Thursday, July 30, 2015

August Alumni of the Month: Rachel Berndtson

Name: Rachel Berndtson
Major: Geography
Minor: GIS
Current employment status:
·Employer: University of Maryland
·Position: Assistant Director of Academic Programs
Did you/do you currently go to graduate school? If so:
·School: University of Maryland
·Program: Geographical Sciences
·Degree: PhD
Why did you want to be a GEOG/GIS/ENSP major?
To learn about human environment interactions, and to gain the skills necessary to analyze a breadth of phenomena from a geographic perspective. Geographers aren’t limited in their context of study, but rather apply Geographic thinking, skills, and analysis to better understand a wide range of topics.
What internships or independent research did you do as a GEOG/GIS/ENSP major?
Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) internship with the Environmental Protection Agency;
Independent studies and honors research on coastal shoreline erosion with Dr. Michael Kearney.
What recommendations would you make to current GEOG/GIS/ENSP majors for career and academic success while they are still undergraduates?
Take advantage of all opportunities (internships, research, honors program) through which you can apply your geographic skills outside the controlled classroom environment. 
What recommendations would you make to current GEOG/GIS/ENSP majors for career and academic success after graduation?
Network at every opportunity.