In a world where headlines often warn of automation replacing jobs and AI outpacing human creativity, it’s easy for young professionals to feel uncertain about their place in the future.
But this summer, a group of SAS interns proved that technology can be a tool for good. Through a data for good initiative supporting Urban Ministries of Wake County, they learned how to use data to help people.
The project was simple in concept but powerful in impact: interns organized a donation drive to create essential cold/cough, hygiene and dental kits for those in need. They split into teams focused on marketing, data capture and data visualization.
For the people Urban Ministries serves, these kits are often more than just supplies. They are a message that someone cares. They help meet immediate needs in moments of crisis, but they also restore a sense of dignity and hope. That aligns perfectly with our mission to feed, heal, and shelter those affected by poverty.
“Data and technology give us tools to serve with both compassion and strategy,” said Kennedy Jene, Communications Specialist, Urban Ministries of Wake County. “They help us tell the stories of our clients, measure the impact of our programs, and make thoughtful decisions that lead to lasting change.”
The project became more than a summer assignment. It was a demonstration of teamwork, innovation and how a new generation is applying technology to make a tangible impact.
Reframing technology: From fear to empowerment
For Alyx Pierrie, a psychology and nutrition major, the project was a chance to bridge her academic focus on wellness with the technical world of SAS.
“This was a great opportunity to combine what I’ve learned at SAS with my interest in well-being,” she said. “Seeing that a company as big as SAS would be so willing to help a small nonprofit organization was honestly really wholesome. It got me thinking about how companies can use their resources for global impact.”
Everyone had the same data, but we all saw different stories in it. That decision-making process was really interesting and showed how much creativity goes into data work. Hanwen Zhang
That sentiment echoed across the cohort. Matthew Kern, who worked on the marketing team, described the experience as eye-opening.
“I love getting involved in the community,” he said. “We got the opportunity to lead teams and be part of something meaningful. It was cool to see how technology could match beautifully with the human, personalized aspect of marketing.”
Interns used an Amazon wish list that became a central tool for accessibility, allowing remote interns like Pierrie to contribute meaningfully.
“People could see exactly what was needed and donate with a few clicks,” she explained. “It made the process inclusive and efficient.”
The data capture team took it further, using donation data to update the list in real time and reflect changing needs.
Data as a lens, not just a tool
On the data visualization team, interns used SAS® Viya® to understand donation patterns and community needs.
Hanwen Zhang, an intern on the team, noted the creative challenge of interpreting shared data in unique ways. “Everyone had the same data, but we all saw different stories in it,” she said. “That decision-making process was really interesting and showed how much creativity goes into data work.”
As the project unfolded, those same questions of interpretation extended to larger debates about technology’s impact on their future. “My professors were always saying, ‘Don’t use AI – it’s bad,’” said Pierrie.
But seeing AI used to support a nonprofit shifted that perspective. Instead of being something to fear, technology became a way to help organizations like Urban Ministries of Wake County serve more people.
Caleb Petterson, a computer science major, shared a more technical perspective. “AI isn’t close to replacing human ability,” he said. “The real danger is automation displacing jobs. But SAS changed my perspective by showing how ethical tech can be used for good.”
That shift in mindset was a recurring theme among the group. For Zhang, it even reframed the meaning of service. “It opened my eyes to a different type of volunteering – donating your skills,” they said. “It also reinforced my desire to work for a company that supports these kinds of initiatives.”
Learning how to lead through experiences
With more than 100 interns involved, collaboration itself became a test. Large teams were challenged to make everyone feel included and some interns hesitated to contribute.
“It was hard to get contributions because people felt like others would have the same ideas,” Zhang said. “But we learned to collaborate and find ways to make space for everyone.”
Sebine Jacobson knows the project from both sides – previously as an intern, now as a project mentor and full-time employee. She views the challenge as part of the growth process.
“Being an intern helped me become a better mentor,” she said. “I learned how to guide a team and delegate effectively. It’s been amazing to see how each cohort adapts the project in their own creative way.”
Jacobson creatively addressed this challenge. “Having different options for interns helped motivate them,” she said. “Some of them focused on visualizing item data, others on census data. Giving them choices helped them stay engaged.”
She also reflected on how Gen Z approaches technology. “Young people today view learning tech as a must, not a maybe,” she said. “They use it as an aid, not a crutch. And they’re developing critical thinking skills to know when AI is helpful – and when it’s not.”
AI is your project companion. But you’re great too. Use AI to guide you – not define you. Alyx Pierrie
Critical thinking was evident in how interns tackled challenges. From data inconsistencies to time constraints, they adapted quickly. Petterson described the difficulty of merging donation data with census data.
“They didn’t share the same fields, so I had to use separate plots to create inferences,” he said. “It wasn’t perfect, but it taught me a lot about working with real-world data.”
Beyond technical skills, the project emphasized the importance of communication, collaboration and empathy.
“Even if we’re working with AI, we still need to communicate effectively with our teams,” Jacobson said. “That’s a skill that applies across every role – from developer to sales.”
Discovering purpose through technology
By the end of the summer, the drive had delivered more than 400 kits across Wake County. It became a rewarding experience: everyone contributing their skills to come together to serve a community in need.
As the interns reflected on their experience with the technology needed for this project, one theme stood out: optimism. In a time when technology often feels overwhelming, they found hope in using it to help others.
“AI is your project companion,” said Pierrie. “But you’re great too. Use AI to guide you – not define you.”
Kern summed it up perfectly: “SAS didn’t just tell us why it’s different. They let us discover it for ourselves. This project showed us that when you match technology with human values, you can do something truly meaningful.”
For a generation stepping into a world shaped by rapid technological change, the lesson is clear: collaboration, empathy and shared purpose turn data into impact far greater than any one individual could achieve alone.
