"I’ve learned a lot while working with the ESRGC while doing both field and office work. It’s been my introduction to working in a professional context, and I was surprised by how much I’ve enjoyed it!"
Name: Michael Gingrich
Graduation date/ School: (Expected) Spring 2025/Salisbury University/ Bachelor's degree in Geography (Track: Human) with a Minor in History
Hometown: Medfield, Massachusetts
When did you first use GIS?
I first used GIS in my freshman year of college in GEOG 219, Map interpretation and analysis. Before that, I knew I wanted to pursue something in geography, but I was not sure what. However, when I first started using GIS, I immediately fell in love with the program and continued to pursue it.
What is something you wish everyone knew about GIS?
First would most likely be the fact of its existence. I cannot count how many times I’ve had to explain to relatives what exactly it is I learn in college, but other than that, it would have to be the full extent of what the program allows its user to do. The application itself can be used to visualize and analyze any spatial data fed into it, allowing the user to look at data sets in entirely new context and find solutions to different problems in a variety of angles that couldn’t be examined with the use of GIS.
What interested you in working with the ESRGC?
I learned about the ESRGC from my professors at Salisbury University and found its mission statement of helping an area that previously lacked GIS support to be both intriguing and valuable. Then there was the fact that before working with the ESRGC, I’d never worked with GIS outside of a classroom context and wanted to apply what I’d learned to both broaden my knowledge of the software and help contribute to work being done to benefit local communities. So when members of the ESRGC came into my geography classroom looking for interns, I excitedly applied that following night.
While working with the ESRGC what surprised you most or what is something that you learned from it?:
I’ve learned a lot while working with the ESRGC while doing both field and office work. It’s been my introduction to working in a professional context, and I was surprised by how much I’ve enjoyed it! Beforehand, my mental view of working with GIS was rather daunting, but the people at the ESRGC have been extremely kind and understanding. Due to this, working with the program has become a lot less intimidating, and I’ve come to really enjoy the work I’ve been doing here.
Dream job? (doesn’t have to be GIS/ESRGC related)
I’ve never really had an exact dream job ever since I didn’t go to college to pursue my childhood dream of paleontology. Though I have to say I did go to college to pursue geography from start to finish without wavering because of another childhood love of maps and miniature models, the kind you see in museums, so I think I’d be pretty happy in any field relating to geography.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
When I’m not spending my time with my friends either just hanging out or watching shows, I like to read and write, put together miniature models, and play a few video games. Though I wouldn’t consider myself a very outdoorsy person, I do love to hike and ski when the temperature outside allows me to do one or the other.
Do you have a LinkedIn ?
The Eastern Shore Regional GIS Cooperative (ESRGC) at Salisbury University regularly features a current or former intern for our Intern Spotlight. The ESRGC provides geographic information system (GIS) technology, data, technical support, and training to governments, businesses, and non-profit organizations in Maryland and across the Mid-Atlantic. Since launching in 2004, the ESRGC has provided valuable paid internships to hundreds of Salisbury University students, allowing them to learn real-world skills that prepare them for a direct transition to the workforce. ESRGC internships range from analyzing databases for local governments to field verifying broadband access in rural areas, and everything in between. For more information on how your organization could leverage the advantage of this inexpensive, highly-motivated, technical GIS intern, or how to apply for an internship, please contact Lauren McDermott.