Geography students gain hands-on experience through summer internships

As summer unfolds, Ohio University geography students are diving into various internships and research projects, gaining hands-on experience in their respective fields. From urban planning and sustainability to environmental geography and meteorology, these dedicated individuals are applying their classroom knowledge to real-world challenges. Here are some of their diverse and impactful summer experiences.

Sophomore in Geography-Urban Planning and Sustainability

I am doing an internship with the Building Standards Department at the City of Wooster, OH. I am a member of the Planning Division and primarily work as a Geography Information Systems (GIS) technician. I have had the opportunity to make many changes to the city's GIS map since its last update in 2019. I have been attending meetings for several different organizations such as the City of Wooster Planning Commission.

I witnessed a hearing from local businesses regarding new sidewalks being put in downtown, and a hearing on a proposed city amendment to the zoning code allowing more multifamily housing downtown. The city recently published a 'comprehensive plan' for the next 10 years, and are attempting to create a new arts district with parks and mixed used buildings. This is being contested because it conflicts with the zoning code for that area, which permits only single family housing. 

Another important role I've been playing is conducting a study of the downtowns public parking situation and updating any changes needed on the city's GIS to create a study that will be presented to both the city council and the Planning commission to find if the parking available downtown is sufficient for the city's growing population.

Junior in Geography-Meteorology

I am a summer research student for the Northeast Partnership for Atmospheric and Related Sciences (NEPARS) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. My research focus is on extreme heat in the northeast. 

Extreme heat is one of the most dangerous natural hazards, and it will continue to become a greater issue as climate change progresses. More specifically, my research focuses on how extreme heat continues into the night. When extreme heat continues into the night, it can become hazardous quickly. This is especially true for places that do not experience heatwaves as frequently, like the northeast.

Senior in Geography-Urban Planning and Sustainability

This summer I am interning with the City of Logan through the MORPC Local Government Internship Program. Through my internship I get to interact with the mayor and government officials on a daily basis which provides a great perspective on how local governments run. 

My main project in Logan is to conduct a citywide property inventory of all the parcels which will help the city receive grants as well as understand which neighborhoods need reinvestment. The people here are so friendly and I have been learning something new every day!   

Senior in Geography-Globalization and Development

I have a summer internship at the Fairfield County Auditor Office in Lancaster, OH. Working in the GIS room, I'm currently using ArcGIS to amend parcel issues in Fairfield County's database. To do this, I have access to the mortgages, partition plats, atlases, and deeds from 1800 to current day. 

My work helps the county keep more accurate and accessible data to better help its citizens exercise their land and tax rights. I am going through the very first partition plats book for the area, deciphering calligraphy to plot the original layout of Fairfield County during its founding in 1800.

Senior in Geography-Environmental Geography

This summer I am a geographic information systems intern for the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.

My main responsibilities include building and maintaining web mapping applications for the agency, developing geoprocessing tools with ArcGIS's python API, and assisting with data governance by managing the agency's geospatial data.

Senior in Geography-Urban Planning and Sustainability

This summer, I am interning for a second year with the Mon Valley Alliance in Monongahela, Pennsylvania. The Mon Valley Alliance is a non-profit focusing on community and economic development in the Mid Mon Valley, a region once characterized by the Steel Industry in Pittsburgh. 

My project for the summer is expanding on a blight inventory map I created during my Summer 2023 internship using ArcGIS. I will be creating 3 larger blight inventory maps for the communities of Charleroi, Donora, and Monongahela. 

I also wrote and submitted grant applications for Pennsylvania's Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) Enterprise Zone Tax Credit and attended meetings and press events for the Mid Mon Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce and others. 

Senior in Geography-Meteorology

I am participating in my second summer of Project GO, an intensive foreign language study abroad scholarship program for ROTC cadets that is similar to a Boren Fellowship. I have specialized in Russian language and have spent time in Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. 

This summer, I am based in Narva, Estonia – a small city located on the Russian border. The program consists of daily classes followed by local cultural excursions (and homework, of course). 

Through PGO, I have been able to accrue 20 credit hours in Russian classes, interact with native Russian speakers, and gain exposure to world politics first-hand. This opportunity helps me develop myself as a future officer as well as supplement my interests in geography and cultural studies.

Junior in Geography-Urban Planning and Sustainability

This summer I'm interning at University Planning and Space Management where I work on both planning and GIS projects. This can include relocating departments to different spaces or defining Ohio Univeristy's real estate properties using GIS.

Sophomore in Geography-Urban Planning and Sustainability

I work in the Urban planning department of Granville. My activities are always quite varied because I follow what activities my peers do, such as sit in on legal meetings, go to town hall meetings, or go to Urban planning seminars. 

