Rafael Karcz
Portfolio

Intro

Welcome to my corner of the digital world. I'm Rafael Karcz, a globe-trotter and data enthusiast with a colorful academic journey in International Management and Business Economics.

My toolkit is a mix of programming skills in Python, SQL, and Bash complemented by a proficiency in essential technologies and methodologies like Git, OOP, Linux, and Agile, among others. In my work I've focused on using data to improve business processes and decision-making. My professional journey reflects a commitment to leveraging technology to solve real-world problems efficiently. Or at the very least that is what I am trying to do.

But who am I beyond my professional life? An adventurer at heart. My travels took me from the bustling streets of Central America to the serene landscapes of New Zealand, and currently to Japan. Globetrotting has taught me the value of adaptability and the beauty of diverse cultures. These experiences fuel my vision for a better future.

Whether it's automating workflows to save hours of work or diving deep into data analytics to uncover insights, my goal is to blend my love for data with my passion for making a difference.

If you're intrigued by the intersection of data analytics and global impact, or if you simply want to reach out and grab a coffee together, let's connect and explore what we can achieve together.

Curriculum Vitae

• Generic CV (English)
• Generic CV (German)

Projects

Python

Investor Calculator

The Investor Calculator project is a Python-based tool for managing and analyzing company financial data. Leveraging SQLAlchemy for database operations, this CLI tool allows users to create, read, update, and delete records while calculating key financial metrics. This project showcases my proficiency in database management, financial data analysis, and Python development. The code is available for review and collaboration here on GitHub.

Learning Tracker

The Article Scraper project retrieves and saves articles from a webpage, filtering them based on user input. Using Python libraries like BeautifulSoup and requests, I built a tool that automates web scraping and organizes files efficiently. This project demonstrates my ability to work with web scraping and file management. The project is available for review and collaboration here on GitHub.

Article Scraper

The Article Scraper project retrieves and saves articles from a webpage, filtering them based on user input. Using Python libraries like BeautifulSoup and requests, I built a tool that automates web scraping and organizes files efficiently. This project demonstrates my ability to work with web scraping and file management. The project is available for review and collaboration here on GitHub.

Bill Splitter

This Bill Splitter project splits expenses among friends, with an optional feature to randomly exempt one friend from paying. It demonstrates skills in handling user input, validating data, and implementing control flow in Python. This project showcases my expertise in solving practical problems using Python. You can find the complete project here on GitHub.

Loan Calculator

In this Python-based Loan Calculator project, I developed a tool that calculates monthly and differentiated loan payments. This project focuses on user input handling, error checking, and implementing financial formulas. It showcases my ability to build user-friendly command-line applications and implement real-world financial calculations. The complete project is available for review and collaboration here on GitHub.

Crypto API with Python

In this Cryptocurrency Data Collection and Visualization project, I utilized Jupyter Lab to fetch and visualize cryptocurrency data from the CoinMarketCap API. This project involved data collection, manipulation, and visualization using Python libraries such as Pandas, Matplotlib, and Seaborn. It showcases my ability to work with APIs, handle large datasets, and create insightful visualizations. The complete project is available for review and collaboration here on GitHub.

Python Correlation Analysis

In the Python Correlation Analysis project, I worked in jupyter lab to explore and analyze the movies.csv dataset, focusing on uncovering correlations between various film industry metrics. This project enhanced my skills in data manipulation, visualization, and statistical analysis using libraries like Pandas and Matplotlib. It also serves as an educational tool for others keen on learning data science techniques or exploring film industry trends. The entire project is openly available for review and collaboration here on GitHub.

Amazon Web Scraper

The Amazon Web Scraper Project is a Python script designed in Jupyter Lab to monitor Amazon product prices, utilizing BeautifulSoup for data extraction. It logs details into a CSV and alerts users via email when prices drop below a set threshold. This tool is useful for snagging deals and enhances my web scraping skills. The project is available for review and collaboration here on GitHub.

SQL

SQL Data Cleaning

In the Data Cleaning SQL project for the NashvilleHousing dataset, I engineered SQL scripts aimed at refining and optimizing data structures and quality, which sharpened my database management skills. This initiative not only advanced my proficiency in SQL operations and data standardization but can also serve as a versatile resource for others interested in data processing enhancements. The complete project is publicly accessible here on GitHub, for collaboration and further development.

COVID Data Exploration

In my COVID-19 Data Exploration with SQL project, I crafted a suite of SQL scripts to dissect and analyze global data on COVID-19, focusing on critical metrics like death rates and vaccine distribution. Through this endeavor I was able to not only advanced my SQL capabilities in handling complex queries and data structures but I was also able analytically and critically view and understanding the pandemic's dynamics. This project, combining educational insights with practical data analysis, is publicly available here on GitHub to encourage ongoing research and collaborative development.

SQL Expense Tracker

In my Expense Tracker Project, I developed a SQL-based tool for personal finance management, enhancing my skills in database design, CRUD operations, and data analysis. This project served me as both a practical tool for tracking financial transactions and an educational resource, deepening my understanding of SQL through hands-on application and analysis of personal expense and income patterns. This project is publicly available here on GitHub for reuse and collaboration.

