Things I learned working at Data Orchard

Libby Harkins

I started working at Data Orchard in January 2022. This September, I moved to Belgium to study a Master’s and left my full-time role at Data Orchard. Since then, I’ve been reflecting on what I learned in my role. 

When I joined Data Orchard, I had graduated not long before and had been working full time as a waitress. Data Orchard was my first experience of the nonprofit data sector and has shaped much of how I think and work. To condense everything I’ve learned would be impossible, but here are some of my highlights:

Having a say and being part of conversations is important

I remember the first Annual General Meeting (AGM) and business planning meetings I went to. I was surprised to be involved in strategic-level thinking and planning. I felt so full of energy and motivation afterwards. I was part of the conversations that decided why and how we do our work. This renewed my sense of purpose and belief in what I was doing day-to-day. It also helped me to understand why I was tasked with certain things. I think this is especially important in consulting-type work, when you can at times feel a little removed from the impact of what you do.

Flexible working is worth the world

Literally! For the last few years I have really tried to reduce my flight travel. Working remotely has offered me the ability to travel slower, which has allowed me to continue the things I enjoy whilst keeping in line with my values. This is quite a specific example, but I do believe that being empowered to live a lifestyle you are proud of is great for your self esteem.

I worked from Lisbon for two and a half months and got to know the city a little. I learned that I don’t love routine, and being able to move about my time makes me feel like work is part of my life rather than my whole life.

Workshops are fun

I have loved hosting workshops. Data Orchard’s Nonprofit Datafolk Club was such a lovely space and reminded me that community comes in many different forms. Time to think and chat collectively is precious in our busy online world. 

There are a lot of people working very hard

I have been endlessly inspired by my colleagues and our clients. People making real change in their organisations. Being regularly reminded that others care and are trying helped me to nurture the part of me that cares and is trying. 

APIs

A bit of a random one. I remember our colleague Ben telling me what an API is – a way to get two computers to talk to each other. Little did I know the dorky joy they would bring me. At any opportunity, I would say “I bet I can get an API to do that!”. I was often carried away in the technical possibilities they bring – which leads to my next point.

End result first

I find it easy to get carried away in technicalities without really stepping back and thinking how this will look in the end, and what's the simplest way of getting there. I have learned that it’s fine to enjoy fancy solutions, but knowing when they are appropriate is important.

This goes for non-technical things too. Going back to our strategy days – the question was always “What do organisations need?” and then “How do we give it to them?”. Data Orchard is very much an impact-driven organisation. 

Rest is productive

Data Orchard is a small team, and the amount of work that gets done is huge. I truly believe that valuing rest and wellbeing is a large reason for this. There are the regular official ‘wellbeing walks’, but we also have a culture of acknowledging and prioritising ourselves and our down-time. 

Companies can care

I’ve learned that companies can care about their staff and their impact. Having integrity and acting on your values is important. I have high standards now for what I expect of my workplace (and any companies I interact with) – to be considerate and transparent environmentally and socially. I don’t think it’s too much to ask, because I’ve seen it in play at Data Orchard.

Leaving Data Orchard

I look forward to learning more about collecting, analysing and using data about the brain and behaviour in my Master’s in Psychology: Theory and Research. 

I am very lucky to have had the last four years at Data Orchard working with such fantastic colleagues and clients. And it’s great to leave knowing that the good work continues – which I will enthusiastically follow and hopefully even contribute to again in the future.