Student assistants as agents of change Competencies and proposals from labor and pre-professional practice

Abstract

This article analyzes the role of student assistants as agents of change in educational and work contexts, highlighting their capacity to influence institutional and social transformation through collaborative practices. The article aims to analyze the experiences of student assistants in their work placements, demonstrating their potential as agents of change who contribute to improving educational quality, institutional innovation, and collective well-being. Based on concrete experiences in these placements, proposals that strengthen students' holistic development are examined, enhancing leadership skills, social responsibility, and ethical commitment. The importance of the active participation of student assistants in building inclusive, resilient, and sustainable environments that promote pedagogical innovation and university-society engagement is emphasized. The results show that the participation of student assistants significantly contributes to the development of transversal skills, such as effective communication, conflict resolution, and collaborative project management. Positive impacts have been identified in the consolidation of student leadership practices, the promotion of values ​​of solidarity and equity, and the generation of innovative proposals that strengthen institutional quality. Likewise, it is evident that these experiences foster social cohesion and the building of more inclusive academic communities, while enhancing universities' capacity to respond to contemporary challenges.