Undergraduate majors - Meteorology
- Geography (Geographic Information Science concentration)
Graduate program - Geographic Information Science (expected Dec. 2009)
Current position GIS administrator at Atwill-Hicks – a civil-engineering company specializing in land development and acquisition – located in Ann Arbor
How CMU prepared him for his career “The faculty in the department work hand-in-hand with the graduate students to put forth the best undergraduate courses possible and strive to stay at the forefront of the newest technologies and techniques in the field.”
One piece of advice “Be open to courses outside of your ideal career early on.”
Involvement as a CMU student CMU Student Chapter of the American Meteorological Society (president), Michigan Information and Technology Society (member), Traveled to Association of American of American Geographers meetings in Boston, San Francisco and Chicago
Biggest professional accomplishment “When I first started at Atwell-Hicks, the company had recently gone through several GIS professionals who were unable to show the company the full benefits and abilities that GIS can provide. Working hand-in-hand with my boss, we were able to slowly develop the GIS group into a team that people within the company could come to rely on and turn to for help on projects. In addition to helping with existing services the company already offered, we were able to start offering new services for the company that allowed them to expand into new markets.”
Why he studied at CMU for a science-related degree “I originally came to CMU to study meteorology. CMU fell into my price range, was the size I wanted, and I believe was/is the only school in the state that offers a meteorology program. Obviously I went on to not only major in meteorology but GIS as well. I am proud of both majors and learned a great deal from completing both.”