Summer Internship: Geography student uses ‘geospatial’ skills to make transportation safe

I t may sound like an intergalactic maneuver in space, but geospatial science is about collecting, incorporating and managing geographic data. It’s used for a variety of purposes like mapping roads, improving transportation safety or evaluating population growth.

Geospatial scientists explore connections between the community and the environment, helping to predict patterns and trends.   

With such a widespread span of uses, then, it’s helpful for students to get experience in the field before delving into geospatial careers.

Regan Kitchens of Marietta is doing just that. The recent graduate earned a degree in Environmental Science with a minor in Geology. Her internship with Middle Georgia Regional Commission (MGRC) in Macon is the final requirement for getting her Geographic Information Science certificate (GISc). Her internship has already helped improve local transportation and pedestrian safety, according to Dr. Doug Oetter, professor of Geography and coordinator of Georgia College’s GISc certificate program.

Regan Kitchens, right, helps examine a map at Middle Georgia Regional Commission in Macon.
Regan Kitchens, right, helps examine a map at Middle Georgia Regional Commission in Macon.

... having an internship with a local agency, business or organization sets them apart from other students, because it allows them to learn more about how to apply their skills in actual work situations.
– Dr. Doug Oetter
“We recognize that our students are well-prepared for careers in geospatial science,” Oetter said. “But having an internship with a local agency, business or organization sets them apart from other students, because it allows them to learn more about how to apply their skills in actual work situations.”

“I’m very excited for Regan,” he added. “Her work is very methodical and complicated, but she’ll learn how to be efficient in data collection, analysis and presentation. These are the essential techniques of most geospatial projects, and Regan will accomplish a lot through her efforts. Just as important, she’ll also be contributing a great service to the citizens of Middle Georgia.”

Georgia College students often get important and meaningful internships, where they complete essential tasks that support public agencies like MGRC. Their liberal arts education bolsters their confidence and skills, readying them for such positions.

Last fall, Regan took Oetter’s Geospatial Data Management class and mapped air quality in seven Southeastern states. Her work was “truly insightful,” Oetter said, “as it revealed geographic patterns of carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and ozone pollution.”

“Regan exemplifies the strengths of applying a mapping perspective to understanding complex environmental data,” he said. “She is a delight to work with in every regard, but it has been a special pleasure to guide her through advanced spatial analysis investigations.  She has combined her passion for helping protect the environment with some very powerful geospatial skills to perform detailed investigations across large areas.”

Oetter helped Kitchens find the internship at MGRC, which covers 12 counties including Baldwin, Jones and Wilkinson. It's a paid full-time position. Kitchens was nervous about applying and competed against other candidates for the job. But she received the offer and now works on project REVAMP (Roadway Element Validation and Mapping Program) with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT).

Regan exemplifies the strengths of applying a mapping perspective to understanding complex environmental data. She is a delight to work with in every regard ...
– Oetter

Her job is to improve existing data and identify changes in the roadway system. Kitchens analyzes data from each county, scrutinizing roads for crosswalks, pedestrian signals, street parking, turning lanes, sidewalks and school zones. She uses ArcGIS Pro and Google Street View to find these features. It’s a time-consuming task. Each attribute is marked for location. Then, the information’s added to the database.

Many local counties are small and don’t have funding to do this kind of geographic mapping on their own. This makes the job even more fulfilling.

Before college, I had no idea what GIS was or how it worked. I am very proud of how far I’ve come and how much I have achieved.
– Regan Kitchens
“Roads are constantly being updated and this new information strengthens our knowledge of Georgia’s road network,” Kitchens said. “Having this comprehensive, road characteristic information will make it easier to create maps in the future, and it’ll allow for local funding of roads to be correctly distributed.”

“Before college, I had no idea what GIS was or how it worked,” she said. “I am very proud of how far I’ve come and how much I have achieved. I see myself using GIS in my future jobs, because it has so many different aspects it can be used for.”