My Volunteer Experience - Rasika Nawarathne

Welcome Rasika!
Rasika Nawarathne joined our Data Analytics Team as a volunteer, following in the footsteps of cousin Nirupama Amarakoon, whilst he searches for employment. Beginning with the team this year on the 30 January 2024, he attends for ~4 hours a week onsite at the Connecting Up Office. We are thrilled to report that Rasika has now found work with SA Water, starting on the 22 July 2024. Congratulations Rasika!

Total Hours 70 Joined 30 January 2024 Last Check-in 9 July 2024 (retired)

Personal Biography
Rasika, a Civil Engineering graduate from the National Institute of Technology Rourkela, India, has honed his skills in the construction industry, notably specialising in quality assurance and control in weirs, dams and water structures used in irrigation, for the Minipe Left Bank Canal Rehabilitation Project, during his two-year tenure at AMSK Constructions Pvt Ltd in Sri Lanka. With expertise in project management, technical consultation, stakeholder liason and document management, he recently relocated to Adelaide, driven by opportunities in the thriving engineering sector. He is actively seeking employment in Australia, where he can use his skills to contribute to local infrastructure and development.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Rasika is a self-taught indie musician, showcasing his talents on the reality television singing competition 'The Voice' in Sri Lanka in 2023. Where he was successfully selected in the Blind Auditions with Riptide, joining 'Team Umaria', hosted by renowned Sri Lankan Music Industry Award Winner Umaria Sinhawansa. Throughout the competition, Rasika delivered captivating performances through Battle Rounds Nadee Ganga Tharanaye before his final showing in the Knockouts Paradeesee Ma Ha. His self-titled YouTube channel and Spotify playlist highlight many of his more recent artistic endeavours.  

Inspired by his cousin Niru's experience and motivated by a desire to kickstart his professional journey in Australia, Rasika recognised volunteering with Connecting Up would create a strategic pathway to immerse himself in the local community and industry landscape. Rasika belives volunteering offers invaluable opportunities for growth and development, through actively engaging and collaborating with his peers and other professionals, expanding his network, and enhancing his personal brand. Since moving to Adelaide a few months ago, he has also seen that it allows him to leverage his skills and contribute meaningfully to community initiatives, that are still in alignment with his engineering focus.

Looking ahead, Rasika aims to fulfill his career as a Civil Engineering professional in the Australian Civil Engineering Industry. Here he endeavours to utilise his expertise to contribute to and drive impactful projects, working across all aspects of design, construction and maintenance of infrastructure and building projects that positively impact the community. Rasika envisions continuing his passion for music in parallel with his engineering career, foreseeing a future where he can continue to work both as a respected engineer and accomplished musician.


Image: Volunteer Rasika Nawarathne with Data Analytics Team Lead Stathis Avramis

Community Services in Councils Project

Rasika has selected Streaky Bay for his Power BI council reports, a database of approximately 19 community services operating in the area for the financial years 2020-2021, 2021-2022, and 2022-2023 and his completed reports can be found >>here. Rasika even returned for a day to farewell the team and complete the final reports after his full-time employment was confirmed, so that nothing was left unfinished, thank you Raskika! 

 

There are a number of steps involved in the creation of community service information data presentations. A summary of data trends prepared, using information from Google Analytics and SAcommunity with subsequent Power BI and Canva reports revealing data anomalies and corrections required, the database is updated and reports re-created with improved information. Final data reports are published to the website, and will be introduced by him to council stakeholders for information and/or feedback.

Work experience - Internal and External Events, Connections and Networking 

Volunteers and interns are encouraged to participate in various organizational meetings and events to gain a comprehensive understanding of the organization. These include monthly SAcommunity Team meetings, Connecting Up staff meetings, and quarterly all-staff Infoxchange Town Hall meetings.
 

Organization-wide updates, events, and projects are regularly shared through staff channels, along with weekly CEO Updates from David Spriggs. Additionally, informal 'Lunch and Learn' educational sessions and network meetings provide opportunities for volunteers and interns to connect with staff members. Peer-to-peer training and telephone techniques training further facilitate networking among volunteers.

 

Image: Connecting Up Monthly Staff Meeting 13 February 2024
 

Key Highlights & Takeaways: 

Connecting Up Monthly Staff Meeting - 13 February 2024 

Introduction to Jo Davies the COO of Infoxchange. Listening to Jo share her career story was quite fascinating. Her journey, starting from a young age and spanning from the UK to Australia, truly inspired me, as a young professional trying to build up a career in Australia
 

These meetings were unique in that they struck a balance between professionalism and approachability. Despite the serious topics discussed, there was a relaxed atmosphere that made them enjoyable. As someone eager to join the Australian workforce, these sessions provided valuable insights into what to expect in terms of workplace culture and conduct.

 

Lunch & Learn Session - 5 March 2024 

The Lunch & Learn Sessions struck a perfect balance between informality and productivity, in my view. During the Effective Meeting and Communication Skills session, I gained a wealth of insights. From mastering phone etiquettes to refining email and written communication, the session covered it all. What stood out to me was the realization that certain practices I've been employing can be sharpened up to communicate better with stakeholders. It was an eye-opening experience that underscored the importance of effective communication in every aspect of professional life.

 

Training and Development - Telephone Techniques - 9 April 2024

Practicing telephone techniques was unexpectedly enjoyable and insightful for me. It provided a glimpse into how customer service officers handle challenging situations, which I found both fun and interesting. Not only did it enhance my day-to-day telephone skills, but it also allowed me to engage with other volunteers and interns. Communicating with such a diverse group of people was great and exposed me to new ideas, further enriching my learning journey.

Image: Yi Han, Dexter Tabada, Anju Odedara, Violet Zewei You, Alice Jingyi Zeng, Rasika, Stathis Avramis, Harsh Bhatt, Pujan Maharjan, Camille Sze Pui Ko, Rex Porter

Volunteering with Connecting Up has been a strategic move to immerse myself in the local community and industry landscape of Adelaide. I have been preparing Power BI reports on community services for Streaky Bay council, using data from Google Analytics and SAcommunity. This role has allowed me to refine my analytical skills and present my findings to council stakeholders, gaining invaluable experience and insights. 

Participating in various organizational meetings and events, including monthly SAcommunity Team meetings and 'Lunch and Learn' sessions, has provided me with a deeper understanding of the Australian workplace culture and enhanced my communication and networking skills. 

Looking ahead, I aim to build a career in the Australian Civil Engineering industry, contributing to impactful projects in design, construction, and maintenance of infrastructure. I envision balancing my engineering career with my passion for music, aspiring to excel as both an engineer and a musician.

Image: Rasika's Farewell 9 July 2024: Violet Zewei You, Yong Kheng Beh, Olivia Thi Kim Oanh Nguyen, Rasika, Jay Shijie Zhang, Harsh Bhatt