Abdurahman Elmi

Abdurahman Elmi is currently studying a BSc Economics at UCL. In summer 2024 Abdurahman completed a Social Data Institute internship with AllChild.

A key part of my role involved analysing key performance indicators to evaluate whether programme quality and outcomes were being upheld.

Throughout the internship, I participated in team meetings, sharing progress updates and contributing to discussions. I had one-on-one meetings with various team members to gain deeper insights into their roles and learn more about the amazing work done at AllChild. I also supported strategic project planning and ongoing monitoring and evaluation efforts, using data to drive decision-making processes and improve programme performance.

What project(s) were you involved in and what outcomes or deliverables were generated e.g. reports, articles, insight generated for the rest of the organisation etc.?
I was involved in several key projects during my internship at AllChild. One of the main projects I worked on focused on evaluating the programme’s impact and performance during the summer term. My main tasks involved conducting a pre-/post-outcomes analysis to assess the impact of our Delivery Partners within the community and reviewed key performance indicators to ensure that programme quality was upheld during the summer term.

I also worked on processing and analysing large datasets, including demographic and attainment data from schools, which were used to identify young people for AllChild’s programmes. This included the first-ever cohort for AllChild’s expansion into the Wigan area, which was really exciting

One of the key outcomes of my internship was a presentation I put together for the team, where I shared my interpretations of the core commitment work. This presentation offered insights and data-driven findings, which helped drive discussions about how the programme was performing.

Overall, my contributions helped inform decision-making processes, and it was rewarding to play a part in evaluating and hopefully improving AllChild’s programme performance through my data analysis.

What was your favourite task/responsibility during your internship and which piece of work are you most proud of?
My favourite experience during the internship was visiting a local school partnered with AllChild on my second day to observe the survey collection process. I wasn’t expecting to be in a school setting so soon, and it was a pleasant surprise. It was refreshing to be in an environment where I could see the direct impact of AllChild’s work. Witnessing the survey process in action allowed me to connect the data analysis tasks I would be performing later with the real-world context they were influencing. This experience was particularly meaningful because the work I did throughout my internship was closely related to these surveys, and it was valuable to have firsthand insight into how the data was being collected.

However, my favourite task during the internship was developing a presentation based on the core commitment work which included information on the programme's summer performance. After weeks of technical work involving data analysis, it was fulfilling to have the opportunity to share my insights and ideas with the team. The presentation was a significant milestone for me because it allowed me to apply my analytical skills to identify trends and patterns in the data, and then communicate these findings effectively. This task was particularly important to me because one of my main goals before starting the internship was to improve my presentation skills. The positive reception from the team reinforced my confidence and validated the hard work I had put into the analysis. Presenting my work and receiving constructive feedback was a highlight of my internship and a skill I am eager to continue developing in my future career.

What did you find challenging during your internship?
One of the main challenges I encountered during my internship was working with complex Excel functions, such as VLOOKUP and creating accurate charts from large datasets. Additionally, learning RStudio for data analysis was initially tough, as I had no prior experience with it. However, my manager provided me with a self-learning course, which was incredibly helpful. With time and practice, I was able to develop my skills and reach a good level of proficiency. This support made a big difference and helped me overcome these technical challenges successfully. I am proud to have developed these skills and look forward to applying them in my future career.

What software and data analysis techniques did you have the opportunity to use?
During my internship, I had the opportunity to work with several key software tools and data analysis techniques that enhanced my technical skills. I frequently used Excel for managing and analysing large datasets, employing features like pivot tables, VLOOKUP, and custom formulas to process and visualise data. Salesforce was also a crucial tool for running reports and exporting data, helping me handle complex demographic and attainment datasets.

Additionally, I used RStudio for more advanced data analysis tasks, such as running scripts to manipulate large datasets and extract meaningful insights. These tools and techniques were vital in conducting quantitative analysis and contributing to the programme monitoring and evaluation efforts. . I'm really grateful for the opportunity to work with these tools, as it significantly contributed to my professional development, and I will carry these skills into my future career.

What was it like working for your provider?
Working for AllChild was an amazing experience. The team was incredibly supportive and welcoming, which made it easy to settle in quickly. The organisation’s mission to support children and young people resonated with me, and I felt that my work contributed to a meaningful cause. Throughout the internship, I had weekly 1:1 meetings with my manager where we discussed upcoming tasks, but these sessions also served as regular check-ins to see how I was doing. At the start of my internship, I shared my goals during one of these 1:1 meetings, and near the end, we reviewed my progress to see if I had achieved them—thankfully, I did. The collaborative environment allowed me to learn from different departments and gain a good understanding on how the charity operates. We also did fun activities, such as weekly Monday morning check-ins where the team would connect remotely to share updates, and we enjoyed a team lunch together, which was a great way to bond outside of work. The open communication and frequent feedback throughout the internship helped me develop both professionally and personally.

What was it like working both remotely and in the office? How much do you think that affected/changed your internship experience?
Working both remotely and in the office offered a balanced and enriching experience, each with its own unique benefits. Remote work allowed me to wake up a little later than if I were commuting, saving valuable time, and the comfort of working from home was a welcome change. Initially, maintaining focus while working remotely was challenging, but I adapted by taking regular breaks and walking around the house more, which significantly improved my productivity. Through this experience, I also learned more about myself and the conditions I work best in.

In the office, I could interact more closely with team members, fostering better communication and collaboration. I appreciated the immediate access to colleagues for help or feedback, which was particularly beneficial for learning. However, even when working remotely, I could easily reach out to colleagues through Google Messages and Google Meet calls, which helped maintain a strong support network.

With only two days a week in the office, I didn’t take those opportunities for granted—I looked forward to them and made the most of my time by speaking with different team members, learning about their roles, and building stronger relationships. This hybrid model allowed me to experience different work dynamics, develop effective time management and communication skills, and gain valuable insights into the various functions within the charity, making the internship both productive and enjoyable.