Name: Trevor Olexy
Year of graduation: 2015
Current employment
status: Employed
·
Employer:
United States Dept. of State
· Position: Data Visualization Expert, Bureau of Conflict
Stabilization Operations
What is a recent project that you have worked on that you
have drawn on skills from the MPS program?
I have been running time-series statistical analysis on
conflict data in Africa. Without a solid background in spatial stats from the
MPS program, I would not be able to properly address questions I received from
ambassadors. I routinely lean on ArcGIS to make stunning maps with a story.
Model building and scripting are key when manipulating and organizing or
cleaning data. Data is almost never clean. I’m down in the data-trenches daily,
one of the best ways to get to know your data.
How have the skills you have learned in the MPS program
helped you progress in your career?
The skills gained from completing the MPS program
allowed me to apply my expertise in transportation, deforestation monitoring,
and now conflict analysis/big data. The wide array of courses available in the
MPS program allowed me to take those courses I thought would be the most
exciting and useful to me in the future.
What drew you to the MPS GIS program at Maryland?
-Two previous alums of the MPS program turned me on to the
existence of something called GIS. It was only natural that my love of maps and
computer programming led me to pursue a master’s degree with some wonderfully
experienced professors at UMD.
What advice can you give current and prospective students
about the MPS program?
GIS is a massive and ever expanding field. I cannot stress
enough how many opportunities exist for GIS professionals, even in fields you
may think do not have a geographic aspect. As a student, it can take some time
to pinpoint your geo-passion (unless you are one of the lucky-ones) but once
you do and actually even if you don’t, doors will open. I started out as an
intern with Amazon Conservation Association here in DC, was promoted to
GIS/Remote sensing consultant under-taking large projects, and now on to the US
State Dept on the advanced analytics team as their geospatial analyst for
conflict. Never stop exploring!
What recommendations would you make to current students for
career and academic success after graduation?
-Focus on what excites you.
GIS is an expansive field with myriad niches to explore. Possibly anecdotal,
but I have been required to back up policy recommendations, research, and
analysis with a sound statistical foundation. Focus on your stats classes, they
will help you in the future even if they may be painful (as they were for me!).
It can be hard but if you can make some sacrifices for unpaid internships or
lucky enough to find paid ones or consultancies, do as many as you can.
Experience is paramount in the GIS job search. Strive to tell stories with
maps. Shapes and colors can be made to look stunning, but if the customer is
unable to interpret it and draws incorrect conclusions from the map…well you
get the idea.
What are some of your hobbies/interests?
-Almost too many to mention: competitive track cycling, sitar
performance, woodworking, performing with my bluegrass band, fixing anything I
can get my hands on, cooking and taking care of my dogs and chickens.
Anything else you'd like to add?
Background:
Bachelors in
Psychology UMCP
Bachelor’s
in Jazz Bass performance UMCP
MPS GIS:
UMCP
Worked full
time as a train control technician with WMATA while earning my Master’s degree
(it’s possible!) and happy to have found my niche in the professional world.
