Technology Support for Students

Hi Geoterps! I hope you all are staying safe and healthy out there, but also taking some time for yourselves! In preparation for classes moving fully online for the rest of the semester, the DIT Terrapin Tech program is providing loaner laptops and wifi hotspots for students who do not have access to the technology they need to support online learning. They will ship the technology to students' homes via FedEx. If you or any student you know may be in need of this technological support for online learning, please visit https://it.umd.edu/tech-resources.

Thank you all for your understanding and patience during this time!

GEOG Career and Internship Fair Cancellation

As many of you may have already guessed, the Geographical Sciences Career & Internship Fair scheduled for March 27th has been cancelled. However, all is not lost! I am in the process of working with the University Career Center to connect interested students with the organizations that were planning to attend. We are still working out the details of what exactly that will look like but I will share the information as soon as possible. 

Thank you all for your flexibility during these strange circumstances! 

GEOG Advising Updates

As with the rest of campus, the GEOG Advising Office will be CLOSED FOR IN PERSON MEETINGS from Friday March 13th at noon until campus reopens on April 10th. Rest assured that Erin and Amanda will still be working remotely and will do everything they can to make your Fall 2020 advising as seamless as possible.

TO REMOVE YOUR FALL 2020 ADVISING BLOCK MARCH 13 - APRIL 10 

At least, 1-2 weeks before your registration date:

1. Visit www.uachieve.umd.edu. 

2. Review your degree audit and note any discrepancies/questions.

3. Visit www.testudo.umd.edu to view the Fall 2020 schedule. 

4. Create a list of courses you plan/hope to take.

5. Email that list to geog-advise@umd.edu. Use the subject line “Advising: Last Name, UID, Registration date.” By having your registration date in the subject line, we'll know which emails to prioritize.

Example: “Advising: Hall, 11234567, April 13”

6. Once the list is approved we will remove your advising block (Erin and Amanda will be on limited schedules during the originally planned Spring Break and may take a while to respond.)

Should you require additional assistance, we can schedule a phone/WebEx/Zoom/Google Hangout meeting. Please indicate if you would like to schedule this in your first email. You can also email them at any time with general questions.

**ENSP Students - we will waive the requirement to meet with your faculty advisor. We encourage you to reach out to them and try to virtually meet, but we will remove your block without that meeting occurring if necessary (after you send us a list of courses). 

We are doing everything we can to make sure this closure impacts your academic careers as little as possible. Please reach out to us if you have any concerns. Try to relax and enjoy the double Spring Break - we hope to see you all healthy in April! 

Federal Communications Commission's Office of Economics & Analytics GIS Internship

• Bureau/Office -- Position 1 of 3

Office of Economics and Analytics -- Economic Analysis Division and Industry Analysis Division
Economics / Policy Internship

The Economic Analysis Division (EAD) provides economic analysis for rulemakings, transactions, adjudications, and other Commission actions. The Industry Analysis Division (IAD) is the FCC’s principal resource for data services and statistical and geospatial consulting. Interns will work with economists and policy experts on quantitative tasks using statistical software (e.g. Stata, R, SAS), other policy research tasks, and/or on industry analysis. Interns will be assigned to either EAD or IAD based on internal needs

Selection Criteria
We welcome inquiries from advanced undergraduate students and graduate students. Applicants should have good written and oral communications skills, some relevant academic training, and a strong interest in broadband, communications, or media policy. Quantitative skills (e.g., statistics, econometrics) are of particular interest. 

Internship Period(s)
Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer Semesters

Send Application to

Internships.OEA@fcc.gov 

Application Information

• Resume (including documentation of relevant coursework and skills), writing sample, one academic reference (phone number and e-mail address), and availability (start and end dates, days/hours per week). Please indicate whether you are U.S. Citizen when you submit your application materials via e-mail. 
• Application Deadline
• Rolling basis (Ideally, applications should be submitted 1-5 months prior to desired start date) 

Note
Internships are generally unpaid.

• Bureau/Office-- Position 2 of 3

Office of Economics and Analytics -- Industry Analysis Division
Geographic Information System (GIS) Internship

In general, undergraduate interns will process and understand federal GIS datasets, learn data management practices, and produce summary reports of spatial analysis results. They may assist in the development of methodologies and execution of spatial analysis projects and develop Python scripts to automate geoprocessing. At completion of the internship, the successful intern will have learned how to automate geoprocessing of large GIS datasets. To achieve automations of tasks, the intern will have learned how to develop scripts in Python and how to build and deploy web-based maps and applications using the ArcGIS Online suite of tools.

