When people think about careers in GIS, roles like analyst, developer, or cartographer often come to mind. One pathway that deserves more visibility, especially for students and early-career professionals, is photogrammetry. My own journey into GIS and photogrammetry was shaped early on through career pathways programs at the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), starting as early as high school, and later strengthened through leadership development and hands-on experience.
Discovering STEM and Public Service Early
My STEM journey began in my junior year of high school, when a growing curiosity about science and engineering led me to apply for MnDOT’s Phoenix Internship Program. I was placed at the Materials and Road Research Lab in Maplewood, Minnesota, where I entered my first professional office environment. What started as a summer internship quickly became a defining experience. I was exposed to transportation research, public service, and the idea that technical work could directly impact everyday lives.
That internship was extended into my senior year, and during that time I began to see a future for myself in engineering, and possibly at MnDOT. Inspired by the work around me, I pursued Civil Engineering at the University of Minnesota, continuing my connection to MnDOT through its Seeds Student Worker Program.
Exploring Pathways Within MnDOT
As a freshman, I joined the Bituminous Engineering Unit, where I built a strong technical foundation. The following summer, I moved to the Survey Unit, traveling across the state and gaining hands-on experience in fieldwork and data collection. By my sophomore year, I transferred to the Design Group in MnDOT’s Waters Edge office, where I worked on CAD mapping projects. That experience sparked my growing interest in mapping and spatial data, opening the door to GIS.
Like many early-career professionals, my path wasn’t linear. When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted normal operations, my planned transfer to the Bridge Office was paused, and I was temporarily reassigned to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety as a Health Screener at the Arden Hills DMV. While the role was very different from engineering, it strengthened my communication skills, adaptability, and appreciation for public-facing work, skills that continue to serve me today.
Finding My Place in GIS
During that period, I made a pivotal decision: I switched my major to a Bachelor of Science in Geography with a focus on GIS. Returning to MnDOT, I joined the Geographic Information and Mapping (GIM) Section as a GIS student worker. There, I contributed to a wide range of cartographic products, including customized GIS datasets supporting Minnesota’s 87 counties, 854 cities, and 1,781 townships.
Remote work flexibility allowed me to balance school and professional responsibilities, and my academic and professional paths began to align more clearly than ever. As a senior, I completed a capstone project titled “Including Unincorporated Communities into the Zoning Database,” a real-world GIS initiative that directly connected my coursework to public-sector impact.
Leadership Development and Discovering Photogrammetry
After graduating from the University of Minnesota, I entered MnDOT’s MnROW (Retaining Our Workforce) Program, which allowed me to continue working in the GIM Section while exploring long-term career opportunities. I also participated in MnDOT’s Leadership Development Program (LDP), which broadened my understanding of the agency and strengthened my leadership and communication skills.
One LDP course in particular stood out: Photogrammetry. I was immediately drawn to the intersection of aerial imagery, mapping, and spatial precision. When a full-time position opened in MnDOT’s Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing Unit, I knew I had found the right fit.
What Does a Photogrammetric Technician Do?
Today, as a Photogrammetric Technician, I support Minnesota’s transportation systems through advanced geospatial analysis. My work includes processing aerial and UAS imagery, creating planimetric mapping and digital terrain models (DTMs), and ensuring spatial accuracy through quality control. These datasets play a critical role in infrastructure planning, engineering, and GIS applications across the state.
Photogrammetry may not always be the most visible GIS career path, but it is foundational to how spatial data is created and trusted.
Skills Needed for a Photogrammetric Technician
Becoming a successful Photogrammetric Technician requires a balance of both technical hard skills and professional soft skills. On the technical side, a strong foundation in GIS is essential. My own experience working with ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online as a student worker helped me develop skills in spatial data management, visualization, quality control, and analysis. Skills that directly translated to working with imagery-derived datasets, such as planimetric features and elevation models. Understanding how photogrammetric products are integrated into ArcGIS workflows allows technicians to ensure accuracy and usability for engineers, planners, and GIS professionals.
Equally important are soft skills such as attention to detail, communication, adaptability, and collaboration. Many photogrammetry projects involve working across teams and disciplines, making it critical to clearly communicate data limitations, accuracy expectations, and workflows. For students interested in photogrammetry, building ArcGIS skills through coursework, internships, and Esri training resources, while also developing strong communication and problem-solving skills, can help prepare them for future careers in this field.
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Paying It Forward Through Outreach and Representation
Because of the opportunities that shaped my journey, STEM outreach has become an important part of my work. I currently serve as an ambassador for the Get Kids into Survey initiative, engaging with students to introduce them to geospatial careers and show them what’s possible.
I’m also passionate about educating fellow GIS professionals about the value photogrammetry and remote sensing bring to the table. This commitment to outreach and professional engagement was recognized when I received the 2025 Emerging Professional Award from the GIS/LIS Consortium Conference in October 2025, an award that honors early-career professionals who demonstrate leadership, professional involvement, and meaningful contributions to the geospatial community. Representation matters. As a first-generation college graduate and a Latina in STEM, I believe visibility, recognition, and access can help open doors for the next generation of geospatial professionals.
Final Thoughts for Emerging GIS Professionals
If you’re exploring GIS or still figuring out your path:
- Seek out career pathways programs, internships, and student worker roles
- Explore specialized areas like photogrammetry and remote sensing by taking advantage of Esri training resources such as ArcGIS Pro imagery workflows, Esri Academy courses, and Esri Community blogs, as well as learning from industry organizations like ASPRS, conference sessions at GeoWeek and the Esri User Conference, and hands-on experience through internships or student worker roles.
- Embrace leadership and professional development opportunities early by attending conferences such as GeoWeek, AGU, the Esri User Conference, TopoDOT Users Conference, the MnDOT Survey Technical Workshop, the Minnesota Transportation Conference & Expo, and the GIS/LIS Consortium Conference. Getting involved in professional organizations like ASPRS, the Esri Young Professionals Network, Get Kids into Survey, Society of Women Engineers, GeoConnected, Women+ in Geospatial, the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), and Latinas in STEM can also help build technical skills, expand professional networks, and create pathways for leadership and mentorship. In my own experience, participating in MnDOT’s Leadership Development Program further strengthened my communication, collaboration, and leadership skills, while helping me better understand how my technical GIS work fits into the agency’s broader mission.
- For me, these experiences went beyond professional development; they helped me see what was possible in the geospatial field and connected me with mentors and peers, including @EmilyKnish-Anderson (Esri) and Jessica Oh (MnDOT SWAT), whose guidance and support played a meaningful role in my growth as a GIS and photogrammetry professional.
- Remember that nonlinear paths still lead to meaningful careers
Photogrammetry was not a role I initially set out to pursue, but it became the perfect intersection of my skills, interests, and passion for public service.
Let’s Get Connected
If you’re a student or early-career professional interested in GIS, photogrammetry, or exploring career pathways in the geospatial field, I’d love to connect. Whether you have questions about getting started, career pathways programs, or working in the public sector, feel free to reach out.
Email: flore657@alumni.umn.edu
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-flores-castillo-4701ab168/
I’m always happy to share my experiences and help others explore opportunities in GIS and photogrammetry.
