2025 STAFF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE
Introduction to Microsoft’s Power BI
In this beginner-friendly Microsoft Power BI workshop, participants will learn about the business and technical needs for building dashboards to support a self-service approach across PSO. Presenters will lead an interactive session with open discussion, helping participants understand the best ways to organize, visualize and analyze data using Power BI.
Learning Objectives:
- Critique dashboard purposes and audiences
- Identify best practices for extracting and transforming data from disparate sources
- Recall technical requirements and best practices in building dashboards
Presenters:
Scott King, Scientific Computing Professional Specialist, Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia
Scott King joined the Institute of Government in 2019 as a scientific computing professional associate with the State Services and Decision Support Division. Prior to joining the Institute of Government, he worked with Nelnet as a data specialist and consulted as a data scientist with faculty at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Ethan Christmas, Scientific Computing Professional Specialist, Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia
As a data scientist, Ethan Christmas promotes the Institute of Government’s mission of outreach by working with government offices to solve problems through data analysis. Christmas uses statistical programming and business intelligence software to analyze problems, visualize what has been happening, and explore what may happen in the future. Christmas has been with PSO since 2022; prior to joining the Institute in 2024, he worked in development and donor relations at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia.
Session 1 Options
- Balancing Work and Home: How to Thrive
- Public Impact to Posts – Social Media Strategies to Tell Your Story
- Better Together: Boosting Team Communication through Self-Awareness and Feedback
- Managing Your Own Professional Development
- Microsoft Teams – Tips and Tricks
- Integrating AI and GenAI Solutions into Work Routines
- Introduction to Microsoft’s Power BI
- Using Data to Make a Difference
- Fundraising@PSO: An Overview and Guide to Being Involved
Session 2 Options
- Never Not Working: Why Our Always-On Culture is Bad for Business and How to Fix It
- Making it Click: How to See and Take Great Photos
- Conversations that Count: Thriving Through Workplace Tension
- Retirement 101
- How Can I Get the Most Out of MS Excel?
- Integrating AI and GenAI Solutions into Work Routines
- Introduction to Microsoft’s Power BI
- Navigating Change in the Workplace
- Opportunities for Creative Engagement in PSO