Amanda Huber (UMD ‘17), may have majored in geology, but it is her work with GIS (geographic information science) that is making waves. ESRI, the world’s leader in GIS software recently featured Huber’s work on its twitter feed, which has since been re-tweeted throughout the GIS community. Amanda’s ArcGIS Online Story Map, an online platform that allows users to integrate text, images, and multimedia content based on spatial characteristics, was highlighted by the company because it illustrated a novel way for recent graduates to showcase their work for potential employers. As Amanda noted, “ArcGIS online...is revolutionizing GIS. It is promoting collaboration across many different disciplines, providing information that otherwise would not be accessible, and raising awareness about causes around the world.”
Amanda’s story map features not only work that was completed as a student in the GIS Program and when she worked with the Geographic Analysis Center, but also her recent 6 month internship with the City of Brooklyn Park. While working for the city she developed online applications to find restaurants and retail locations within Brooklyn Park, those that provided information about city infrastructure and utilities including curbside pickup of recycling and refuse, as well as crime statistics and recreational opportunities within the city. Amanda credits the GIS Program with jump-starting her career, “My past few positions have been working with GIS and it's been the best thing I could have ever done. I am looking forward to expanding on my current knowledge and exploring new horizons in my career. My dream is to someday integrate my passion for Geology and GIS together. I am thrilled to see what the future holds!”
When asked to provide some advice for students who may be considering a degree or certificate in GIS, Amanda had this to say, “find classes that interest and challenge you, use your professors as resources, look at other people’s work for new ideas, and be certain to network with other GIS professionals to learn about how they do their jobs and what job and internship opportunities are available.”