In general, graduate interns will process large datasets in Python Pandas (clean data, perform aggregations, determine statistical measures) and in ArcPy (automate geoprocessing of Census and telecommunications data, produce visualizations of results in matplotlib, JavaScript based applications). They may develop scripts to validate data and measure uncertainties. At completion of the internship, the successful intern will have learned how to develop multi-step workflows in Python to collect data, perform aggregations and/or derive sub-sets in ArcPy and calculate results of geoprocessing in Pandas and how to disseminate results of analysis in maps, charts, and graphs in various visualizations libraries. The intern will have also gained experience with APIs, data optimization and validation, and programming applications in JavaScript and web application performance tuning. 

Selection Criteria
Undergraduate Students: 

(1) at least two semesters of GIS course work; 

(2) familiarity with ArcGIS and ESRI tools 

(3) familiarity with geospatial data 

(4) some experience with computer programming/scripting.

Graduate Students: 

(1) currently pursuing an MA in Geography, GIS, Environmental Science or related discipline; 

(2) familiarity with ArcGIS and ESRI tools; 

(3) familiarity with geospatial data; 

(4) experience with spatial statistics and mathematics; 

(5) experience with Python (preferred experience with Pandas library); 

(6) experience with ArcGIS Online/web mapping applications; 

(7) some experience with open source tools (PostGIS/QGIS, knowledge of OGC tools and standards).

Internship Period(s)
Summer 2020 

Send Application to
Internships.OEA@fcc.gov

Application Information

• Resume, project portfolio (optional)
• One academic reference (phone number and e-mail address)
• Availability (start and end dates, days/hours per week)
• Please indicate whether you are U.S. Citizen when you submit your application materials via e-mail. 

Application Deadline
Rolling basis (Ideally, applications should be submitted 1-5 months prior to desired start date) 

Note
Internships are generally unpaid. 

• Bureau/Office-- Position 3 of 3

Office of Economics and Analytics -- Data Division
Data Division Research Internship

The Data Division is responsible for developing policies and strategies to help manage the FCC’s data resources and establish best practices for data use throughout the FCC. Interns will conduct research on each of the FCC’s data collections for inclusion in its evolving data inventory and enterprise data architecture map. This includes research into the legal authority for the data collection and other metadata that help the agency align its data assets to mission activities. 

Selection Criteria
Advanced undergraduate students and graduate students preferred. Applicants should have an interest in data management/data governance. Interest in telecommunications or media is a plus. 

Internship Period(s)
Summer 2020 

Send Application to
OEA-DataDivision@fcc.gov 

Application Information

• Resume (including documentation of relevant coursework and skills)
• One academic reference (phone number and e-mail address)
• Availability (start and end dates, days/hours per week)
• Please indicate whether you are U.S. Citizen when you submit your application materials via e-mail. 

Application Deadline
Rolling basis (Ideally, applications should be submitted 1-5 months prior to desired start date) 

Note
This is an unpaid position.

For more information, follow this link: https://www.fcc.gov/internships-office-economics-and-analytics

Upcoming Geography Club Events

1. International Women's Day Mapathon

TODAY (3/9) at 5:30 pm at OpenGovHub in D.C.
This event is open to anyone from beginner to expert mapping experience and is a great networking opportunity!
Learn more and Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/international-womens-day-mapathon-2020-tickets-94906950243 

2. Good Neighbor Day

April 4th from 8:45 am - 12:00 pm
We would like it if geog club members joined us at this volunteer community service event!
To be with other members of the club, sign up for the site with this name: "UMD Lot 11b Plant Invasive Removal Volunteers will remove invasive plants from the Paint Branch Trail"
Register and create an account: https://oce.umd.edu/good-neighbor-day
Sign up before spots are filled and please let us know if you do sign up!

3. Gamma Theta Upsilon Honor Society

Apply for this professional and academic honor society to further your interest in the geographical sciences field! Membership is earned through superior scholarship and therefore it is an honor and a professional distinction.
Apply here: https://ter.ps/gtuapp2020 by March 27th.
Learn more: https://gammathetaupsilon.org/

Apply for Gamma Theta Upsilon, an International Honor Society in Geography

Hello #geoterps!

Apply for Gamma Theta Upsilon (GTU), an International Honor Society in Geography! Join GTU to further your study and interest in the geographical sciences and to strengthen professional training through academic experiences outside the classroom. Membership is earned through superior scholarship and therefore it is an honor and a professional distinction. GTU also offers involvement with faculty/staff in the department, eligibility for several scholarships, and nice swag to wear at graduation. 

This opportunity is open to students in their 4th semester of study, working towards a Geographical Sciences or related degree or minor, with a minimum 3.3 GPA cumulative and in all Geographical Sciences classes. 

Only a $20 membership fee is necessary and a formal initiation will take place on May 6th. 

APPLY HERE! 

