September 26, 2025 Posted by Amanda Carleski In : Reflections
This January, I will begin my Master of Science in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Administration at the University of West Florida. To mark the start of this journey, I am launching Amanda Maps — my professional portfolio and learning journal. This “Hello World” post serves as the first entry in a series documenting my GIS projects, reflections on coursework, and insights gained from conferences, user group meetings, and self-directed learning. While many students use standard blogging platforms to track their progress, I wanted to take it a step further and create a dedicated portfolio website to showcase my work and growth in the field.
Currently, I work as a Church Secretary at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Crestview Hills, Kentucky. With a B.A. in Communications and an MPA from Indiana State University, along with more than five years of professional experience in graphic and web design, I am eager to apply my skills to the technical and analytical challenges of GIS. In 2023, I was diagnosed with Autism and ADHD, which has allowed me to better understand my strengths and focus on pursuing meaningful, purpose-driven work.
This program marks an exciting transition into a science- and data-oriented field. I am particularly interested in leveraging my experience with web development, software, and design to create GIS applications, interactive maps, and visualizations. I anticipate bringing a unique perspective to the program, complementing the experiences of classmates coming primarily from environmental science backgrounds.
In preparation for my coursework, I have several exploratory projects planned, which I will be showcasing on Amanda Maps. I will also maintain a weekly blog to refine my technical skills in HTML, CSS, and GIS software, with the goal of completing at least one fully developed project before the semester begins.
This “Hello World” post marks the beginning of my GIS journey. I look forward to sharing updates, projects, and reflections, and to demonstrating how GIS can be used to turn data into meaningful, actionable insights.