Other activities include research on planning topics, collect statistical and anecdotal data on pedestrians and traffic, and talking with experts and local politicians. To summarize, I am getting a feel for the real-world application of Urban planning and design. 

Senior in Geography-Urban Planning and Sustainability

I am interning with the City of Athens Code Enforcement and Community Development. It is an internship through the Mayor of Athens. 

In this job, I focus on zoning and contractor permits, public requests, the Board of Zoning Appeal meetings, and other community development projects. Throughout the summer, I hope to work on further city planning projects with the city planner of Athens. 

Junior in Geography - Geographic information Science

This summer I'm looking forward to starting a summer internship with Licking County's Planning and Development division as a planning intern. 

I will be assisting with a variety of tasks including development of GIS data layers, mapping and presentation of ArcGIS maps as well as website maintenance. Other tasks include data visualization and document production, as well as photographing job sites, and subsequently writing reports and presenting information.

Senior in Geography – Climate, Society, and Environment

I started as a summer intern at Geotechnical Consultants Inc. at the beginning of the summer and will be working here full-time until the start of the school year. I am mostly working in the Environmental Department, but I am also getting the opportunity to assist in the Field Department.  

I have begun working on Phase 1 environmental site assessments by assisting in the site proposal reports and participating in site visits where me and an environmental scientist walk a property and look for RECs (recognized environmental conditions) that a property owner would want to look out for before developing/financing/selling a property. I take the findings/observations from the site visit and describe them in the client's ESA. 

We also have to look for potential RECs from adjoining properties, and their ownership history all the way back to the early 1900s. In the Field Department, I am on construction sites, and am testing the batches of concrete being used to verify it is meeting the client's expectations. 

Senior in Geography-Environmental Pre-Law

I am doing a city and regional planning internship with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC). 

My host government is Violet Township, and my basic duties are assisting a township trustee, attending meetings for the Board of Zoning Appeals and Trustees, and completing projects concerning the township’s economic development and planning. 

Senior in Geography-Urban Planning and Sustainability

This summer I’m interning in Circleville, OH through the MORPC Local Government Summer Internship program. I’d give a description of my tasks, but I’m doing something different every day! 

So far, I’ve gone on-site to the city parks to take inventory and pictures so that we can create an interactive map. I’m also starting a newsletter for the city to promote community engagement and education. I'm really enjoying my time here so far!

Senior in Geography-Climate, Environment and Society

This summer I spent three weeks on a study abroad focusing on climate justice, conservation, and resilience in Kenya. I engaged in agroecological fieldwork with the NGO the Institute for Culture and Ecology. 

My favorite part was learning from the farmers, I found their zero-waste approach to farming inspiring and look forward to adapting my life at home to be more sustainable. We also visited the UN Environment Programme headquarters in Nairobi, where two OU Masters of Geography alums work. I recommend the program to any Geography student looking to experience a rigorous course and a new culture.

I also work in the mayor's office as a City Planning and Development intern, a position I have been in since last August. I enjoy learning about civic projects and creating maps for the city.  

Sophomore in Geography-Urban Planning and Sustainability

This summer, I had the opportunity to intern for the Ohio EPA: Division of Drinking and Ground Water in Logan, Ohio. I worked as their intern for the Engineering, Lead and Copper, and Funding departments. Being in this work environment has given me a look into what a full-time office job looks like in an environmental field. 

During my internship, I was able to work out in the field conducting sampling, different types of inspections, and observation work. As an urban planning major, knowing the importance of water helps understand the basis of human civilization. This internship allowed me to travel around Southeast Ohio exploring just that. Thank you Ohio EPA for this opportunity! 

Senior in BS Geography

I have been studying abroad in Africa doing community-based climate research since June 4. I am engaging with various communities to learn sustainable agricultural techniques and how the effects of climate change has impacted these local farmers.

Additionally, I am learning about the importance of cultural preservation as it is directly linked to environmental justice. These communities have shared valuable indigenous knowledge that document the change in climate and how they have been adapting to these struggles. 

Senior in Honors Tutorial College Geography-Meteorology

I am a student volunteer for the National Weather Service in Wilmington, OH, this summer. I will be working towards becoming Upper-Air Certified, which involves training in weather balloon launching and data relay, by both hands-on experiences, and by training. 

By also working under professionals in operational and forecasting meteorology, I plan to create a research project involving the utilization of TDWR radar alongside the office's NEXRAD radar in detection of severe storms, and how that has evolved and improved the efficiency of Wilmington's office in issuing warnings. 

I work eight hours per week, every week, for a total of over 100 hours by the end of the summer, when I will present this project to members of the National Weather Service. This opportunity also serves as a stepping stone into the National Weather Service as a career should I decide to follow that path.