Spandana Nandamuri
Spandana Nandamuri
Name : Spandana Nandamuri
Email address : spandananandamuri1@gmail.com
Phone Number : 8106545622
1. Select the workshop batch you want to join from open slots below
20-24 Jan
2. What are your thoughts on how this residency could be of help to you or your organisations work?
I have been exploring a shift towards a career in tech for good, especially with organizations that directly impact the environment and the underserved communities. Moreover, I have noticed a lot of grassroots-level organizations seeking volunteers to help them build digital tools that can scale their work. As an early professional, I need a channel beyond my job and courses to equip me with the right skills to be able to jump in and lead such projects without needing much direction. I believe the Aikyam Residency provides the opportunity to learn and prepare for such projects. I really enjoy problem solving by collaborating with people from diverse backgrounds to take an idea from 0 to 1. I started my journey in tech for good with my first job, i.e., my current role which involves ideating and implementing digital tools for scoring, reporting, and data analysis of gender bonds and profit-for-purpose organizations based on impact practices. While this experience has been crucial in making me familiar with product development cycles, project coordination, user analysis, creative thinking, working across tech, design, and methodology teams, I would like to steer my career journey towards working on more nuanced products with direct impact. I strongly believe on-ground impact lies in the hands of grassroots-level and community-driven organizations, as opposed to ecosystem players like the one I work at currently. While I may have the soft skills that are required for this shift to build more grassroots-level products, I see a significant gap in my exposure to working in culturally nuanced and resource constrained contexts and my knowledge of resource-effective digital tools suitable for the non-profit space. Based on the unique projects Aikyam has led in the past, I am confident that the Aikyam residency would fill this gap by providing me the opportunity to gain direct exposure to approaching products that involve urgent and human challenges, and learning from the experiences of a network of changemakers who are actively driving tech for good. I am hoping this experience will clear my inhibitions of exploring more vulnerable and nuanced environments, where I can finally leverage my passion and skills for real impact. The Aikyam Residency would be a great hands-on introduction to digital tools and approaches for solving problems in a no/low cost approach and considering factors (eg. diverse behaviours, accessibility, inclusive content and design) that I cannot gain in a surface-level environment.
3. Organisation Details, if you are applying as NGO participant
No response
4. If you are a student or staff representing a grassroots NGO with limited budget, do you need a travel allowance to cover your travel costs?
No response
5. A working laptop will be required for the workshop and future online support.
Yes, I have a laptop
6. What is one thing that your friends & colleagues find valuable about you?
My colleagues enjoy working with me as I am a hands-on and reliable contributor, independent thinker, and a fast learner! My friends appreciate that I am a good listener and a fun-loving person!
7. Any other comments/questions?
I am also open to discussing other batches