“ASU’s geography program taught me to think critically across disciplines and systems, providing a foundation that continues to shape how I approach complex real-world problems."
Chandler Schoch, GIS Analyst, BAE Systems, Inc.
BS Geography, 2019
Chandler is a GIS Analyst with BAE Systems supporting the U.S. Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center’s Sentinel Program Office at Hill Air Force Base in northern Utah. Her work focuses on large-scale suitability and network modeling to inform infrastructure planning and deployment decisions for the Sentinel ICBM weapon system. Prior to her current role in national defense, Chandler worked with the U.S. Department of the Interior, where she supported projects in post-wildfire rehabilitation, natural resource management, and land-use planning through mapping and spatial analysis. Drawing on her education and professional experience, Chandler approaches complex spatial challenges through an interdisciplinary, systems-thinking lens that integrates environmental, infrastructural, and analytical perspectives.
“Jump on opportunities that come your way. Whether it's a class, internship or career fair, it can shape the vision for your career path and lead to new connections that will expand your professional network.”
Marcela Mora-Yatko, Planning Consultant, Gilbert Blilie PLLC
BS Planning and BA Sustainability, GIS Certificate, 2015
Marcela is a planning consultant at Gilbert Billie PLLC, a law firm specializing in zoning regulation and real estate development. In her role, she works with property owners, developers and municipal planners across multiple jurisdictions in the Phoenix area to secure development entitlements. Marcela works on processes for rezonings, general plan amendments, site plan approvals, use permits, variances, and other necessary entitlements for development. Marcela previously worked at a planning and engineering consulting firm, Matrix Design Group. She started her professional experience with internships at the City of Phoenix while pursuing her degrees at ASU.
“What I love about my job is that I get to utilize my GIS skills every day while also learning about how the power grid works. I’ve always been interested in energy and electricity and GIS has been the gateway for me to become a part of that industry.”
McKenzie Murphree, GIS Mapping Specialist, Arizona Public Service
BS GIS 2018
In her second year at ASU, McKenzie Murphree began a role as a GIS/Mapping Intern at a Phoenix-area renewable energy firm. This provided an excellent skill set for her current position as a mapper at APS, where she uses engineering drawings, county assessor maps, and survey notes to update and maintain the utility’s GIS database. Designers and engineers utilize the GIS team’s maps not only as a location tool but even more importantly, for the attributes associated with the features – from line voltages to conduit sizes – a key resource for them to figure out how to design the next project in that area.
“My advice to women pursuing STEM careers is to not limit yourself to just classwork. Find extracurricular programs that will help you in your career. And don’t limit yourself to other people’s opinions of what they think you can accomplish.”
Wendy Nessl, Meteorologist, RGNext
BS Geography (Meteorology/Climatology), 2017
In her job of providing weather support for companies that launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida, Wendy Nessl has played a role in seeing that several rockets successfully launched their payloads into orbit -- including SpaceX’s Tesla sport car launch in Spring 2018. While studying meteorology at ASU, as part of a team of undergraduates, Wendy designed the science objective for a NASA CubeSat mission to study urban heat islands using infrared satellite imagery and GIS. She also conducted NASA-funded research in which she identified temperature variations between local climate zones.
"My experiences and education at ASU have prepared me to lead my team and work in an interdisciplinary, small-town local government."
Andrew Rogge, Community Development Director, City of Sheridan, CO
BS Planning 2016
As a Community Development Director, Andrew oversees the current planning, long-range planning, and building department functions of the City of Sheridan, in metro Denver. His small-but-nimble team has led Sheridan through the development of a 149-unit affordable housing complex, acquisition of property and design for a new creekside park, and the creation of the city's first-ever sustainability plan. The variety of projects available in a small-town, urban environment makes every day a new and exciting challenge.
“The best part of my job is that I get to be as creative as I want when creating my maps and my applications.”
Madison Halvorson, Enterprise GIS Solutions Analyst, City of San Antonio
BS GIS and BS Planning, 2018
Madison Halvorson works for the City of San Antonio in the IT Department as an Enterprise GIS Solutions Analyst. She creates custom web mapping applications for other city departments. Her work involves a lot of front end coding using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. She is also an active ESRI - ArcGIS Online user creating custom Story Maps as well as using built-in applications -- Web App Builder, Operation Dashboards and many more.
