Adelaide University Internship Experience - Kurinji Arivazhagan

Welcome Kurinji!

Kurinji Arivazhagan has joined our SAcommunity Data Analytics Team as part of her University of Adelaide SET (Sciences, Engineering, and Technology) Internship for her Master of Data Science. Her internship spans 140 hours, from September 3, 2024, to November 8, 2024. 

Kurinji is currently volunteering onsite with SAcommunity at the Connecting Up Office, Infoxchange, where she contributes 1-2 days per week (15 hours). We are excited to have her expertise in data analytics supporting the organization and assisting with key community data projects. 

Total Hours: 140  Joined: 3 September 2024 Last Check-in: 22 November 2024

Personal Biography
Kurinji Arivazhagan is a Master of Data Science student at the University of Adelaide, with a strong background in data analysis, machine learning, and data visualization. She brings valuable industry experience from her role as a System Engineer at Infosys, where she developed internal websites, mentored over 100 trainees, and led web development projects. Kurinji has also worked on big data analysis projects, such as forecasting movie ratings using datasets from IMDb and TMDB.

Driven by a passion for leveraging data to improve community outcomes, Kurinji has volunteered with the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), where she helped organize initiatives to enhance health, education, and livelihoods in underserved communities. With technical expertise in Python, R, and machine learning frameworks like Scikit-learn and TensorFlow, she is committed to using data analytics to generate actionable insights for impactful community projects.

At Connecting Up, Kurinji is focused on networking with professionals in her field to gain valuable insights and expertise. She is keen to deepen her knowledge of organizational databases and explore the practical application of data in real-world decision-making. Her goals include mastering data analytics tools like Excel, Power BI, and Google Analytics, while refining her skills in data collection, cleaning, management, and designing compelling dashboards to communicate insights effectively.

Elliston Council FY 2023-2024

Community Services in Councils Project

Kurinji chose Elliston Council for her Power BI reports, a dataset of 11 records covering all available financial years: 2021–2022, 2022–2023, and 2023–2024. The completed reports are accessible here.

The process of creating community service information presentations involves several steps. First, data trends are analyzed using insights from Google Analytics and SAcommunity. This is followed by the creation of initial Power BI and Canva reports, which help identify data anomalies and highlight necessary corrections. The database is then updated based on these findings, and the reports are re-created to ensure improved and accurate information is presented to council by email on 1 November 2024.

Intern Kurinji Arivazhagan with her mentor Pankaj Chhalotre, Head of Connecting Up, Infoxchange, 20 September 2024.

Mentor Meeting

Connecting Up volunteers and interns are given the opportunity to select staff members from the broader Infoxchange organization for an informational mentor meeting. In these meetings, they can ask about the staff members' roles, career paths, and professional development, gaining valuable insights and guidance for their own success.

Volunteers and interns prepare five questions in advance for their mentors and are encouraged to document five key takeaways they found beneficial to share in their portfolio, both for personal reflection and to assist fellow volunteers. Kurinji, for instance, shared her experience after meeting with Pankaj Chhalotre, the Head of Connecting Up Programs at Infoxchange.

Embracing Leadership with Self-Awareness
Pankaj emphasized that effective leadership starts with understanding yourself—your strengths, weaknesses, and communication style. This idea of self-awareness resonated with me as I navigate new workplace dynamics, inspiring me to lead with empathy and self-reflection.

Adjusting to New Environments and Cultures
Adjusting to a new culture during my internship has been challenging. Pankaj’s advice to "be yourself and give your best effort" helped me embrace these challenges as opportunities for growth. Staying authentic and focusing on continuous improvement will lead to success.

Harnessing the Power of Data Analytics
Pankaj’s stories about the impact of data analytics, especially platforms like Ask Izzy, sparked a sense of purpose in me. They reinforced my belief that data science can drive meaningful change, helping solve real-world problems and improve lives.

Embracing Constructive Criticism
Pankaj encouraged me to view feedback as a tool for growth rather than personal criticism. His perspective gave me the confidence to embrace feedback and use it to enhance both my professional and personal development.

