ExtendED Learning: Lightning Hack and more opportunities

Throughout Term 3, our ExtendED Learning programme is offering one-off workshops and conferences, as well as in-depth consultancy challenges and innovation labs - there's loads to choose from. Activities are split into four different themes: Innovate and Create, Connect with Communities, Debate the Future and Supercharge Your Career.

The Supercharge Your Career theme is designed to develop hands-on skills to apply to your career planning and preparation, while building your networks and professional confidence.   

Lightning Hack - what students thought

We asked students who took part in the first event (Lightning Hack) to describe their experience. This is what they told us:

• “Great initiative, would love to attend more.”
• “A very, very well organised event! It was such a blast participating.”
• “So meaningful working with a charitable organisation. It makes all the difference, having them in the room!”
• “Welcoming and engaging - a great event.”
• “Inspirational people and a fantastic event.”
• “It was so fun!”

On 30 April, the Lightning Hack brought together 18 students to solve a challenge that a real charity is facing. After a welcoming registration process, we started the session personalising name badges and meeting each other. The event was geared towards giving energy for what promised to be a fast-paced activity.

Students were divided into three teams sitting at tables full of sticky notes, colourful pens, sketch paper and Hack Packs. After a quick introduction, a huge timer was displayed on the screen and we got going. Each group had 90 minutes to get to know each other, think about the problem and come up with some solutions, knowing it was a real problem that a small local charity was experiencing and someone from the charity was even in the room. Caroline’s insights brought all of our thinking alive, and it was so inspiring to hear her speak and share her expertise.

The Lightning Hack helped to show the kind of experiences that will show up in graduate recruitment processes - how to handle meeting new people, quickly forming working relationships with strangers, processing new information, pitching ideas and being part of an urgent conversation focused on solution-generation. Having 90 minutes count down in front of you really focuses the mind and decision-making!

Interested in our upcoming events?

Getting involved in one or more of the ExtendED Learning events is easy and they’re open to all taught students. Visit the ExtendED Learning page on the UCL website to find more details and book. Spaces for these opportunities are limited, so sign up as soon as possible.