Transform Your Summer Experience with Spark

LSE Summer School is not just about studying. Instead, it offers so much more, including immersive extracurricular activities that can develop personal and professional skills. Introducing the Spark programme: a series of professional development focused event, ranging from dynamic workshops to engaging lectures. These activities covered topics such as job searching, personal wellbeing, and academic skills. In my blog, I will cover the things I learned through Spark and why it is helpful for you!

Spark activities offer a wide variety of academic workshops that have helped me learn how to write and how to utilise AI. For example, the Write Essays that LSE Markers Want to Read event was an interactive lecture that taught me how to write in an evaluative and engaging manner. The lecture featured interactive quizzes, worksheets, and productive discussion sessions with my peers. Whether you are being reminded of key writing techniques or learning new ways to approach essay writing, there is always something productive to take away from the lecture. I also attended an AI workshop, where we were asked to pitch a new entrepreneurial idea, and tasked with using AI to test our ideas. I collaborated with my peers, using different AI software to test how we would enforce our entrepreneurial pitch. This expanded my knowledge of which AI software is most useful for specific tasks. I remember talking to peers from other courses and making friends with students whom I never would have met had it not been for Spark.

Dealing with procrastination and study stress can be challenging, but some Spark events specialise in helping students improve their personal skills and handling adversities. Personally, I struggle with procrastination and was eager to participate in the workshop that focused on this, to find solutions. When I arrived, the group began sharing their unique experiences with procrastination, creating a supportive environment. We were surveyed on how effective each procrastination technique is in our personal lives, and offered solutions to different issues that contribute to our procrastination. Time flew by as I was engaged in participating in questions and assessing each procrastination technique. Overall, the workshop provided a meaningful space for students to explore practical solutions and learn methods to manage their procrastination and study stress.

I was really drawn to the Spark events that focused on expanding our careers with CV and internship insights. One session that stood out to me was on Your CV and Cover Letter: Maximising Effectivness. The CV lecture emphasised the importance of distinguishing ourselves and tailoring our applications for the jobs we were applying for, rather than bulk applying. The lecturer interacted with the audience to understand key concerns in the job application process, and tailored the event to focus on these. Students also had the opportunity to ask their own questions at the end. Thanks to this Spark event, I learned how to structure my CV effectively and tailor it to future employers.

Another Spark event I found useful was Turning an Internship into a Permanent Job. This was a very interactive lecture, featuring a 'raising hand' activity to assess our level of experience with internships. My friend and I were actively taking notes, especially about understanding workplace culture and performing well at work while under pressure. Overall, these Spark sessions have provided me with valuable career insights and motivated me to continue developing skills for my future career.

Regardless of which Spark event you join, there is always something you are going to take away, whether it's educational, personal, or career-oriented. For me, Spark made it easy to meet people, as I was engaged in active workshops where I had to collaborate with my peers. In between classes, it was a breath of fresh air to go to a Spark event where I could change my focus from LSE education to activities that improve my professional skills. Spark is also beneficial since you can gain a digital accreditation, based on your attendance, that shows your commitment to your professional development, which you can include on your CV. I always left Spark events with new skills, an expanded network, and more confidence. This makes it an experience you won’t want to miss if you are serious about enhancing your future!

This blog was written by one of our 2025 Student Ambassadors, who are here to share their stories and help you understand the summer school experience at LSE.