My Volunteer Experience - Neil Anubhav Dattagupta
Welcome Neil!
Neil Anubhav Dattagupta joined our SAcommunity Data Analytics Team as a volunteer, whilst he undertakes his Masters of Data Science at Adelaide University, starting with the team on the 2 August 2023.
He attends for ~4 hours a week onsite at the Connecting Up Office around his classes, and is currently looking at our Python coding with our Data Analytics Lead Stathis Avramis.
Personal Biography
Image: GovHack Connections Event 9 August 2023
SAcommunity Data Analytics Team Volunteers: Stathis Avramis (Team Lead), Neil Anubhav Dattagupta, Govinda Gurung and Navadani Thennakoon
Personal Biography
Anubhav is in his first year of a Master of Data Science at the University of Adelaide, where he works as a teaching assistant for students studying the MATLAB/C programming course in the Bachelor of Computer Science. He has a Bachelor in Computer Engineering from Savitribai Phule Pune University and previously worked as a Programmer Analyst at Cognizant Pvt. Ltd in India developing software in C# and maintaining databases. Anubhav also works casually for Student Care’s Breakfast Club at Adelaide University, in a program providing free food assistance for students.
He is passionate about data science, joining Connecting Up as a volunteer to apply his skills to real-world projects of value to the local community. He aims to use the tasks and professional development opportunities available to gain further experience in data analytics, data visualisation, and python scripting, as part of the Data Analytics Team. Meanwhile expanding his networks across the SAcommunity volunteer program, engaging with the wider Infoxchange organisation, community stakeholders and partners.
Anubhav plans to pursue a career path in the Informatics and Data Analytics industry. Blending the activities of informatics involving information, processes, computer systems and technology, with the analysis of data and investigation of a range of data formats and files (audio, image etc.) to look for trends and patterns. His aim is to contribute by helping to investigate and present big data in a useful, understandable and accessible way for everyone, without them necessarily requiring an IT background.
Image: Kane demonstrating hist Kangaroo Island Council Reports using visualisation tools in Power BI including ArcGIS. Pictured: Volunteer Stathis Avramis, Intern Kane Hengchuan Zhao, with Volunteers Neil Anubhav Dattagupta, David Webb and Chris Baldwin
Anubhav plans to pursue a career path in the Informatics and Data Analytics industry. Blending the activities of informatics involving information, processes, computer systems and technology, with the analysis of data and investigation of a range of data formats and files (audio, image etc.) to look for trends and patterns. His aim is to contribute by helping to investigate and present big data in a useful, understandable and accessible way for everyone, without them necessarily requiring an IT background.
Image: Kane demonstrating hist Kangaroo Island Council Reports using visualisation tools in Power BI including ArcGIS. Pictured: Volunteer Stathis Avramis, Intern Kane Hengchuan Zhao, with Volunteers Neil Anubhav Dattagupta, David Webb and Chris Baldwin
Community Services in Councils Project
Anubhav has been working in the Data Analytics Team to create data analytics reports on community services operating is SA councils and in particular for the Mitcham Council a dataset of approximately 556 listings. Neil's data analytics reports can be found here: City of Mitcham.
Image: GovHack Connections Event 9 August 2023
SAcommunity Data Analytics Team Volunteers: Stathis Avramis (Team Lead), Neil Anubhav Dattagupta, Govinda Gurung and Navadani Thennakoon
Building Connections and Networks
SAcommunity Team members are encouraged to build new connections and create networks through participating in SAcommunity and Connecting Up partner and stakeholder activities, events and meetings as they arise to understand more about the wider organisation's projects, the work they are involved in, and how our activities impact and are impacted by other not-for-profit organisations.
The SAcommunity Team has attended and supported GovHack for several years providing open data set for competitors, data mentors and promotion of the event. The annual open data hackathon was held this year on the 18 - 20 August 2023 across Australia and New Zealand and Team members attended the pre-competition 'Connections event'.
Image: Volunteer Neil Anubhav Dattagupta with Pankaj Chhalotre, Head of Connecting Up
Mentor Meeting
Image: Volunteer Neil Anubhav Dattagupta with Pankaj Chhalotre, Head of Connecting Up
Mentor Meeting
Connecting Up Volunteers are provided with the opportunity to select staff members from across the wider organisation for an informational mentor meeting. In this meeting they have the opportunity to prepare and ask 5 career and professional development questions to understand more about their mentor's job role and employment journey, and their own. Volunteers then record 5 takeaways, those aspects they felt were helpful for them to share on their portfolio for themselves, and other volunteers to learn from. Neil shared his experience in meeting Pankaj Chhalotre, Head of Connecting Up below.
Connecting Up and its evolution:
Pankaj's journey, starting from his internship at Connecting Up to leading the program, painted a fascinating picture of the organization's growth. It resonated deeply as I envision a similar trajectory in leveraging data-driven insights to tackle challenges and empower communities. Understanding Connecting Up's evolving roles and responsibilities provided valuable context for the potential impact I could make in similar organizations.
