Jaroslav is a junior studying geography and anthropology at Towson University, where he also works for the Center for GIS (CGIS). Jaroslav works alongside other specialists at the Maryland State Highway Adminstration geo-referencing various plats to develop a complete picture of the highway systems in Maryland. “One unexpected skill I learned while working in my unit is the usage of the software, MicroStation. MicroStation is used by many different corporations and is a beneficial skill for my resume,” said Jaroslav.

CGIS works with the government, business, and non-profit sectors across the state. They work to provide accessible GIS technology, as well as geospatial data development and analysis, application design and development, and GIS training to promote a vibrant GIS community. Throughout his time at Towson University, Jaroslav has worked on various projects, both at CGIS and in class. “The most interesting project that I have ever worked on was for my geomorphology class. We were able to create a whirlpool in a bucket that demonstrated how the Coriolis Effect worked,” said Jaroslav.

Jaroslav’s advice for other students looking to gain real-world experience during college? “Do not be afraid to ask questions and be willing to try new techniques in order to reach your goal.”

After graduating from TU, Jaroslav has plans to become a GIS specialist or a hydrologist. He is interested in incorporating field work with lab work in order to produce critical information that can influence key decisions and make a positive impact in the world.

Fun Stuff about Jaroslav

  • What are two apps you can’t live without? Spotify and YouTube
  • If your life was a movie, what would the theme song be? Hard to Explain by The Strokes
  • What would your superhero power be? I would love to be able to teleport. It would be nice to explore the world without all the expenses of traveling.
  • What is a fun fact most people don’t know about you?  I love to play ping pong. I am the president of the club at Towson University as well. A fun fact about me that many do not know is that I am a two-time 1A Maryland State Champion in Football.