My Volunteer Experience - Frank Xiufeng Shi

Xiufeng Shi (Frank) embarks on his academic and professional journey with a robust background in Information Technology, currently enriching his knowledge base by pursuing a Master's degree in Data Science at the University of Adelaide. His current role as a System Analyst at the Mental Health Foundation Australia exemplifies his commitment to applying data-driven solutions to societal challenges, particularly in the realm of mental health. Xiufeng's proficiency with analytical tools such as Python, Excel, and RStudio, coupled with his involvement in various data science projects, underscores his passion for the field and his eagerness to leverage data for impactful insights.

 

In his quest for practical experience and a deeper engagement with Australia's profiessional environment, Xiufeng has aligned his aspirations with Connecting Up through an volunteering role. This opportunity resonates with his ambition to enhance his data analysis toolkit and immerse himself in work that not only advances his career but also contributes to the community. At Connecting Up, Xiufeng seeks to apply his skills in real-world scenarios, thereby bridging the gap between academic knowledge and practical application. His engagement with this organization is a strategic step towards achieving his professional goals, allowing him to expand his network and gain invaluable project experience in a supportive and dynamic setting.

 

Looking towards the future, Xiufeng is open to exploring a wide array of opportunities that allow him to apply and expand his expertise not only in data analysis and machine learning but also in fields like cybersecurity, IT support, and business analysis. He is enthusiastic about contributing to any sector where his diverse skill set can make a significant impact, whether in government, private, or nonprofit organizations. By embracing roles that challenge and utilize his capabilities in these areas, Xiufeng aims to foster a versatile career that bridges technical proficiency with strategic insight, ensuring that he remains at the forefront of technological advancements and business solutions. His journey at Connecting Up is a stepping stone towards this multidimensional career path, equipping him with the practical experience and professional network necessary to thrive in various dynamic environments.

 

Community Services in Councils Project
Frank Xiufeng 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 Port Adelaide Enfield Council a dataset of approximately 700 listings. Frank's data analytics reports can be found here: City of Port Adelaide Enfield and Frank contacted the council by email on 5 March 2024 to introduce his reports, the SAcommunity service to the council and ask for feedback.


Image: Connecting Up Monthly Meeting held 12 December 2023 with volunteer Frank in attendance

Image: Pujan Maharjan, Camille Sze Pui Ko, Navadani Thennakoon, Frank Xiufeng Shi, Stathis Avramis, Govinda Gurung at the GovHack Connections Event 9 August 2023

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: SAcommunity Volunteers at the GovHack Competition Event Friday 18 - 20 August 2023: Camille Sze Pui Ko, Stathis Avramis and Frank Xiufeng Shi attending Friday night GovHack Competition to represent SAcommunity, Connecting Up.

Professional development at Infoxchange is structured around a balanced approach: approximately 70% is dedicated to hands-on project work, 20% to peer-to-peer learning interactions, and 10% to formal educational sessions. For members of the SAcommunity Team like Frank, this translates to about 15 hours of project engagement, 3 hours of learning from peers, and an intensive 1.5-hour online webinar session—including 30 minutes dedicated to feedback. This structure is designed to foster reflection and reinforce the team's understanding of key concepts, ensuring the assimilation of knowledge into practical skills for lifelong learning.

Enhancing the Volunteer Experience through Learning

Frank's selection and participation in relevant weekly webinars, workshops, and webcons have been instrumental in augmenting his volunteer experience. A notable session was:

Leveraging a solid foundation in IT support and cybersecurity management from my undergraduate studies, I've maintained a keen interest in the confluence of these fields. Participating in this webinar served as a critical step in refreshing and broadening my expertise, echoing my dedication to perpetual learning and adherence to the pinnacle of IT management practices.

This webinar proved to be a profound experience, reinforcing the pivotal role of cybersecurity within IT management. It effectively connected my academic knowledge with the practical and evolving challenges confronting IT managers in the contemporary digital domain.

The discourse on current cybersecurity threats was particularly enlightening, illuminating emerging risks that have become more prominent post my undergraduate education. Learning to assess cybersecurity risks through the lens of the latest frameworks has enriched my approach to IT support. Furthermore, the discussion on essential cybersecurity measures underscored the ever-changing landscape of technological defenses, emphasizing the critical need for an adaptive and proactive strategy towards cybersecurity.