Alumni Spotlight-Brian Engelmann | CGIS l Center for Geospatial Information Science l University of Maryland

The MS program is proud to highlight our 2019 MS GIS graduate, Brian Engelmann as our latest Alumni Spotlight student

Name: Brian Engelmann

Year of graduation: 2019

Current employment status: Employed Full time

Employer: Prince William County Government

Position: Demographer

What is a recent project that you have worked on that you have drawn on skills from the MS program?

We receive requests such as one from our Social Services division to map all types of public assistance recipients in the County. We used cluster analysis and spatial autocorrelation to assist with this process and provide more useful visuals beyond just points on a map.

How have the skills you have learned in the MS program helped you progress in your career?

I completed coursework for the MS program during my first three years at Prince William County. I previously worked in academia and didn’t have much use for GIS software. With an existing baseline knowledge of GIS, the MS program took my skill sets to the next level. I’m able to better understand how to harness the power of GIS for more meaningful demographic data analysis, create tools that speed up population estimate processes, and harness ArcGIS Online apps for projects and our webpages. These skills, coupled with project management and web development skills, have allowed me to substantiate the need for extra staff and put plans on the table to expand Prince William demographics next fiscal year, possibly even beyond demographics and into a broader data-driven decision making team for local government.

What drew you to the MS GIS program at Maryland?

I pursued the MS GIS program at Maryland for a few reasons. My previous job was located at University of Maryland and I loved the campus community and staff. Second, I read great things about the program’s faculty, coursework, and reputation – which aligned with my interests. Lastly, the ability to complete coursework remotely and part-time was a must as an established professional with a full-time job.

What advice can you give current and prospective students about the MS program?

Having gone through a rigorous Ph.D. program in Urban Studies prior to the MS program, I’m familiar with balancing coursework with a dissertation. That being said, it’s never too early to think about your capstone, no matter how far away it may seem. When mulling your capstone, consider your own situation and interests. Similar to choosing coursework that captures your interest and may advance your career, also formulate a capstone that will advance your career. If you are coming directly from a bachelor’s degree, think about where you want to be in the GIS industry - look at the jobs and job descriptions out there that interest you and read up on the field – then, work toward a capstone that may capture the interest of those potential employers. Ultimately, if the end goal is employment in the GIS industry, work on a capstone that not only interests you, but fills a gap in the research and demonstrates GIS skills related to the sector of employment you wish to enter. For current professionals in the program, I would highly recommend completing coursework and a capstone that you can directly apply to your current position and would play a role in bolstering your career mobility within or outside of your current organization.

What recommendations would you make to current students for career and academic success after graduation?

The GIS field is advancing, expanding, and the Washington D.C. area is excellent for those that wish to work in this industry. With this in mind, there are many GIS exclusive jobs and probably just as many that require GIS work in tandem with other tasks such as data analysis and reporting, technical writing and data analytics, and specialized skillsets in programming, software development, and advanced statistical analysis. If you are still unsure of a GIS specialization, being well-rounded will allow you to expand a job search beyond GIS-exclusive roles. In other words, the skills you gain in the MS program can apply to many career options and will allow you to gain two to three years of experience in one place and advance rather quickly within or outside of your employer once you have a clearer understanding of your interests. However, if you find yourself more intensely interested in the 1) software development/ programming or 2) advanced statistical analysis sides of GIS, you may want to delve almost exclusively into those areas to maximize those skillsets. There are many jobs out there with great compensation that focus on one or both of these specializations.

What are some of your hobbies/interests?

I am a relatively new father and enjoy spending time with my family outside of work. I am a lifelong fan of city building simulation games, gardening, and I enjoy resistance training to keep my mind clear, focused, and motivated. I’m also intrigued by crypto and NFTs and am looking to take a deeper dive into this world. It would be interesting to find any potential connections between cryptocurrency and GIS as well as using GIS for NFT creation and minting.

Anything else you'd like to add?

Feel free to connect with me anytime on the following platforms. I’d be happy to chat! Good luck!

Twitter: @BrianEngels

Thanks Brian! We sincerely appreciate your insight. All the best to you for the future!