Asking for Help Without Hesitation
A key takeaway from the session was the importance of asking for help when needed. Pankaj reassured me that seeking support is a strength, not a weakness. This insight has given me the confidence to approach colleagues and mentors more openly for guidance.

Moving Forward with Confidence
This mentoring session left me feeling more confident about tackling challenges. I now feel inspired to approach my internship and future career with authenticity, openness to feedback, and a commitment to making a meaningful impact through data analytics.

Infoxchange RU OK Cake & Connect Day 10 September 2024.

Cake and Connect - R U OK?

In the spirit of R U OK? Day, a moment of connection and support was shared.Cake and heartfelt conversations were enjoyed, serving as a reminder of the importance of checking in on one another—not just by asking “Are you okay?” but by truly listening to how others are feeling, both mentally and emotionally. The day provided an opportunity to reflect on the power of small gestures, such as asking a simple question, in making a meaningful difference to someone’s well-being.

Personal insights on maintaining mental health were exchanged, and everyday practices that nurture well-being were discussed. The gathering was not solely about enjoying treats, but about fostering an environment where open, supportive conversations are encouraged as a regular part of life. A valuable reminder was provided to stay connected, care for each other, and promote a culture of compassion.

Mental Health Awareness Week Coffee, 9 October 2024.

Mental Health Awareness Week Coffee at Café Bang Bang

As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, a coffee meet-up was held at Café Bang Bang. The event provided a relaxed setting where meaningful conversations about mental health were shared. Colleagues were able to connect and offer support to one another while enjoying coffee in the cozy atmosphere.

Telephone Techniques 11 September 2024: Led by Volunteer David Webb

Telephone Techniques 11 September 2024: Practicing in Groups: Kurinji Arivazhagan, Mihir Desai, Shoaib Khalid, Rajkarthick Raju, Aaron Xuefeng Li.

Telephone Training

All interns and volunteers at SAcommunity participate in telephone techniques training, as strong phone etiquette is crucial for their roles. This training equips members of the Data Analytics Team with the skills to effectively manage directory information, collect data, and update council datasets. Additionally, it prepares them to professionally present reports to council stakeholders. To support consistency and professionalism, interns are provided with a telephone script. Through this comprehensive training, interns gain the confidence and expertise needed to communicate effectively and represent the team in a professional manner.

SAcommunity Peer to Peer Learning

Peer to Peer Learning

During a peer-to-peer learning session, our team came together to discuss the recurring issues related to data extraction from Google Analytics. It soon became clear that many of the interns were encountering similar challenges in this area. As I was fairly new to the internship at the time, understanding my roles and responsibilities felt challenging. Recognizing this, Mihir took the initiative to not only explain the workflow to me but also break it down in a way that made it easier to understand, adapt, and execute. This guidance helped me feel more confident in contributing to the team’s efforts.

 Presenting Power BI Report to Fellow Intern and Volunteer: Alex Thi Ngoc-Bich Nguyen, Hui Tao.

Sharing Insights: Power BI Report Presentation

In a recent session, a Power BI report on the Elliston Council was presented to fellow interns. Valuable discussions were sparked, and feedback from peers was provided to help refine the report. This experience led to improvements in both technical and communication skills.

Data Catalyst Network (DCN)

The Data Catalyst Network (DCN) is made up of close to 50 organisations working with data from the not-for-profit community sector. The Data Catalyst Network brings together people from across sectors, to break cycles of disadvantage through the innovative use of data. DCN is a partnership between Infoxchange and the Paul Ramsay Foundation. Volunteers and Interns have the opportunity to attend these stakeholder meetings.

 
DCN Working with Government data - Lessons from the Learning for Life program, 1 October 2024.

DCN Working with Government data - Lessons from the Learning for Life program

In a webinar hosted by Kristen Moeller-Saxone from Infoxchange, Anne Hampshire from The Smith Family and David Engelhardt from the Department of Education and Children's Services discussed the challenges of data sharing with government agencies, particularly when dealing with sensitive information. David pointed out that while many states have data linkage units, these are primarily focused on research, which limits their use in operational settings due to complexity and costs. Anne highlighted successful data-sharing models in states like South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, and Queensland, with ongoing discussions in Victoria and New South Wales, showcasing the potential of collaborative approaches to data sharing.