Pankaj's journey, starting from his internship at Connecting Up to leading the program, painted a fascinating picture of the organization's growth. It resonated deeply as I envision a similar trajectory in leveraging data-driven insights to tackle challenges and empower communities. Understanding Connecting Up's evolving roles and responsibilities provided valuable context for the potential impact I could make in similar organizations.
Leadership roles and responsibilities:
Witnessing Pankaj's diverse tasks within program management offered a practical perspective on leadership in this field. Seeing his ability to strategize, manage teams, and drive meaningful outcomes solidified my interest in pursuing a data-driven leadership path. His insights into fostering team collaboration and navigating complex projects were particularly valuable, equipping me to better contribute to data-focused teams in the future.
Witnessing Pankaj's diverse tasks within program management offered a practical perspective on leadership in this field. Seeing his ability to strategize, manage teams, and drive meaningful outcomes solidified my interest in pursuing a data-driven leadership path. His insights into fostering team collaboration and navigating complex projects were particularly valuable, equipping me to better contribute to data-focused teams in the future.
Standing out in the job market:
Pankaj's personalized advice on differentiating myself in the data analytics/machine learning space was incredibly helpful. Based on his guidance I'm currently exploring integrating data analysis projects in my field of interest, participating in relevant online communities and discussions. This active approach, combined with highlighting my transferable skills in problem-solving, communication, and critical thinking, will help me stand out among job seekers.
Pankaj's personalized advice on differentiating myself in the data analytics/machine learning space was incredibly helpful. Based on his guidance I'm currently exploring integrating data analysis projects in my field of interest, participating in relevant online communities and discussions. This active approach, combined with highlighting my transferable skills in problem-solving, communication, and critical thinking, will help me stand out among job seekers.
Lifelong learning in a dynamic field:
Staying updated in the ever-evolving tech landscape is crucial. Pankaj's recommendations for resources like online courses on specific machine learning algorithms, industry publications like Analytics Magazine, online blogging sites like Medium resonated deeply. I'm committed to continuous learning through these resources and others, ensuring I possess the latest knowledge and skills to excel in the data analytics/machine learning field.
Job hunting with a master's degree.
Pankaj's advice on navigating the job market as a recent graduate resonated deeply. I'm now focusing on specific actions based on his guidance like networking with professionals, and connecting to prospective employers on LinkedIn.
Summary
Staying updated in the ever-evolving tech landscape is crucial. Pankaj's recommendations for resources like online courses on specific machine learning algorithms, industry publications like Analytics Magazine, online blogging sites like Medium resonated deeply. I'm committed to continuous learning through these resources and others, ensuring I possess the latest knowledge and skills to excel in the data analytics/machine learning field.
Job hunting with a master's degree.
Pankaj's advice on navigating the job market as a recent graduate resonated deeply. I'm now focusing on specific actions based on his guidance like networking with professionals, and connecting to prospective employers on LinkedIn.
Summary
I'm genuinely appreciative of Pankaj's time, insightful guidance, and willingness to share his experience. His mentorship has empowered me to approach my career development with clarity and confidence.
Image: Frank Xiufeng Shi and Neil Anubhav Dattagupta working on SAcommunity Data Analytics
Training and Development - Digital Learning Platform
Training and Development - Digital Learning Platform
Neil has had the opportunity to understand more about data analytics in the not-for-profit sector, and was provided with access to the Connecting Up Digital Learning platform, a training and development online learning platform with a selection of relevant live webinars and recorded webinars, workshops and webcons from a range of subject-matter experts who also have a deep experience with not-for-profits.
Professional Development at Infoxchange is a balance of approximately 70% project / 20% peer-to-peer learning / 10% formal learning. For the SAcommunity Team there is approximately 15 hours of project work, 3 hours of peer-to-peer learning, and 1 hour of online webinar with 30 minutes of feedback, to reflect and strengthen team members understanding of what was learnt and what their personal takeaways were from these educational sessions facilitating life-long learning.
Relevant webinars, workshops and webcons selected by Neil have included:
Leveraging Microsoft's generative AI tools
I had this opportunity to be a part of the Microsoft webinar on Leveraging Microsoft's generative AI tools on held 1 November 2023. I found this webinar to be a great introduction to the suite of offerings microsoft has for generative AI and this would be extremely useful for introducing NFP organizations to powers of generative AI. As a student currently studying in this field I am aware of employing caution while using these models and not blindly trusting their output. One great takeaway from this webinar was the LinkTree provided at the end which has all the free to use links for various generative AI platforms offered by Microsoft.
Leveraging Microsoft's generative AI tools
I had this opportunity to be a part of the Microsoft webinar on Leveraging Microsoft's generative AI tools on held 1 November 2023. I found this webinar to be a great introduction to the suite of offerings microsoft has for generative AI and this would be extremely useful for introducing NFP organizations to powers of generative AI. As a student currently studying in this field I am aware of employing caution while using these models and not blindly trusting their output. One great takeaway from this webinar was the LinkTree provided at the end which has all the free to use links for various generative AI platforms offered by Microsoft.
