Major: Geography
Minor: Global Studies
Hometown: Lincoln, NE
Year at UNL: 4th Year
Favorite book and why
The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living. It is a book I read every single morning. This book has translations from philosophers such as Seneca, Marcus Aurelius, and Seneca. Holiday offers his commentary, giving his thoughts and advice on how to live a life of control, courage, virtue, and love. These teachings are valuable, and I strive to apply these lessons to become more mindful and resilient.
Favorite movie and why
Fire of Love (2022). This is a wonderful National Geographic documentary film. It is about two scientists who seem to love nothing but volcanoes and each other. It is such a cool film, with archived footage from the 70s through 90s that follows their experiences as volcanologists. It is so visually stunning, and it is incredible witnessing these two scientists devote their lives to each other and their studies. The way they push the boundaries of their field and the passion they hold when doing so makes it such a great film to watch. Even the visuals and cinematography alone make it worth watching.
Why Geography?
I was undeclared for my first few semesters at UNL, so I sort of stumbled into the geography program. I initially chose this major because I have always enjoyed and appreciated the Earth, and I think maps are super cool. I love to travel and spend as much time camping and backpacking as possible, and the geography classes I took in high school were some of my favorites. I am so glad I chose geography, as I discovered GIS and love it! I then picked up Global Studies as a minor because I took a class early on here at UNL, and it was fascinating to me. I think learning about a variety of cultures and languages is important for everyone.
Environmental Justice (GEOG403) was one of my favorites, as it gave me a whole new understanding of environmentally discriminatory practices that are happening today. There were so many subjects that I had not learned about in other academic settings, specifically related to racism and power structures. I think everyone should take the time to recognize the variety of struggles different groups may be experiencing. I have also really enjoyed all of the GIS classes I have taken so far at UNL, and I had a good time working on my final projects and learning more about GIS applications while getting practical experience with ArcGIS Pro.
Geography is a great major to have because it is very interdisciplinary. It is hard to find a concept or idea that cannot be somehow related to geography. We interact with the world around us constantly and understanding the different links between anything and everything can help us appreciate the world on a deeper level. Using GIS can especially help visualize, analyze, and communicate these interactions, which is the part I have come to love the most about geography. Picking this major can certainly set you up for success in a wide variety of fields.
Extracurricular Experiences
I have an internship right now as a GIS Analyst Intern with the Nebraska Department of Transportation. It has given me valuable professional experience while using GIS as a part of the workforce. I think everyone should try to get an internship just to get the chance to apply skills from the classroom to the real world. I've been able to use my GIS skills from UNL classes and have loved working with NDOT! I have also spent a lot of time on campus playing soccer, which has been a fun way of staying active and meeting new people.
Post-Graduation Plans
I plan to pursue a career using GIS, likely as a GIS Analyst, although I do not have any specific post-grad plans set up.