Yong Kheng Beh Visits Connecting Up for Q & A, 16 October 2024

Yong Kheng Beh Visits Connecting Up for Q & A

Yong Kheng Beh was warmly welcomed back to Connecting Up. A lively discussion was sparked by her visit, during which valuable insights from her experience were generously shared with Kurinji and other interns, covering topics ranging from university life to professional growth. Inspiration was drawn from her reflections on her previous project with Connecting Up, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and continuous learning. The session left everyone, including Kurinji, feeling energized and motivated by the perspectives she provided.

Digital Training & Development

Volunteers and interns have access to the Connecting Up Digital Learning Platform, which offers live and recorded webinars, workshops, and web conferences led by subject-matter experts, covering various technology topics relevant to the not-for-profit sector.

Kurinji selected, attended, summarized, and evaluated relevant training sessions to explore how these resources could enhance her experience at Connecting Up.

Six Data Collection Essentials with Google Sheets and Forms

Kurinji Arivazhagan Certificate of Completion >> here

This webinar covered the fundamentals of Google Sheets and Google Forms, making it valuable for beginners as well as those looking to explore additional features. Pablo provided an overview of both tools, shared practical examples, and gave participants time for hands-on practice through class exercises. Some of the new features Kurinji learned from this webinar include the comment and tag functions, the drop-down feature in Google Sheets, and a comprehensive understanding of Google Forms.

Learn how to build your own custom AI assistant

Kurinji Arivazhagan Certificate of Completion >> here

In this webinar, experts from Microsoft, including Rohit Lakhanpal, Abby Shen, and Alexander Georges, shared insights on building custom Co-Pilot solutions using generative AI models. The session covered the evolving landscape of Co-Pilots, how to create custom GPTs with OpenAI, and explored low-code and no-code options for developing AI-powered tools. Kurinji learned how these technologies can revolutionize customer service and self-support systems by enabling businesses to interact with their data more effectively.

Getting Started with Analytics: Tools, Infrastructure & Data

Kurinji Arivazhagan Certificate of Completion >> here

In this insightful session, Vivek Katial, Co-Founder of the Good Data Institute (GDI), and Kristen Moeller-Saxone, Data Capability Lead, shared practical strategies for NGOs to begin their data journey, even with limited resources. The session covered essential tools and infrastructure, methods for handling messy data, and showcased real-life case studies from GDI projects. Kurinji learned how to effectively manage and utilize data through actionable tips and examples from charities that have successfully embraced data-driven approaches. The speakers emphasized the importance of building data capabilities to drive positive social impact.

Getting started with data: Fundamentals, strategies and setting up quick wins 

Kurinji Arivazhagan Certificate of Completion >> here

In this webinar, Kurinji gained valuable insights into how not-for-profit organizations can begin their data journey. The session highlighted the importance of data in showcasing an organization’s purpose and achievements, using real-life case studies to provide context. Key topics covered included setting up a data strategy aligned with organizational goals, identifying essential data sources, and selecting the right tools and skills to manage data effectively. Kurinji also learned how to set up data projects for quick wins, with an emphasis on the importance of clear communication with staff and management to foster a data-driven culture.

Getting started with data: Microsoft Power BI for data analysis

Kurinji Arivazhagan Certificate of Completion >> here

In this webinar, Kurinji gained practical experience with Microsoft Power BI, learning how to enhance data analysis capabilities and unlock valuable insights. Led by Microsoft Cloud Solution Architects Chris Olsen and Benny Austin, the session was part of the "Getting Started with Data" series and provided a step-by-step guide to Power BI’s powerful features.

The session highlighted the importance of using data visualization to drive better decision-making and demonstrated how organizations can effectively showcase their impact. Key topics covered included Power BI’s basic concepts, best practices for data analysis, and techniques for creating impactful visualizations.

Participants were guided through real-world applications of Power BI, with a focus on developing skills to collect, clean, and analyze data. The session also emphasized the importance of planning and adopting a strategic approach to data projects, ensuring that insights are communicated clearly and effectively.

