For Saad Ali, the value of his McCusker Centre for Citizenship internship lay in seeing how data can shape people’s working lives — and, through that, strengthen the support provided to the community.
Studying a Master of Business Analytics at UWA, Saad came into the internship with a corporate background. He was looking for an opportunity to apply his technical skills in a more people‑focused environment.
“I wanted to use the skills I was developing through my degree in a real, community‑focused setting,” Saad said. “The McCusker Centre for Citizenship appealed to me because it connects students with organisations that are making a genuine difference.”
Saad interned at Ark Support Coordination, an organisation that works with people who need support to navigate services and achieve better outcomes in their lives. Ark’s work depends heavily on strong internal systems, clear communication and a positive workplace culture — all areas Saad helped strengthen during his internship.
His main project as an Organisational Development Intern involved analysing Ark’s 2026 Cultural and Satisfaction Survey. Saad cleaned and analysed the data, identified key themes, and translated the findings into visual reports and presentations that could be easily understood by leadership and staff. He also conducted a historical analysis, comparing survey results from 2023 to 2026, which helped Ark identify trends over time and areas where improvements had taken hold — or where further attention was needed.
“One of the challenges was dealing with data inconsistencies across the years,” Saad said. “Some questions weren’t exactly the same, so I had to carefully align the data to make sure the analysis was fair and meaningful.”
Saad focused on what the results actually meant in practice. He examined how workflows operated across the organisation and developed practical recommendations to improve processes, productivity and staff experience. These insights were shared directly with Ark’s leadership, and Saad also presented his work to the entire organisation during a team‑building day.
“That was one of the most rewarding parts of the internship,” he said. “Knowing the recommendations I made are going to be implemented, and that they’ll support the organisation beyond my 12 weeks, was incredibly fulfilling.”
While Saad’s work was internal, its community impact is clear. By strengthening workplace culture, improving processes and freeing up leadership time, his contributions support Ark staff to focus on providing consistent, high‑quality support to participants.
His supervisor, Georgia Lewis, said Saad’s impact was immediate and lasting.
“Saad has been exceptional and has shared his knowledge generously with Ark,” she said. “He has made recommendations on new ways of working to enhance productivity and developed efficiencies that free up time for leadership and support staff. He has been a warm, engaging and dynamic addition to our team.”
The internship also shifted Saad’s perspective on how data can be used.
“It showed me how data can be applied in a more human way,” he said. “Staff feedback isn’t just numbers — it’s a way to understand people’s experiences and create a healthier, more supportive workplace.”
Looking ahead, Saad sees the experience as an important step in his professional development.
“It strengthened my confidence in working with real organisational data and presenting insights to stakeholders,” he said. “It also helped me better understand the importance of culture, wellbeing and purpose in any organisation.”
“For me, it wasn’t just about gaining experience,” he said. “It was about learning how my skills can be used to support organisations that genuinely serve the community.”
Image: Haydn Busher and Georgia Lewis from Ark Support Coordination with intern Saad Ali