When I applied to the MGIST program, I had a strong interest in the relationship between people, place, and public health. I brought a background in global health and environmental justice, along with early exposure to GIS through a foundational course I took as an undergraduate. I understood GIS to be a powerful tool, and wanted to gain the technical skills to leverage its components in support of work that addresses environmental and social challenges.

Throughout the program, I built those skills and more. I developed working knowledge of Python, R, SQL, HTML, JavaScript, and Arcade, and gained experience applying them in a range of spatial analysis and database contexts. I also became more confident in advanced workflows like spatial modeling and remote sensing, learning to both execute and communicate complex processes. Further, I learned how to apply these solutions across varied environments, and to devise creative solutions to infrastructure constraints.

Beyond this, I also had the opportunity to explore disciplines beyond my primary research interests, practicing data procurement, user tool development, and cartographic and web communication for varied disciplines and users groups.

The time I’ve spent in the MGIST program has been pivotal in my career goals and breadth of ability to contextualize problems. My work as a teaching assistant in NCSU’s Center for Geospatial Analytics has only solidified these skills, as I’ve sought to provide thorough feedback to students and identify common threads where reinforcement of subject matter is necessary.

In the most general sense, my own goals after completing the MGIST program have remained largely the same; however, my vision for the design, implementation, and maintenance of the skills and tools required to meet these goals has only continued to grow.