More than an internship: Joining a meaningful mission in Australia
Securing an internship in Australia has been a defining milestone in my academic and professional journey, and I am incredibly grateful to SP Jain School of Global Management for making this opportunity possible.
My introduction to Occuby
Through the university’s placement support, I was introduced to Occubuy — an innovative Australian firm focused on supporting renters on their journey towards becoming first-time homeowners. I had the privilege of interviewing with Amy and David who made the entire process both welcoming and encouraging. I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to Ms Mohini Murudkar whose guidance and efforts were instrumental in arranging this opportunity and helping me take this important step into the professional world.
Blending financial innovation with meaningful impact
Occubuy operates with a powerful mission: helping renters transition into home ownership through a rewards-based platform. The company partners with rental providers to offer incentives and rewards to tenants who consistently meet their rental commitments. These rewards can then be directed towards future home ownership goals, helping renters improve financial readiness and bringing the dream of owning a first home closer to reality. What makes Occubuy stand out is its ability to blend financial innovation with meaningful social impact — creating a system that benefits both renters and property owners while addressing one of Australia’s most pressing challenges: housing accessibility.
From a student to a professional
Joining Occubuy has been incredibly inspiring. The team environment is warm, collaborative, and highly supportive. From day one, I felt welcomed and encouraged to participate, share ideas, and actively contribute rather than simply observe. Everyone has been approachable and committed to nurturing learning, which made the transition from student life to professional work both smooth and exciting. This open culture has boosted my confidence and strengthened my ability to engage professionally in team discussions.
The impact that the BDS course made
We have already begun working on live projects, and it has been extremely rewarding to see my Bachelor of Data Science studies directly translate into practical solutions. At SP Jain Global, I developed a strong analytical foundation through coursework in data analytics, business intelligence, statistics, and data visualisation. These skills have become highly relevant at Occubuy where data plays a central role in understanding renter behaviour, tracking engagement patterns, optimising reward programs, and supporting business decisions. Being able to analyse datasets, identify trends, and generate actionable insights has allowed me to contribute meaningfully to projects aligned with Occubuy’s mission of improving renter outcomes.
Relying on more than technical skills
Beyond technical expertise, the SP Jain Global program has significantly enhanced my communication and teamwork skills. Regular presentations, collaborative group projects, and case-based discussions strengthened my confidence in expressing ideas clearly and professionally. During my internship, this has proven essential when explaining insights, asking thoughtful questions, and working closely with colleagues from different professional backgrounds. Communication has been just as important as analytics in ensuring that insights can be translated into business action.
Working in diverse environments
Another aspect that has stood out is working in diverse environments. SP Jain Global’s multicultural classroom prepared me well for the inclusive professional culture at Occubuy. Engaging with people from varied academic and cultural backgrounds has expanded my perspective and strengthened adaptability — an essential skill for modern workplaces. These experiences have fostered open-minded collaboration and sharpened interpersonal awareness, helping me grow both personally and professionally.
Making a tangible impact
This internship has bridged the gap between classroom learning and industry practice in the most powerful way. It has reinforced my passion for data science while developing vital professional skills such as time management, problem-solving, adaptability, and real-world communication. Most importantly, it has shown me how data can create tangible social impact — enabling organisations like Occubuy to help individuals move closer to achieving one of life’s most important milestones: owning a home.
Looking forward to what’s next
I am deeply thankful to SP Jain Global for providing such valuable industry exposure, to Ms Mohini Murudkar for facilitating this opportunity, and the entire Occubuy team — especially Amy and David — for welcoming me into their organisation. This experience has been incredibly rewarding, and I look forward to continuing to learn, contribute, and grow as I advance in my Bachelor of Data Science journey.
About the author:
Adi Abhijit Raje is our batch of 2023 Bachelor of Data Science student currently located in Sydney, Australia.
Recommended reads:
From curiosity to publication: My journey from a data science student to published researcher
How SP Jain Global prepares a data scientist for the AI-driven future
Why Every Industry Needs a Data Scientist – Not Just Tech Companies
