I was drawn to UMW upon learning about their highly respected Geography Department. Within my first few days at the University, Professor Gallagher sat down with me and we laid out my path for success. I wanted my focus to be Geographic Information Science (GIS), but little did I realize that majoring in Geography at UMW would immerse me in ALL things Earth, its atmosphere, and its population! I found myself learning about climate change with Professor Nicholas, experiencing a virtual road trip through the states with Professor Bowen, and understanding ocean currents and glacial striations with Professor Gallagher.
My understanding of GIS began with Professor Hanna, where we learned the framework of GIS and the basics of operating the relevant software. Professor Rizzo guided me through all things GIS, which included a pivotal moment that led me to where I am today. The Geography Department at UMW is second to none at setting up their students with internships and job opportunities. I had two different internships as a GIS Analyst in my last two years of college. The latter internship led to an extremely rewarding full-time job that enabled me to progress my career.
I founded my own company in March of 2018. I currently support the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Real Estate Division with their data analytics, reports, and visualizations. I have been lucky enough to experience consistent growth in my first two years of operation. I have hired two additional employees, and one is a recent graduate of the UMW Geography Department!
The UMW Geography Department gives each student the time, attention, and care that they require to succeed in the real world. There is a proven track record that speaks for itself!