UCL Geography student Isobel took part in UCL’s SPERO programme for doctoral students, run by UCL Innovation & Enterprise.

While still refining the direction of her PhD project in summer 2020, Isobel heard about SPERO. It’s a multi-stage training course, aimed at doctoral students from any discipline, to support them in developing their entrepreneurial knowledge, skills and mindset. No prior business experience is needed. 

Following the completion of SPERO 1, Isobel decided to apply for an internship with the Greater London Authority. The internship is helping to promote the Mayor’s Entrepreneur Competition to London students, lecturers and other university staff. Isobel was successful with her application and started the role as a Mayor’s Entrepreneur Intern in January 2021.

“With my academic interest in cities, and the competition ultimately being about making London a better place to live and work, it felt quite appropriate. Also because of SPERO, I already had valuable background knowledge about entrepreneurship and that understanding put me in a good position,” she said.

The experience of both SPERO 1 and the Mayor’s Entrepreneur Internship has prompted Isobel to begin thinking up ideas for new ventures of her own.

“I could see myself perhaps offering consultancy in social research or market research. I love bouncing ideas off people and helping to make a product better.”
Isobel now plans to take part in the next stage of training for UCL doctoral students, SPERO 2, to turn her ideas into reality.

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Article photo by Alejandro Salinas Lopez © UCL