My Summer With DAR: Nikhilesh Gujjula
As a student pursuing a degree in Management Information Systems (MIS), I’ve come to appreciate the intersection of technology, data management and organizational efficiency. Through my academic journey, I was able to obtain valuable theoretical knowledge. I’ve also sought practical experiences which further develop my skills and allow me to apply my theoretical knowledge to the real world. One such enriching experience has been my internship in college fundraising, where I’ve discovered numerous connections between MIS principles and nonprofit development.
Through my MIS classes, we learn the importance of data as an asset. During my internship, I’ve witnessed firsthand how UGA is able to efficiently utilize donor databases such as GAIL to personalize outreach efforts as well as forecast donation trends. From learning about CRM systems to implementing online donation portals, I’ve gained invaluable insights into leveraging technology to achieve strategic fundraising objectives. This experience has deepened my appreciation for data-driven decision-making and sharpened my skills in managing and analyzing information.
Through my experiences with the Annual Giving team, I worked on researching prospective donors on GAIL and providing personalized outreach with emails and phone calls. This allowed me to further develop my organizational skills and especially cold calling which allowed me to hone my confidence. My time with the Parent Giving team also helped me become familiar with GAIL through adding interactions with prospective donors. During my first week as a development intern, I shadowed Mrs. Courtney Ayers who did an outstanding job showing us how to talk to donors and ways to build strong relationships with them. Through this experience I was able to get my first taste of talking to donors and how important it is to have patience. My experiences with the Office of Business Engagement (OBE), under the guidance of Mrs. Stacy Sanford, led me to understand the integral role that corporations play in enhancing educational opportunities for students. This includes funding for internships, co-op programs, and research projects that integrate academic learning with practical industry experience. Such initiatives help students develop relevant skills, expand their networks, and increase their employability upon graduation.
Under the guidance of Mr. Jeff Garmon, Mr. Greg Harmelink, and the rest of the Advancement IT Services team, I was able to gain an understanding into how IT plays a crucial role in making sure systems run properly and efficiently, especially with as large a database as GAIL. Their ability to provide security and analyze data using programs such as Tableau and Qlik were inspiring to learn about. Through Research & Prospect Management, under the guidance of Mrs. Nedra Newton-Jones, Mrs. Danielle Free, and their team, I was able to gain a fundamental understanding of how this team collaborates with fundraisers, and makes sure prospects and donors receive the greatest possible experience. They are able to achieve this through extensive data mining, information sharing and optimization of fundraiser activity with donors and prospects. Through DARCOMM, under the guidance of Mrs. Lacey Creech, I was able to learn about the importance of telling a story as well as efficient ways to market to students and donors alike. I genuinely enjoyed working with this team.
Some things that I would want the DAR interns next year to pick up on would be to be intentional and network with all the employees. I believe that building strong and genuine relationships is key to a healthy workplace environment. An example being when the other intern Rachel and I went to Atlanta with Mr. Adam Roell for the 1961 Club, we were able to ask him a lot of questions on the ride there. I don’t think I have ever had such a touching experience with a coworker. He had gone through so much and I was truly inspired by his story. I learned that being smart doesn’t mean anything if you don’t have a work ethic. Adam said something that has been bouncing around in my head ever since, “You can be smarter than me but I bet that I will be the hardest working person there. As long as I can do that, that is all that matters to me.” He is one of the most genuine people I have ever met and I am so grateful to have met him. I think DAR interns should definitely be intentional with work relationships because you have no idea the opportunities and lessons they can teach you.
In conclusion, this internship as an MIS student has been enriched by practical experiences that connect theory with real-world application. I was able to learn how technology and data management optimize organizational efficiency and strategic fundraising efforts. These experiences deepened my understanding of data-driven decision-making and strengthened my skills in donor outreach as well as data analysis. Moving forward, I look forward to leveraging these insights to contribute effectively in both academic and professional contexts.
