Geospatial technologies, used to guide everything from satellites through space to your car through unfamiliar neighborhoods, are the focus of the new Central Pennsylvania Geospatial Technology Center (GTC).
The center, entirely virtual, is a partnership of Gannett Fleming, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology and Harrisburg Area Community College, aimed at helping students find jobs in this growing industry.
“Our primary goal is to provide substantive experience for students,” says Albert Sarvis, who leads the geospatial technologies major at Harrisburg U. “The academic partners will focus on grant work opportunities and smaller projects for local companies that get them started using geospatial technologies. Our corporate partners, and other geospatial technology companies that want to use the GTC's student resources will be more business focused to provide for larger scale geospatial technology projects for local and regional companies/organizations.”
Sarvis says the new center will immediately begin to pursue grant work and expects fall-semester students to work on projects with Gannett Fleming, the large planning, design, technology and construction management firm based in Camp Hill that is GTC's initial corporate partner.
Geospatial technology experience can help graduates find jobs in sectors including government, utilities, environmental and urban planning, among others. “GTC student workers who are involved in projects done by partner geospatial technology consulting firms will be better positioned to find similar work either directly with those consulting firms or others outside the area,” says Sarvis. “Students not only gain practical experience but they begin to develop a network within, and understanding of, the geospatial technology industry.”
Source: Albert Sarvis, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
Writer: Elise Vider.