The Sprint programme is back this July!

The Sprint Development Programme for women undergraduates and graduates, sponsored by Royal Bank of Scotland, Microsoft and Enterprise Rent-A-Car, is back!

So what is Sprint?
We all know that students have a tough challenge balancing their academic studies along with trying to attend as many events as possible but Sprint, a bespoke programme designed by the Springboard Consultancy in partnership with Oxford University & Cambridge University to support the professional development of female undergraduate and graduates, offers something very unique.

Building on the success of the Springboard programme for experienced women at work, Sprint was developed & delivered to address real issues faced by most undergraduate & graduate women. Research carried out by Oxford University indicated female undergraduates and graduates tended to possess strong negative perceptions of careers within industries such as Financial Services, Engineering and Technology, as well as a lack of confidence, assertiveness and access to relevant role models which often led to them deselecting themselves from such industries.

Originally pioneered at the University of Cambridge and more recently at the University of Oxford, the 2013 summer programme was held at City University for their students, but was also piloted to UCL students studying in the Department of Management Science & Innovation to great success & is now returning to City University in July 2014 – it’s open to students across all courses at UCL, City and Kingston Universities.

What will I experience on the programme?
The programme is very intensive & geared towards building female undergraduate & graduate confidence and giving students access to strong peer & professional networks. Students will be put through their paces with lots of practical exercises designed to improve self awareness and esteem, taught how to identify & use personal power, use assertiveness positively, build their own image, confidence & networking skills and engage with inspiring industry role models.

It’s a great opportunity for female students to experience some very bespoke development, get access to employer mentors and to an ongoing network of graduate and employer peers, which they will be able to utilise both during university and afterwards throughout their career – all for free!

Student participants from UCL’s Department of Management Science & Innovation who took part in last summer’s programme threw themselves into what proved to be an incredibly intense but ultimately rewarding four days, experienced increased confidence both personally and professionally, got ongoing access to an employer mentor, and the opportunity to be part of the selective but growing Sprint community!

When is it?
Co-sponsored by The Royal Bank of Scotland, Microsoft and Enterprise Rent-A-Car, the Sprint Programme will be held on 29^th, 30^th, 31^st July and 1^st September 2014.

Those shortlisted must be able to attend all four dates!

How to apply?
Applicants will need register through their My Careers Service account AND submit a CV and a 300 word letter explaining why you, as a female undergraduate or graduate student, deserve a place on the Sprint Development Programme.  Any questions to Weronika Benning w.benning@ucl.ac.uk or Charlotte Turnbull c.turnbull@ucl.ac.uk.

Deadline for applications is 6^th July 2014 but early application advised!

Applicants will be shortlisted according to how well they evidence having thought about their future career and demonstrating effectively why they wish to participate in the course, and how it will meet their development needs.

This event is aimed at women but open to students from all years at UCL.

View further details on the programme and book now through your  My Careers Service account (search for Sprint in the events calendar).