“Geography is such a vast subject that finding a focus is helpful. Interning is a great way to do this as it allows you to experience the reality of what a particular job is like.”
Claire and Paige Girardi, GIS Technicians, contractors for Apple
BS Geography, 2018
Hired as contractors for Apple soon after completing their bachelors’ degrees, sisters Claire and Paige Girardi are helping build and grow Apple’s navigation app. Their coursework as ASU Online students, along with an internship they set up near their small community in California’s Central Valley, provided a foundation to begin professional employment in GIS.
“I love working as a development planner for the National Park Service. It gives me the ability to address the urban and natural interface necessary to help communities achieve their goals."
Brandon Stocksdale, Community Planner, National Park Service
MUEP 2014
Brandon works in Orem, Utah, as part of the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program team. By partnering with community groups, nonprofit organizations, tribes, and state and local governments, this program enables communities to conserve and protect more than 50,000 acres of parkland, wildlife habitat, and open space each year. Brandon specializes in developing urban-natural boundary protection solutions for the program and designing community conservation opportunities and outdoor recreation projects.
“Whatever your background is, GIS is applicable.”
George Green, Program Manager, Esri
MAS-GIS 2013
Esri, developers of ArcGIS and related mapping and analytical software, regularly recruits from ASU’s MAS-GIS program, and there’s a cohort of ASU alums at the company’s headquarters in Redlands, CA. George Green began for his first position at Esri even before he completed his Master’s degree, and after two years was promoted to a program manager position within the company. Describing his MAS-GIS professors and the classroom environment, Green said, “They brought experience to the room, and everyone was excited about what they are doing.”
“I love my current position because every day brings a new challenge. I’m able to see growth while being humbled with each project. Our team gets to start at a conceptual level, develop and design plans, get contractors to bid on the plans we created then make the plan set come to life.”
Lucy Aubrecht, Technology Specialist (Aviation), Michael Baker International
BS Geography (Meteorology/Climatology), MAS-GIS 2014
Lucy Aubrecht became interested in GIS while working towards her undergraduate degree in meteorology. Choosing to carry out an MAS-GIS degree, she knew she’d like to work in the Pittsburgh area, so focused her MAS-GIS capstone projecton developing a flash flood potential index within the area covered by the Pittsburgh National Weather Service. Now in Pittsburgh working with a nationwide consulting company, she’s developed expertise in designing airports, with her responsibilities ranging from master plans to surveying to mobile and aerial LiDAR.
"My time at ASU not only deepened my understanding of urban planning principles but also instilled a commitment to public service and community impact, which continues to drive my professional journey."
Scott Lau, Emergency Functions Branch Chief, Caltrans
BSP Urban Planning, 2017
My education at ASU’s School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning provided the foundation for my career in urban planning and transportation. While pursuing my degree as an online student, I worked for the California Department of Housing and Community Development, which allowed me to immediately apply the concepts I was learning in real-world scenarios. After graduating, I began my career as a Transportation Planner with Caltrans at the local office in Fresno, where I reviewed development proposals, managed grants, and utilized the GIS skills I acquired at ASU. The comprehensive education I received was pivotal in preparing me for these responsibilities. Today, I serve as the Emergency Functions Branch Chief at Caltrans Headquarters, where I oversee statewide emergency response efforts.
“My current position challenges me to find solutions to financial, political, and cultural barriers and applies a multitude of the principles that I studied at ASU."
Lynn Coppedge, Sustainability Planner, City of Lakewood, CO
BSP 2013, MUEP 2014 (4+1)
Working as a sustainability planner for the City of Lakewood, Lynn develops creative programs and outreach events to help make Lakewood a better place to live. Coppedge discovered the 4+1 program while pursuing a double major in urban planning and sustainability. She cites several key experiences that allowed her to make quick strides in her chosen field – the mentorship program that pairs planning students with professional planners, her internship, and the capstone project she completed in her last semester.