I graduated from UWM in 2019 with a BA in Geography and a focus on GIS. I also was very interested in and took many of the urban geography and globalization courses.
What prompted you to study geography?
As cliche as it sounds, I simply really liked maps. Traveling the world is one of my greatest passions. I love studying a city that I will visit through Google Maps. Once I was in the cities, I admired the maps for transportation, such as subways and trains, which made it so much easier to navigate a foreign city. Maps made me feel more comfortable and excited. Once I took my first geography course, I realized how powerful the geographic approach was in studying a multitude of issues.
In what way does geography relate to your current work?
Today, I use GIS every day in my Telecom career. Using GIS, we are able to identify areas to build new networks, engineer those networks, and finally put the cables in the ground/air to serve new customers. It is satisfying to see the whole process from start to finish, all through GIS applications. I also get to train and mentor people on how to use GIS. It can be daunting at first, but many people end up loving the programs to complete their work.
What is your favorite memory of being a student in the Department of Geography?
It is difficult to choose one, since many of my classes were fun and thought provoking. However, I greatly enjoyed seeing the PhD students defend their dissertations. It truly showed me how dynamic the study of Geography really was since the topics ranged so greatly. I also loved learning about these students’ passions and how they used a geographic approach to solve issues.
Do you have any interests or hobbies that you’ve found useful for keeping a good work-life balance?
As I mentioned before, I love traveling and that will always be a necessity for me. Seeing new cities and remote places really opens your eyes, and you are able to simply disconnect from work. For the usual everyday, I love going on runs with my dog around Chicago. It feels like a mini vacation with my best friend.
For the geography students at UWM, any advice you would like to share with them?
Don’t be afraid to take classes you don’t think might interest you. I remember “having” to take a geography class my freshman year of college and dreading it because I hadn’t truly understood what it meant. It eventually changed my life. If you have found your passion, keep following it and keep learning. It’s what makes your academic and professional careers enjoyable (but remember to unplug and focus on other things in life!)