Point Clouds & Possibilities: Navigating a Career in Lidar
As I reflect on the eight years since I graduated from college (with a mappy graduation cap, of course!), I’m struck by how unexpected - and rewarding – my “geo journey” has been. I never planned to end up in the geospatial world, but boy has this turned into an incredible career full of growth, exploration, and connection. For any students and young professionals who might be curious about where their path could lead – especially those exploring opportunities in the lidar/photogrammetry/remote sensing space - keep reading to learn how I stumbled into this field, discover some exciting opportunities that exist here, and hear about a few insights I've gained along the way!
Entering the Geospatial Field
One (seemingly small) decision set my whole career off – senior year of high school, I decided to enroll in Loudoun County Public Schools and James Madison University’s Geospatial Semester - an intro to GIS that gave students hands-on experience in mapping and spatial analysis while earning dual-enrollment college credit. Check out this Esri article about the program – you might even spot a much younger me in the videos!
As part of the Geospatial Semester, all students were able to spend a full 6 months on an individual research project on the topic of our choosing, to be presented to the board of JMU advisors for our final grades. I got to mix two of my greatest loves - politics and geography – and my final project, The North Korean Nuclear Threat to Southeast Asia, ended up ranking first across the entire program and being displayed at the 2013 Esri UC! Thanks to the encouragement of my teacher (shoutout Mr. Wagner!), I realized that GIS could be more than just a one-time project – it could be a career.
That realization led me to declare a major in Geographic Science with an Applied GIS concentration at James Madison University (Go Dukes!), and I never looked back. After graduation, I landed a role at Dewberry, working on federal contracts for the USGS 3D Nation Elevation Program – and my career began!
The World of Lidar
But before we go any further – what is lidar, exactly? Well, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) –
“Lidar, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, is a remote sensing method that uses light in the form of a pulsed laser to measure ranges (variable distances) to the Earth. These light pulses—combined with other data recorded by the airborne system — generate precise, three-dimensional information about the shape of the Earth and its surface characteristics.”
Essentially, lidar uses laser pulses from aircraft to capture incredibly detailed, 3D views of our Earth’s surface. Almost my entire career has involved applying this technology to support critical federal programs – mapping coastlines for NOAA, building a 3D National Terrain Model for USGS, and contributing to FEMA’s resilience efforts in the aftermath of natural disasters. It’s incredibly important and impactful work, helping us better understand our planet, plan infrastructure more wisely, and make decisions that not only respect our natural environment but are strengthened by it. Whether they know it or not, these programs positively impact the lives of Americans and others around the globe every single day.
I currently serve as the Program Manager for Federal Aerial Programs at SAM, where I lead our federal initiatives for major clients including USGS and USACE. Our work spans both topographic and topobathymetric modeling, delivering solutions for infrastructure planning, land cover analysis, floodplain mapping, and more. While my primary responsibility is on the federal side, our team’s broader aerial lidar portfolio also includes significant commercial efforts – such as utility mapping for Duke Energy and PG&E, and transportation projects for various State DOTs. This role has been both challenging and deeply rewarding, and I’m excited about the path ahead as we continue growing and strengthening this program with the support of an incredibly talented and dedicated team!
Though lidar started as a technical endeavor, it’s unfolded into a journey that’s as much about people and policy as it is about data – even bringing me to Capitol Hill. As mentioned above, I have always had a love of political geography – my final high school project focused on North Korea’s nuclear threat, and later, at James Madison University, I focused my senior thesis on the political geography of Virginia during the 2016 election, analyzing voting patterns in precincts with and without colleges and universities. Looking back, it’s not entirely surprising that I ended up in the federal contracting space, since that interest in politics and government has always been there – so getting to combine that passion with GIS has been incredibly rewarding. One of the most memorable moments of my career has been participating in MAPPS Federal Hill Day this past March, where we had the chance to speak directly with Congress about funding for federal lidar and photogrammetric programs and advocate for the programs and data that serve as the foundation for critical, data-driven decisions across the country.
Of course, I recognize that federal work (or government/the public sector in general) isn’t for everyone, and that’s the beauty of the lidar world: there’s no single path! There is a thriving private sector full of opportunities – lidar plays a critical role in utilities, transportation planning, site and civil engineering, and even archaeology. It’s being used to map ancient Mayan ruins, guide infrastructure development, support post-disaster recovery efforts after hurricanes and wildfires, and fuel the growing world of digital twins. The sky – quite literally – is the limit!
Lessons for Success: Networking, Taking Risks, and Building Your Brand
Life begins at the edge of your comfort zone. Some of the most rewarding moments of my journey came from saying yes to opportunities that scared me. I left the lidar world for a few years to work in geospatial policy and humanitarian mapping at the Department of State – a huge change – and then jumping back into lidar afterward, into a role I never expected, was an even bigger risk. Say yes, show up, and don’t shy away from new challenges, especially early on – you’ll be amazed at the doors that open!
Network and build your brand. The relationships I’ve built – through communities like the Young Professionals Network (YPN), the Geospatial Professional Network (GPN) Vanguard Cabinet, and even in groups outside of GIS, like Women in Technology – have led to mentorship, job opportunities, and lifelong friendships. Build your brand and create a professional identity for yourself outside of your job. Whether through LinkedIn, portfolios, podcasts, or side projects, you are the only one who will advocate for your career 100% of the time - so take ownership of how you present yourself in the professional world.
Finally, seek out mentors and champions – individuals who will invest in your growth, hold you accountable, and challenge you to reach your full potential. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the guidance of key people who I cherish and respect. Surround yourself with those who offer honest feedback and inspire you to grow. And when the time comes, give back by becoming a mentor yourself – pay it forward.
Conclusion
As I reflect on this journey – from high school GIS projects to managing lidar programs – one thing is clear: there’s no single path to success in this field. The lidar and geospatial space is wide open and (still) growing fast, with opportunities in every direction for those willing to explore, take chances, and invest in themselves. If you’re just getting started, I hope this post sparks something for you. Reach out, ask questions, share your story - we are all in this together.
This industry is full of opportunity, but it’s up to YOU to go after it. Take chances. Make connections. And never stop building the version of yourself and your career that you want the world to see!
