Discovering impact through data: Our interns' journey with Data for Good

Data drives decision-making, innovation, and growth; however, it can also spark meaningful change. SAS interns experienced this through a "data for good" project with Social Cascade, a health literacy platform designed to modernize patient education with AI technology. Through this project, SAS interns used data to create a positive impact beyond everyday business goals. And for many starting their careers, finding work that contributes to something greater than just a paycheck is a priority.

The Project

The challenge was clear: how could data help Social Cascade, a community partner, optimize content for patient communities, improve outreach, and measure the impact of social media engagement on health outcomes?

A team of interns eagerly took on the project, bringing enthusiasm and curiosity. Over several weeks, they collaborated with Social Cascade to collect and analyze data from various sources with a goal to inform decisions, uncover insights and create a positive impact. They explored demographic trends, patterns, and program effectiveness to help the organization better understand its impact.

Hands-On Learning with a Real-World Impact

Through the project, the interns gained more than just technical skills—they built confidence in tackling real-world challenges. They learned to navigate datasets, communicate insights to non-technical audiences, and collaborate with stakeholders of varying data literacy. It was an opportunity to step outside their comfort zones and see the direct impact of their work.

They also experienced the rewarding side of analytics, as their hard work translated into actionable recommendations, helping Social Cascade optimize social media engagement. The project reinforced that data is about people, purpose, and progress, not just precision and prediction.

We’re incredibly proud of the impact this Data for Good project had, not only on our work but on the interns who contributed to it. The opportunity to collaborate with such a talented and passionate group allowed us to see firsthand how data can drive real, tangible change. This project reminded us all that when data is paired with purpose, it becomes a powerful tool for driving community health outcomes – something we believe in deeply at Social Cascade.” - Lucy, Social Cascade

A Lasting Impression

The Data for Good project didn’t just make a difference for Social Cascade; it left a lasting impression on the interns. It showed them the value of data as a force for positive change:

“My favorite thing about SAS is not only the excellent intern experience, but the opportunity to work on real world issues. The Data for Good project is an opportunity for interns to work with a real client and real datasets to solve a problem. This gives interns a chance to step up and do meaningful work while applying skills learned on the job as well as here at SAS!” - Anthony E.

“As a mentor, I had a phenomenal experience showing other interns how to use data visualization tools and techniques. It was great to see the United in STEM interns work with real data, draw conclusions, and present recommendations based on their findings. I fostered connections that continue to last past the summer and I’m grateful to now understand even better how SAS indeed uses data for good.” - Ben S.

“Being able to provide Social Cascade with valuable insights helped them evaluate new social media strategies and reach different audiences. My graphs showed them how target reach, and demographic measurements would change with certain caption characteristics like punctuation and number of sentences. It was really rewarding for Social Cascade to spread their messages of healthcare education more effectively because of my analysis.” - Hannah I.

“I had an amazing experience participating in the Intern Data for Good project my first summer at SAS, so becoming a mentor during my second summer internship seemed like a no-brainer to me. As a mentor, I was able to work with new interns and see how their visualizations and data stories unfolded as they became accustomed to Visual Analytics, the Social Cascade data, and the goal we laid out for them. It was especially exciting to attend the final presentation to Social Cascade and see the culmination of all the interns' hard work over the course of the project, and I think it is great that SAS has an opportunity for interns to be able to use SAS products to aid a local non-profit partner." - Sebine J.

SAS is committed to the Data for Good initiative, bringing together talented individuals eager to use their skills for something greater. Our interns proved that with curiosity, creativity, and a little guidance, data can indeed be a force for good.

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you’re a student, recent graduate, or professional looking to make an impact, and want to learn more, visit sas.com/careers.