Last year, I applied to the Summer Accelerator on a whim. I had an idea for a business that I loved – one that would combine my course and my passion. Now, thanks to the help I was given during the programme, I run that business alongside my studies. It’s small, but I’m so proud of it. So I want to tell you about the Summer Accelerator, what I learned there, and why you should consider applying.
What is the Summer Accelerator?
The obvious place to start is explaining the Summer Accelerator itself.
Run by the Careers and Placements team, the programme is all about student business. Through an eight-week summer course, it gives us tools, training and space to start something new. If things go well, you come away with a business – something you take forward, and keep earning from, throughout your studies. When I took part, we were given not just resources and funding, but a place to work, business theory lectures and dedicated one-on-one mentorship.
The application process
My journey with the Summer Accelerator began with an email. All the best opportunities at university do, I’ve found. I applied to it entirely on a whim, assuming that I’d never hear back. But all it took to apply was filling out a quick form, so I figured there was no harm in it.
The application included questions about both us and our business ideas. Mine was focused on tabletop game design, so I wrote about that. I shared my love for and experience with roleplaying games, and the community I had found around them. As I’m also really interested in the games industry, I spoke about recent developments there as well. I focused on how those changes made me a good investment for the university. It seemed to work.
The programme
The Summer Accelerator began for me with a lecture. The talks covered a lot of new and interesting topics, things like business structure and advertising methods. A lot of it, I imagine, was similar to what you might learn studying Business. I learnt a lot, with my mentor’s help.
She and I had a lot in common, and she taught me a lot through that. We had a similar course background – Mathematics and Computer Science – and a shared passion for games. She even had connections in exactly the same role I was taking. Beyond introducing me to those, we focused on consistency. We wanted me to be able to carry my business forward, even when swamped with work.
While some of what she taught me didn’t suit my work style, a lot are things I still use every day.
Other than my mentorship, most of my time was occupied with independent work. Between business plans and assignments from my mentor, and my own product development tasks, I spent a lot of time working that summer. Probably about as much as your average full-time job. I did most of that work in the PhaseOne workspace on campus, a dedicated work area opened to us for the summer. Having somewhere dedicated to work, particularly somewhere designed for it, was a productivity blessing.
Before I knew it, though, the eight weeks of the programme were over. The graduation event had passed. It was time for me to carry on with my business without assistance. And with that, we come upon the last thing I want to tell you about: the benefits of this programme.
The rewards
Many of those are ones I’ve already mentioned: access to the workspace, lectures from experts, and time with my mentor. Others, like the £2000 living expense allowance, I’ve only referenced. It was so helpful, as a student and entrepreneur, to ignore concerns of money during the programme. Not only did the funds pay my expenses, but they also let me fund my business. That support was invaluable.
Finally, there are the less obvious benefits.
For those wondering, my business has continued to grow. The progress is slow, but steady. Thanks to the Summer Accelerator, I should be able to continue throughout my studies and hopefully beyond.
Beyond my business, though, I learnt a lot that is more broadly applicable. Not only about my specific interests, but about business in general. And more general skills – time management, communication and catering to my strengths. Wherever I end up working, and whatever I end up doing, these will be useful. I can include them in job applications, or apply them to any project I might come across.
For a short programme, with an even shorter application, the Summer Accelerator has already proven its worth to me a thousand times over.
Interested in how you can develop your career plans? Read more careers and placement blogs.
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