Portfolio
Throughout my academic and professional career, I have held several positions with companies and local governments that have greatly contributed to my skills and abilities. These employers are listed below with details on my experience working in that particular environment.
Thoma Development Consultants, Cortland, NY
Title: GIS Specialist
Time Employed: August 2010 - May 2011
Job Description: After my summer internship with Thoma Development Consultants, I was asked to continue working at the firm part time to assist with various projects throughout the remainder of my graduate studies. My primary task was to provide GIS support through creating maps for grant applications and other projects, maintain and update GIS data, as well as obtaining new data for new client projects. When I was not working on mapping projects I managed a project to recycle some of the firm's older unused computer equipment and donate it to a child care organization. I also inventoried the collection of plans Thoma Development keeps for research purposes by setting up a spreadsheet on the company's server that can be easily updated as new plans are added. For my exit project from the Cornell city and regional planning program, I worked with the consultants in developing a needs assessment process that can be completed at a low cost to clients.
Examples of Work: Cortland Comprehensive Plan Maps, Port Dickinson 2010 Parks Grant Application
Thoma Development Consultants, Cortland, NY
Title: Summer Intern
Time Employed: Summer 2010
Job Description: During my graduate school summer at Cornell, I had the opportunity to intern at Thoma Development Consultants in Cortland, New York. From May to August of 2010 I gained a great deal of experience in planning from a private business perspective. At the time of my internship, the City of Cortland had hired Thoma Development to write their new comprehensive plan. My role in the process of developing the new plan was primarily in creating the maps used in the document. I also attended various board and public comment sessions and offered suggestions on the plan's content. Another project I took on during my internship was assisting with grant applications for the firm's client community, the Village of Port Dickinson. I was given the task of writing the narrative of the Village's parks grant and assisted a senior consultant in a public meeting. At the conclusion of my summer internship, I was asked to continue working part time until I graduated.
Example of Work: Needs Assessment Process
North Wales Water Authority, North Wales, PA
Title: GIS Intern
Time Employed: Summer 2008, Summer 2009
Job Description: Between my junior and senior years at Penn State, I was offered an internship opportunity at the North Wales Water Authority (NWWA) performing GIS duties. At the time, the water authority was updating their GIS database by gathering the locations of all customer water valves in the Borough. Using a metal detector type device, or a "wand" as employees referred to it, I located the valve and then dug it up to verify its location. I used mobile Trimble GPS unit to then gather the valve's coordinates and later confirmed their location using orthophotography. Other responsibilities of my employment included recording coordinates of newly installed infrastructure throughout the service area as well as the recently acquired Borough sewer system. In addition, I created maps for employees as requested.
Bethlehem Planning Department, Bethlehem, PA
Title: Community and Economic Development Intern
Time Employed: Summer 2007
Job Description: My first summer internship was with the City of Bethlehem's Planning Department where I gained a great understanding of what city planning is and how it is done. At the time of my internship, the Planning Department was updating the City's comprehensive plan. Another intern and I were charged with the task of verifying street addresses for the plan and also assisted the Department with site reviews. Additionally, I utilized the Department's GIS to make maps for other employees.