Coding My Path Forward: How GIS Helped Me See the Bigger Picture
Building My Path in Tech & Mapping
When I began my college journey, I had no background in coding, no connections in the tech world, and no clear path laid out in front of me. What I did have, however, was determination and a deep curiosity about how technology could shape the world. That drive has led me to where I am now on a path that blends computer science, robotics, and geographic information systems (GIS).
I started at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), where I spent my first two years pushing myself through rigorous math courses, including Calculus I, II, and III all within a single year. I even took Calculus II during the summer, which tested my limits but taught me that consistency and resilience matter more than perfection. That mindset became foundational as I moved forward academically.
One of my biggest turning points came when I realized that to move forward, I needed to aim higher. I applied and was accepted into NOVA’s advanced program, which guaranteed admission to George Mason University. That transition was both exciting and intimidating. I didn’t know anyone at my new school, but I leaned into the challenge by joining communities, attending events, and building my professional network from scratch.
At George Mason, I threw myself into a summer course on Data Structures in Java. It was my first real exposure to programming, and I failed my first exam. But rather than give up, I doubled down and studied every day. By the end of the course, I had earned an A. That experience gave me confidence. If I can teach myself to code under pressure, I can take on even greater challenges.
Discovering GIS Through Robotics
My interest in GIS started to take root during a robotics research project where I worked on simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) and multi robot navigation. This wasn’t just about hardware and code it was about understanding movement in space, real-time data visualization, and building systems that interact with the world. GIS became the bridge between my technical skillset and my passion for meaningful impact.
FedGIS 2025: The Moment It All Clicked
This connection was truly solidified when I was selected as a Student Assistant for the 2025 Esri Federal GIS Conference (FedGIS). That experience brought everything full circle. I had been grinding through coursework, absorbing computer science and machine learning, and now I was seeing it applied in powerful, real-world ways. At FedGIS, I attended technical sessions on GeoAI, spatial statistics, remote sensing, and visualization. I met professionals using GIS to drive change in defense, public health, sustainability, and smart cities. It opened my eyes to how GIS doesn’t just complement computer science it expands its purpose.
GIS offers the perfect intersection of my interests. It lets me apply machine learning and computer vision to geospatial problems. It gives me tools to solve logistical challenges with spatial data and it lets me tell stories through maps that inform decisions and inspire action. Seeing how GIS brings data to life and supports real-world decisions was transformative. It showed me that all those hours I spent mastering algorithms and debugging code could directly support impactful, world-changing work.
As I advanced in my undergraduate program, I took one of the most demanding computer science courses at my university. I started the semester with the third lowest score in the class, which was crushing. But I studied 12 hours a day from mid-October to mid-December and finished with one of the top three final exam scores. That course was a gateway to my senior level work, and passing it marked another step in a long journey of resilience.
Simultaneously, I had to maintain a 3.4 GPA to qualify for the Accelerated Master's program in Computer Science. Because of the transfer, my GPA had reset, and I had to build it back up from zero. Balancing coursework, research, and networking, I managed to pull it off. I’ll be graduating with my bachelor’s degree this fall and earning my master’s in May 2026.
Looking Ahead: GIS, Robotics, and the Future of Tech
This summer, I hope to take on new projects that combine robotics, drones, and GIS. I’m particularly interested in how spatial data can enhance autonomy, how AI can refine geospatial models, and how we can use mapping systems for smarter, more adaptable systems. I’m driven to build technologies that aren’t just innovative but responsible and rooted in the challenges our world faces.
My journey has never been linear. I started with no coding experience and no connections, but with grit and an open mind, I’ve built something real. GIS has become the platform where everything I love about tech converges and I’m just getting started. If there’s one thing I want others to take away from this, it’s that you don’t need to have it all figured out. Follow your curiosity, put in the work, and stay open to where your path may lead. For me, that path led to GIS and I couldn’t be more excited about where it’s going next.
I hope you enjoyed reading about my experience at FedGIS 2025 and found some of these resources helpful! You can email me with any questions or comments at philstav2@gmail.com and make sure to connect with me on LinkedIn!