This webinar was a valuable opportunity for Kurinji to strengthen her understanding of data visualization tools and gain the confidence to apply them in real-world scenarios, empowering organizations to foster a data-driven culture.

Getting started with data: Hands-on with Microsoft Power BI for data visualisation

Kurinji Arivazhagan Certificate of Completion >> here

In this interactive session, Kurinji gained hands-on experience with Microsoft Power BI, learning how to transform raw data into compelling visualizations and dashboards. Led by Microsoft Cloud Solution Architects Chris Olsen and Benny Austin, the webinar explored best practices for data analysis and visualization techniques, tailored for participants at various skill levels.

The session was part of the "Getting Started with Data" series, building on the foundational concepts introduced in the first webinar. Kurinji learned about Power BI’s core features and how to use them effectively for real-world decision-making. The workshop emphasized creating impactful dashboards to communicate insights clearly and drive better decisions for organizations.

Key takeaways from the webinar included:

• Understanding Microsoft Power BI’s basic concepts and capabilities.
• Applying best practices in data visualization to tell compelling stories.
• Setting up efficient workflows for data collection, cleaning, and analysis.

A standout feature of the session was its focus on practical application, ensuring attendees left with the tools and confidence to create their own data-driven visual stories. For those looking to explore Power BI further, downloading the free desktop version is recommended.

This enriching session reinforced the importance of leveraging data visualization tools like Power BI to empower decision-making and enhance organizational impact.

Getting started with data: Essential data analysis techniques for NFPs

In this webinar, Kurinji explored how not-for-profit organizations can leverage data to create compelling visual stories that drive impact. The session, led by experts from Microsoft, emphasized the importance of data visualization in showcasing an organization’s achievements and making data-driven decisions. Real-life case studies were used to demonstrate practical applications and common pitfalls to avoid when working with data.

Key topics covered included framing effective questions to uncover actionable insights, identifying essential data sources, and utilizing tools like Microsoft Excel and Power BI to create meaningful analyses. Kurinji also learned valuable AI techniques to streamline workflows and set up impactful dashboards. The webinar highlighted the significance of planning, developing the right skills, and fostering clear communication within the organization to build a strong data-driven culture.

SAcommunity Team Photo 25 October 2024. Left to Right: Flavia, Yong Kheng, Rex Porter, Eily Lee Selvam, Alex Thi Ngoc-Bich, Kurinji Arivazhagan, Mihir Desai, Dylan Reed, Jason Chun Kwan Lam, Shoaib Khalid, Rajkarthick Raju, Jacinta Jiawei Qi, Navodani Thennakoon

Reflection

Looking back on my internship with SAcommunity's Data Analytics Team and the accompanying webinars, I am deeply grateful for the growth and insights I’ve gained. This journey has been transformative, enhancing my technical abilities in data extraction, validation, and visualization through tools like Power BI and Canva. It also underscored the importance of precision and thorough analysis when presenting data to council stakeholders, ensuring that insights are both practical and impactful.

The mentorship sessions with Pankaj Chhalotre were a turning point, providing invaluable lessons on self-awareness, collaboration, and adopting a growth mindset. His guidance inspired me to approach challenges constructively and embrace feedback as a tool for improvement. Participating in Infoxchange's webinars and workshops further expanded my knowledge of data security, AI integration, and business intelligence within the not-for-profit sector, reinforcing the need to align technical solutions with organizational objectives.

This experience was not just about technical learning—it also fostered a sense of belonging through team meetings, town halls, and 'Lunch and Learn' events. These opportunities to connect with like-minded professionals enriched both my personal and professional journey.

Ultimately, this internship has solidified my passion for using data analytics and AI to support not-for-profit projects. It has equipped me with a strong technical foundation, an appreciation for teamwork, and a clear direction for building a career dedicated to community impact.

Elevator Pitch Practice: Alex Thi Ngoc-Bich Nguyen, Dylan Reed, Rex Porter, Kurinji, Aaron Xuefeng Li, Jason Chun Kwan Lam, Jacinta Jiawei Qi and Eily Lee Selvam 1 November 2024