Deadline is March 27, 2020 11:59pm

If you would like to learn more, go to https://gammathetaupsilon.org or email umdgtu@gmail.com. 

GEOG Mandatory Advising for Fall 2020

You should have received an email yesterday with the date/time that you can register for Fall 2020 courses, which will occur late March - May dependent on your credit limit. As a reminder, all Geography, GIS, and ENSP Global, Land Use, and Coastal majors will have a registration block on their account until they speak with myself or Erin Jacobs in the GEOG Advising Office for mandatory advising (2181M LEF, www.ter.ps/geogadvising). Advising hours are walk-in/first come first serve.  

However, while seeing you in-person is always our preference, your health and well-being are essential to us in the GEOG/ENSP Program. If you are currently ill (or recently have been ill), please do not put your health at risk in order to clear your advising block. We will be offering virtual and/or phone advising when applicable. Please follow the below steps to have your block cleared virtually (we recommend visiting or emailing at least two weeks prior to your registration date).

1. Visit www.uachieve.umd.edu. 

2. Review your degree audit and note any discrepancies/questions.

3. Visit www.testudo.umd.edu to view the Fall 2020 schedule*. 

4. Create a list of courses you plan/hope to take.

5. Email that list to geog-advise@umd.edu.

6. Once the list is approved we will remove your advising block.

*You might notice some new courses (GEOG276, 498D) offered this Fall! We are waiting on official word as to how/if they will fit into major requirements. There may also be a few more courses added. Please keep an eye on your emails for more information in the coming weeks.  

Thank you in advance for your attention to your advising block! Erin and I look forward to helping you chart a path to success next semester - keep up the great work everyone! 

NeighborWorks America: Working Together for Strong Communities

Purpose of Division:

The National Initiatives Division of NeighborWorks America (NWA) is responsible for developing, testing, and managing innovative national programs and services designed in support of the approximately 250 NeighborWorks Organizations with the overall objective of sustaining a network of excellence that creates opportunities for people to live affordable homes, improve their lives and strengthen their communities.

In addition, the division oversees grant programs beyond the NeighborWorks Network, including other non-profit and governmental agencies throughout the country. The areas of focus within National Initiatives include homeownership and lending, financial capability, green strategies, community and resident engagement, community stabilization and real estate.

Position Summary:

The NeighborhoodLIFT Home Ownership Counseling Initiatives (NLHC) Pilot is a program that reimburses eligible Housing Counseling Agencies to provide pre-purchase housing counseling services to potential homebuyers seeking to purchase a home in pre-selected markets.

The Specialist, NLHC position is responsible for providing direct support and assistance to the Program Manager to administer the NLHC Program in accordance with the program’s Funding Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding. This position is directly responsible for assisting with onboarding agencies into the Pilot program, providing technical assistance to Participating Agencies, providing at-event outreach to NeighborhoodLIFT (Let’s Invest in Tomorrow) customers, reviewing client file submissions for approval and issuing monthly grant payments.

More Info: https://www.appone.com/MainInfoReq.asp?R_ID=2931407  

Washington College Summer GIS Internships

To apply, please complete this application below and send your resume & cover letter to knewcomb2@washcoll.edu

https://washcoll.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_25eCIMyBNjBWATz

For more information, please visit https://www.washcoll.edu/centers/ces/gis/washington-college-gis-2020-summer-internship-opportunities/

Student Activism Opportunity

Students are often at the forefront of movements to build a better future for our country. Whether or not they make real progress depends on whether they’re organized, have the skills to be effective, and have a strategic plan to get things done. The Student PIRGs have been hiring Campus Organizers for over 40 years to amplify the power of student activism, and help students make real change, right now.

Last semester our organizing team accomplished a lot! We declared UC Davis and UC Berkeley as Bee Friendly campuses with our campaign to Save the Bees. We worked to phase out our use of single use plastics by banning foam cups and take out containers in the city of Eugene, OR and getting Eckerd College in Florida to sign the Break Free From Plastics Pledge. We also continued our effort to make college more affordable by winning our campaign to permanently fund a program that increases Open Textbooks at Trinity College and advocated for and won 7 million dollars in the federal budget for a national program. All the while our program trained thousands of students with the skills to make a difference!

We are looking for seniors who are ready to make a difference on issues like these and help us increase the youth vote in 2020. We are preparing to launch our non-partisan voter registration effort that will help 100,000 students register to vote and head to the polls on Election Day.

We’re hiring people to help students get organized, mobilized, and energized for the 2020 Elections. To hear more about the job or the work that Student PIRGs do, feel free to email Sarah Shames.

Apply TODAY for a career in organizing! Help fight climate change, protect public health, make college more affordable, and more!