The UMBC GIS master’s program helps working professionals build practical GIS skills while connecting graduate coursework directly to their careers.
Meghan Arnold found a different perspective through the UMBC GIS master’s program, which connected classroom learning directly to her daily work. As a UMBC alum and current GIS professional, Meghan shares how graduate coursework strengthened her technical skills, improved workplace communication, and shaped her long-term career goals.
What Drew Meghan Back to UMBC for GIS Graduate School?
Dennise: What motivated you to choose the UMBC GIS master’s program specifically, and which aspects of the program attracted you most?
Meghan: I’m a UMBC undergraduate alum, and I graduated in 2016 through Geography and Environmental Systems. I also earned a GIS certificate and started working in the GIS industry afterward.
Last year, a new colleague joined our team who also graduated from UMBC. We learned about the MPS program and decided to pursue more learning opportunities. We attended an information session, and that experience convinced us to apply.
How Graduate School Supports Professional GIS Growth
Dennise: You already work in GIS, so how does the program contribute to your professional growth and skill development?
Meghan: GIS changes rapidly, and professionals constantly encounter new technologies and tools. I really enjoy staying current and continuing to learn throughout my career.
The graduate program has become an important part of that process. It introduces new tools and gives me opportunities to practice them through hands-on laboratory work. I can then apply those skills directly to my job.
What Does a GIS Technician Do?
Dennise: Can you explain what you currently do professionally and describe your day-to-day responsibilities?
Meghan: I work for local government as a GIS technician. My formal title is engineering support technician, but we generally call ourselves GIS technicians.
I work within the stormwater management division and maintain and map stormwater infrastructure data. People might not notice this work every day, but they see the infrastructure we map throughout their communities.
Storm drains, ponds, and similar infrastructure all need accurate location data. Our team helps maintain those maps and keeps track of those important assets.
Dennise: That work plays an important role in infrastructure and community safety. The Mid-Atlantic has experienced some wild weather this summer, too.
Meghan: There’s always something happening with rain events. We call it job security.
Discovering the Value of a GIS Master’s Degree
Dennise: What motivated you to pursue your master’s degree after already entering the GIS field?
Meghan: I didn’t initially think a master’s degree would matter for my career. That perspective changed when I learned more about the program and its projects.
During my first information session, I heard about the coursework and different projects. I realized those experiences directly connected to my everyday responsibilities at work.
I hadn’t originally planned to earn a master’s degree, but the program has already provided significant value. I’ve learned a lot through my coursework and gained skills that apply directly to my professional work.
Turning GIS Coursework Into Workplace Solutions
Dennise: Can you highlight a project or course experience that proved especially valuable for your current GIS career?
Meghan: One project from my first class involved creating maps and writing a report for a non-GIS audience. We needed to explain what the maps showed and how they could support decision-making.
That experience directly connects to my work. We regularly create mapping products for management, who use those maps to make important decisions.
Creating an effective map involves more than simply producing an image. We also need to communicate the information clearly and explain what it means.
A project at work eventually required those same skills. We needed maps that could help determine where the county should spend grant funding.
My coursework gave me experience presenting that information effectively. I used those skills to communicate the findings to supervisors and help support their decision-making process.
Dennise: Communicating complex information clearly represents an important human skill, especially when your audience lacks specialized GIS knowledge.
Meghan: That communication component matters a lot to me. We have enormous amounts of data, maps, and information available through GIS.
The real challenge involves translating that information into something people can understand and use effectively. That human component plays an important role throughout the entire GIS process.
Balancing Graduate School With Full-Time Work
Dennise: What reservations did you have before enrolling, and how has your perspective changed since starting the program?
Meghan: My biggest concern involved balancing full-time work with graduate classes. I worried about managing both responsibilities and finding enough time for everything.
So far, the experience has remained very manageable. The program offers evening classes, which allows me to work during the day and attend class afterward.
The professors also understand that many students work full-time or manage internships and other responsibilities. Their flexibility makes balancing school and professional commitments much easier.
Building a Sustainable Graduate School Routine
Dennise: Did you develop a particular mindset or strategy that helped you manage challenging weeks?
Meghan: Last semester, setting aside specific blocks of time helped me tremendously. I use Google Calendar and schedule recurring blocks for schoolwork.
I usually reserved two or three hours on Saturday or Sunday afternoons for readings and assignments. Having that dedicated time helped me stay focused and use my available hours wisely.
I also learned to check in with myself throughout the week. Sometimes I needed to take a break before returning to an assignment later.
Dennise: Flexibility matters because giving yourself time to unwind can help you return refreshed and focused.
I also learned that tackling easier tasks first can create momentum. Breaking larger assignments into smaller steps can make overwhelming projects feel much more manageable.
Meghan: Definitely. The program also breaks many assignments into smaller components, which makes that process easier.
Instead of receiving one enormous assignment, we might complete a laboratory component, prepare data, and then write a report. Breaking the work into stages gives us time to focus on each task.
Connecting GIS Skills to Long-Term Career Goals
Dennise: Where do you currently see yourself professionally, and how does your graduate coursework support those goals?
Meghan: My long-term goals were somewhat unclear when I started. I had worked for the county for several years and focused heavily on my daily responsibilities.
Graduate school gave me an opportunity to step back and think more intentionally about my career. Eventually, I would like to become a GIS manager.
The GIS department in our county continues to expand because people increasingly recognize how much GIS can improve efficiency. I believe the master’s program can play an important role in helping me advance toward that leadership goal.
Finding Purpose Through Infrastructure Mapping
Dennise: What area of GIS interests you most, and what keeps you passionate about this work?
Meghan: I love mapping infrastructure. I know that sounds nerdy, but I genuinely enjoy it.
I find it fulfilling to track structures, monitor their conditions, and identify potential safety concerns. Accurate information helps teams understand where infrastructure exists before they begin new projects.
I’m passionate about maintaining those assets and helping keep the public safe. That purpose gives my GIS work real meaning.
Seeing the Bigger Impact of GIS Careers
Dennise: Your work highlights how GIS affects communities in ways people might not immediately recognize.
When people hear “GIS,” they might think only about maps and technology. Your experience shows how those tools can support infrastructure, safety, and public decision-making.
Meghan: We sometimes work behind the scenes, but we’re always there making maps.
Dennise: I love that. Thank you for sharing your experience with the GIS program and your perspective on the field.
Your work demonstrates how specialized GIS skills can support communities while creating meaningful professional opportunities. Your story also shows how graduate education can connect directly to real workplace challenges.
Building a GIS Career Through Applied Learning
Meghan’s experience demonstrates how graduate education can complement an established GIS career. The UMBC GIS master’s program gives working professionals opportunities to explore new technologies, practice technical skills, and apply classroom projects to workplace challenges.
Her story also highlights the importance of communication within GIS careers. Professionals need more than technical expertise when they must translate complex information into useful insights for decision-makers.
For Meghan, that combination of technical knowledge, communication, and public-service impact continues to shape her professional goals. Her path toward GIS management shows how graduate education can support both immediate professional development and longer-term career advancement.
Learn more about GIS career growth and professional opportunities.