Hacker Exchange are an organisation aimed at connecting the next generation of entrepreneurs with the opportunities, passion, networks and resources to help inspire and kick start their careers. This summer, Hacker organised and ran the ‘Great Global Challenge’ inviting students from the University of Southampton, the University of California San Diego, the Australian National University and Monash University to take part in a virtual hackathon.
- 6 days
- 10 different time zones
- 85 students
- 1 goal
Students were split up into small international teams and were set the objective of creating a solution to a problem that had been caused by COVID-19. The task was aimed at helping society or a business bounce back after the impact of the pandemic. Hacker provided students with the opportunity to learn from a wide variety of industry experts, taking part in both seminars and workshops, all intending to help with the creation of a start-up business idea and build up future employability skills.
“What I enjoyed most about these panels and tutorials was how interactive and inclusive they were; I wasn’t just a person in the audience but they encouraged us to ask questions, asked for our opinions and experiences while also providing insight from experts.” – Livonne Pan, BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics, University of Southampton.
Students were given 5 days to: come up with a business idea, complete market research, create a product, and record a pitch. With such tight deadlines and the difficulties that arise with working across different time zones, students learned quickly to adapt to the fast-paced nature of the challenge. The communication and time-management skills that were developed within their teams will only continue to benefit them throughout their careers.
Wonderfully, Southampton students were members of 3 of the top 5 teams chosen by Hacker for their innovative ideas. International Legal Studies student Abigail Carro’s team were selected for their app ‘Walk with U’ that was designed to benefit the homeless community in the height of the pandemic, allowing individuals to seek out available resources, testing spots and shelters.
“It was a great experience and has helped me to prove my ability to deliver a project in remote working environment, and coordinate with team members across different countries and time zones. It was an unforgettable programme” – Abigail Carro, International Legal Studies, University of Southampton.
History student Holly Mepham’s team were also selected for their pitch on an app that would allow parents and teachers to communicate all on one platform. With particular thought placed on breaking down communication barriers between immigrant families and schools, with an option to toggle the app to be in their preferred language.
“The international collaboration that this experience allows for was an amazing and valuable opportunity […] The support and guidance gained from these sessions was essential in our idea’s development and is something we will continue to value in the future” – Holly Mepham, BA History, University of Southampton
It is clear from our student’s experiences working with Hacker, that COVID-19 does not have to prevent students from taking part in new opportunities and gaining international experience. These experiences can still be achieved in a virtual environment, allowing students to learn valuable employability skills and gain experience of working with people from all different cultures. We hope to continue bringing these opportunities to students in the future!
