What Makes Spark: Reflections from our members

Published

September 8, 2024

Author

Paolo VelascoDutch HansenalexElvira Lu

About

Insights from current members about their Spark adventures, learnings, and advice.

Tag

Individual Reflection

At the heart of Spark are its people. Their collective tenacity, creativity, and unapologetic passion come together to form the foundation of our organization. Hear directly from three of our exceptional members as they share their Spark experiences.

1. "What inspired you to apply to Spark?"

Dutch: Growing up, I was involved in the Memphis skateboarding community. Around the time I started high school, a few friends started working on skate-adjacent video projects, and I was fortunate to lend help on a few occasions. I found these shared creative endeavors surprisingly fulfilling — we all grew as creators in the process. Learning about spark, I saw an opportunity to do something similar but to also stretch my understanding of creative empowerment.

Alex: A little unorthodox, but I was told by my robotics mentor in High School to apply to Spark as it had changed the trajectory of his daughter’s college experience and career. I never had any experience with business or entrepreneurship before coming here, and somehow I made it (but that was 3 years ago haha).

Elvira: When i first arrived at USC, i was desperately looking for a purpose: a group of people to invest in or a place that would allow me to make impact. My first semester, I gave time and energy to organizations and projects that left me feeling empty. I met Eric Cruz at the involvement fair, standing in the scalding California sun. Sweat dripping down both of our faces, he told me about the organization that he loved. Whatever led him to stand there for hours in the heat, that was the passion I knew i was looking for.

2. "How has being part of this organization impacted your university experience?"

Dutch: Spark has been the most important part of my life at USC. I haven’t met any pure math majors in the org, but I don’t think that’s a bad thing by any means. Conversations with people in philosophy, art, and economics have helped me find love for my studies more than any other experience I’ve had on campus.

Alex: This has been the only community that I’ve stayed with since my freshman year, and I’ve joined many many clubs on campus. Honestly, this is probably something anyone can say, but in my experience, Spark has given me a multitude of opportunities to fail and fail fast. I’ve been able to experiment with committees, create some of the most intricate spreadsheets you’ve ever seen, and even lead the entire organization. The potential you have being in a space like this is truly unmatched and any interest you have, there is a place for it and you inside Spark.

Elvira: The moment I got my acceptance email, I thought “Oh, this is going to be my life.” Just by being in Spark, I went from completely inexperienced, to deeply entrenched in the entrepreneurship space at USC. Professionally, Spark has opened doors to avenues I never thought possible for me, such as my internship, which I acquired through leading the startup career fair. We talk endlessly about our community because it is truly something special— a collection of diverse experiences, united by a desire to inspire others. I’ve formed deep friendships, learned from kind mentors. Spark has given me so much— personally and professionally— which is why I am always willing to give back.

3. "What’s your favorite memory or event since joining?"

Dutch: My favorite memory is from the fall of 2023, running Project Launch with Christina Vo and a few other spark members. We were holding a design session one morning, and had to carry a bunch of workshop supplies across campus in some extremely heavy rain. None of us hesitated to breach the storm, though; we put on our raincoats, stepped outside, and got moving. I remember feeling pretty fortunate to have collaborators who cared so deeply about our work.

Alex: Probably having 30+ people sleep over in my house for 3 days in the Bay Area for our annual/semi annual Bay Trip. Some of the most fun and ludicrous stuff went down…

Elvira: My sparklet semester, I rode back and forth on Bay Trip in a car of 4 graduating seniors. They’d known each other for four years, and I was a freshman. I never felt left out. We talked about everything- from spark history, to our thoughts on Montessori education, to fruit stands and our opinions on SF.  In the 16 cumulative hours of driving, I never once questioned my belonging in this club, in this car, and in this moment in my life.

4. "What surprised you the most after joining?"

Dutch: Spark people care very much about your personal growth, not just professional. It’s something I wasn’t anticipating, but also something I’ve found most special about my time here.

Alex: The care, dedication, and passion everyone has for the org and the mission. No one is getting paid to do this (honestly some people are losing money) but they are still here, making sure that students on campus and off have the opportunity to interact with entrepreneurship and that the org will never die.

Elvira: It really shocked me how much faith the organization places on new or inexperienced members. Anytime I had an idea, I was encouraged and immediately given the space to take agency on whatever I wanted to do. We inspire in ourselves what we hope to inspire in others, that you can truly do whatever you put your mind to.

5. "How has this organization helped you develop skills or grow as a person?"

Dutch: Before joining Spark, I felt very little confidence in my curiosities. In classrooms and social settings too, I worried that my questions were “dumb,” or fundamentally not that interesting. Spark is fortunate to have members from a wide range of disciplines, and these people all want to hear what you have to say and what you want to learn. These people help you to see that your creative voice matters, and teach you to help others in the same way.

Alex: Like I’ve mentioned, I’ve had the opportunity to work on so many different initiatives, roles, and also softwares that as a machinist in a robotics team, I really didn’t have the opportunity to interact with before entering USC. I’ve also grown so much as a person. I am not the timid bay area kid anymore, I am someone who knows myself, knows what I want, and doesn't regret the choices I’ve made.

Elvira: A big misconception about Spark is that since we spend a lot of time fostering entrepreneurship in others, we aren’t doing it ourselves. In reality, Spark helped me break into the entrepreneurship community (a seemingly exclusive network), develop professional relationships outside of USC, and learn about how to develop the A-players around me. You can learn about business principles anywhere, but true connection and friendship is rare.

6. "What would you say to someone who’s on the fence about joining?"

Dutch: Read a little more of our website! I wasn’t totally sold on Spark until I read a few blog posts, and it can be nice to hear a personal account of what we do.

Alex: Just do it! Even if you don’t think you’ll be able to make it in, use this opportunity as practice for future interviews as the same points and principles that we are looking for within our process are very similar to how companies recruit. And who knows, you might even see a giraffe 👀

Elvira: Get yourself off the fence and in front of your laptop! Spark is for people who are giving, humble, and hungry. If this sounds right — if our words resonate with you — you should apply.

7. "What are you most excited about for the upcoming semester?"

Dutch: I’m excited to help out with some of spark’s newer committees! I stepped away from leading last semester, and it has been nice to learn from all of the newer members.

Alex: You! Like I’m not kidding. Every semester we get a new group of Sparklets to come into our organization and give it so much life. And at the same time, everyone I’ve had the privilege and opportunity to interact with and get to know are just so cool!

Elvira: Spark is in a really exciting phase. We are experiencing rapid growth and record levels of engagement this year. I feel an incredible amount of pride and trust in all our leads this semester. There’s no telling what the next big committee is, or where the next great idea will come from. It’s special.