Tableau

Company Sales Analysis

In this Tableau project, I analyzed publicly available sales data from a company, creating a dynamic and interactive dashboard. Key features include total sales, profit, and quantity indicators with trend arrows and sparklines comparing the current year to the previous year. A dual bar chart compares sales and profits by subcategory, highlighting performance with colored bars and dots for declines. The dashboard also includes sales and profit trends over time with average lines and dynamic color coding. Explore the interactive dashboard here on Tableau Public.

Tableau Covid Analysis

In the "COVID-19 Global Analysis" Tableau dashboard, I visualize key pandemic metrics like total cases and death rates worldwide. The dashboard features a bar chart of deaths per continent, a color-coded infection rate map, and a line chart with monthly infection percentages and forecasts up to October 2021. Explore the interactive and clear visualizations here on Tableau Public to view COVID-19's trends globally.

Tableau Airbnb Analysis

In this Tableau project, I analyzed Airbnb's 2016 pricing data for Seattle, focusing on the average price per bedroom and the influence of location on pricing. The analysis includes a bar chart of prices by bedroom number, a map and bar chart detailing average prices by zip code, and a line chart tracking weekly revenue trends throughout the year. With this project I solidified my ability to extract actionable insights from complex datasets and visually communicate trends and patterns in the hospitality market. This project is publicly available here on Tableau Public.

BASH

Bash True or False Game

This project was all about creating a Bash script-based True or False Game that offers an engaging way to test knowledge with dynamically fetched true or false questions. The game features real-time question fetching from a local API, secure user authentication, score tracking, and encouragement messages, all wrapped in a simple user interface. It's designed for easy installation and usage. This project is publicly available here on GitHub for reuse and collaboration.

Bash Hyper Commander

I created the Hyper Commander project to have a user-friendly Bash utility available; sort of like a co-pilot while working in the terminal. The Hyper Commander is designed to streamline file and system operations through an intuitive command-line interface. It's tailored for users of all skill levels and offers a menu-driven approach to accessing operating system information, managing user details, and handling file operations such as deletion, renaming, and permission changes. You can download or view more information about this project here on GitHub.

Bash Enigma

Enigma is a Bash script I developed, which focuses on streamlining file management with the added benefit of AES-256 encryption for security. It allows users to create, read, encrypt, and decrypt text files through a user-friendly menu interface, incorporating input validation for error prevention and consistency. You can find out more on how to collaborate or download Enigma here on GitHub.

Excel

Bicycle Market Analysis

In the Bicycle Market Analysis project, I utilized Excel 2016 to cleanse and organize a detailed sales dataset, crafting an interactive dashboard that illustrates buying trends across demographics. My work includes advanced VLOOKUP queries and dynamic visualizations, emphasizing my ability to distill complex information into accessible and actionable insights. This project showcases robust analytical techniques through Excel’s powerful features. View the dashboard, the analysis, and the lookup queries here on GitHub.

OTHER

The Ad-Block Challenge

In my capstone project at the Wharton School, I developed a comprehensive strategy to counteract the impact of ad-blocking on digital advertising revenues for companies like Google and Yahoo. I focused on user-friendly ad formats and relevance through business analytics. This project sharpened my ability to analyze data, innovate based on insights, and adapt strategies dynamically. The result showcases my proficiency in addressing contemporary digital challenges with data-driven solutions. You can view this project here.

Kudos & Merits

Welcome to my Kudos & Credentials page! Here you can dive into a collection of shout-outs and words of cheer from those I've collaborated with. Each piece of praise is a snapshot of a shared adventure in problem-solving and each credential signifies progress. I hope that browsing this section will offer you a better understanding of my person.

Kudos

• English: Kudos from the Datamics GmbH
• German: Kudos von der Datamics GmbH

While this section is still short and sparse, I am sure it will grow as I go on with life.

Merits

Professional Certifications

• Jetbrains certified: Introduction to Python
• Data Analytics Bootcamp (Alex the Analyst)
• Business Analytics Specialization (The Wharton School)
• Jetbrains certified: Introduction to SQL
• Jetbrains certified: Introduction to Command Line and Unix Shell
• Inferential Statistics (The University of Amsterdam)
• Learning How to Learn
• Basic Statistics (The University of Amsterdam)
• Qualitative Research Methods (The University of Amsterdam)
• Quantitative Methods (The University of Amsterdam)

Academic Diplomas

• Academic Transcript (Tokyo International University)
• Certificate (Tokyo International University)
• Certificate of English as Medium of Instruction (Tokyo International University)
• Certificate of Enrollment Period (Tokyo International University)
• Academic Transcript (Macromedia University Munich)
• Course Report (EF)
• Certificate (EF – Japanese)

Currently Pursuing

• Python Developer Course - Jetbrains
• AWS Fundamentals Specialization - Coursera

Contact

Email

rafael.karcz [at] gmail.com

Phone

+81 80 5803 8623

Address

Shiki, Saitama, 353-0002, Japan

Social

• LinkedIn
• GitHub

Elements

i = 0;

while (!deck.isInOrder()) {
    print 'Iteration ' + i;
    deck.shuffle();
    i++;
}

print 'It took ' + i + ' iterations to sort the deck.';