be necessarily engaged in the practical matters of politics; I imagine at least some may merely be interested in it from an academic perspective.

I'm the president of a political party's campus society. Will adding this onto my CV for finance roles look bad? I've got a lot of good experience to write about from my time as society president like forming relationships with MPs and organising events for 30+ students but I've heard that many ib/am/pe etc. don't want you to have a political leaning. However, as a Politics student surely they have assumed that I have political opinions given the reason why I'm studying politics.

I'll also be applying to internships and placements at these firms later this year.

Thank you

You'll be fine as long as its not Maxists/Leninists/Nazi type of thing. Otherwise good thing to be pres, congratz.

Thanks. None like those and even if I was some Marxist, ib would be the last job I would want to pursue. ahaha

Thanks. None like those and even if I was some Marxist, ib would be the last job I would want to pursue. ahaha

The general convention is not to mention politics in a job application. However, as a student/career starter, it may provide evidence you can't afford to exclude. Generally though, I advise not the mention the name of the party if possible eg

2019-20 President, Mainstream Student Political Society, University of Wherever


You could drop the word Mainstream, or you could say Parliamentary - your choice.

Of course, if you can be certain the employer has a positive view of the party, then mention it as often as you can!