Changing the Algorithm: DataCamp Donates and HELP Team Up to Create a Data-Driven Haiti
Up, up, up....up. Up a dizzying number of floors until we were surely in line with the sky! The 77th floor of the Empire State Building seemed as good a place as any to have a partnership meeting. Stepping out of the elevator, Sam Connor, HELP’s Director of Development, and I, HELP’s Grants & Communications Assistant, were greeted by Rayan Elatmani, DataCamp’s Social Impact Intern, who led us into a sunny room lined with windows. We were in line with the sky, and all the skyscrapers that seemed so tall on the ground appeared to have shrunk down to miniature replicas.
The view from DataCamp’s office in Midtown Manhattan
It was a gloriously quiet respite from the constantly bustling metropolis of New York City. After recovering from our initial awe of the setting and seamless operation, Sam and I sat down with Nathaniel Taylor-Leach, DataCamp’s Social Impact Manager, and Rayan Elatmani
DataCamp is an online learning platform used by many companies, organizations, and individuals to improve their data science, analysis, and engineering skills. DataCamp has another division, DataCamp Donates, specifically devoted to providing DataCamp resources to disadvantaged communities that normally would not have access to data science education. DataCamp Donates recently gifted HELP with year-long Premium subscriptions to the platform so that our students can advance in the data science field.
From our discussion with Rayan and Nathaniel Taylor-Leach, Social Impact Manager at DataCamp, two things stuck out about DataCamp. One: attention to quality. DataCamp does not only offer online data science learning. It provides effective tools to build portfolios and collaborate with the DataCamp community, as well as job/recruiting features that connect employers and job seekers using learners’ real qualifications gained on DataCamp. I found this to be a really refreshing change from the popular corporate philanthropic mantra of “give a little and leverage that gift to amplify business.” As Nathaniel said, “Other tech platforms will provide to nonprofits a somewhat restricted, neutered version of their platform, and then still charge for it on top of that, maybe at a discounted price. DataCamp Donates is always 100% free, and is one of the most comprehensive packages DataCamp has to offer.”
Rayan, DataCamp’s Social Impact Intern, shared a similar perspective. He said, “I've done many different internships in many different industries, and I think this last one is kind of the cherry on top of the cake for me. I’ve never worked in social impact before and that’s very rewarding to not have objectives in terms of how many sales you’ve done, but how many people you’ve helped.”
Rayan Elatmani, Social Impact Intern at Datacamp, talks about his experience working with HELP
The other quality about DataCamp that struck a chord with us is their true passion for social change. It was clear, even from just a quick tour around the office, that the team is passionate about what they do. When I think about social justice and revolution, data science is not the first thing that comes to mind. But as Nathaniel explained, the democratization of data education addresses global problems in every facet of society by tackling the root issues of underrepresentation, lack of access, and resources. It’s much more transformative than it gets credit for. “The problem is when the people collecting, analyzing, visualizing said data all come from a limited stock, meaning they all look similar, sound similar, behave similarly, their findings and solutions are going to fit people that look like them, sound like them, behave like them. If you want to really drive home change in our society and our world, the people analyzing the data and thinking about what those changes should need to reflect the diversity of the world they’re trying to serve..” The team at DataCamp truly have a strong vision and methodology to improve the social conditions of their field.
Because of their commitment to building social change, DataCamp Donate’s partnership with HELP has been really exciting on both sides. I asked Nathaniel about their experiences working with HELP.
“What I love about HELP is that it’s kind of like DataCamp in the sense that it’s a one-stop-shop for learning everything related to data science, HELP is a full scholarship program. We partner with organizations that assist some students through college, but HELP really leads their scholars through college and gives them everything they need to succeed—full-ride scholarships, connections to mentors, and other great opportunities. I’m just so happy that access to a full year of DataCamp is just one of those many perks that HELP students get. HELP has an impeccable track record of ensuring that their students follow through with all the learning that is gifted to them through the scholarship and acquire great, high-paying jobs. Not only that, HELP alumni then give back to their community through the HELP program and drive the change that they want to see in the world. I find this reciprocal cycle of generosity, opportunity, and success quite inspiring.”
HELP students are also enthusiastic about the DataCamp partnership. Bethuel, a HELP alum, says of his experience using DataCamp, “Learning while having fun is something I am experiencing with Datacamp. The way the courses are set up allows me to move into the world of data and learn about its usefulness. I am now at a more advanced level in the world of data science and once I finish, I will also be able to share and put the knowledge I have gained to work for people who recognize the importance of data science." Nathaniel told us that HELP has a perfect 100% adoption rate, meaning HELP students have used the platform thoroughly and enthusiastically. Not only that but HELP students have also logged over ten thousand hours of learning in just six months of the DataCamp partnership. It is really outstanding what our students can accomplish when given the right tools and opportunities!
Rayan also remarked how well the DataCamp partnership is going with HELP staff, as well as the students. “Working with HELP has been really positive. I am in charge of more than 50 partners, and HELP is one of those partners where you know that they’re going to respond, you know that they’re going to actively and proactively reach out to you to let you know how things are going.... Benjy [HELP IT Coordinator] has been a very good element and good communication point for the HELP team in Haiti because he is just so ready to give us so much information; he’s so responsive every time.” Benjy also commented on his experience with DataCamp, saying, “I have seen several HELP students who started with no knowledge of computer programming who are now very advanced in their learning path and have earned many certificates. And all this knowledge will allow them to use the best data analysis tools and methods when writing their thesis.” We at HELP are really excited about our partnership with DataCamp as well as the future of that relationship and what it means for the future of HELP and Haiti. When asked what the future of data science looks like, Nathaniel had this prediction:
“By bringing more diverse people to the table, we’re going to naturally produce better solutions, better products, better services, better insights that can affect more people broadly, more effectively,” said Nathaniel. “Programs like HELP are really able to make a huge impact in that regard, by giving POC everything they need to achieve their dreams and to affect real change—that's what’s so exciting about HELP.”
We are extremely grateful for DataCamp Donates’ commitment to education and are thrilled with the work our students have already put forth. We’re excited to see what the future holds for them in data science!