Meet our Alumna: Jen Johnson
Where are you from originally?
Germantown, Philadelphia PA
What was the best part of your time at Jefferson?
I was given many opportunities to build a network of colleagues and professors that were well integrated into the industry and were rooting for my success. I had an incredible support system from day one and was held accountable for doing meaningful and accurate project work. The content of the program was intriguing and challenged me in scenarios that were relevant to a real work environment.
What has having a Jefferson/PhilaU/Textile degree done for you/how has it prepared you for your career?
Previous classmates and faculty are now trustworthy colleagues and lifelong friends. Additionally, I have found that my education in Sustainable Design and Geodesign at Jefferson has prepared me to enter the job market with confidence and a diverse set of skills in software, data science, and business savvy. Now, I am proud to be working for a worldwide leader in geospatial technologies.
What are you doing now?
I am a Consultant in Professional Services at Esri. I work with clients all over the world to support Urban Planning solutions as a subject matter expert (SME) in 3D modeling software and technologies. The work I get to do is fulfilling, challenging and impactful on local, regional and global scales because of the vast diversity of customers who leverage Esri products to solve complex problems and make well-informed planning decisions. Prior to joining Esri, I worked in the AEC industry as a Senior GIS Analyst and in local government as a Geodesign Specialist, Planner II, and Lead GIS Analyst.
Throughout my career, I have continued to fuel my passion for using Geographic Information Systems to enrich design strategies in the built environment. In addition to my current role at Esri, I now teach as a part-time adjunct professor at Jefferson so that I may continue to contribute relevant material to the program while educating students on cutting-edge technologies to be more competitive in the job market. I’m honored to be a part of this elite faculty and grateful for the opportunity to support each incredible cohort of students that continue to enrich the program with their diverse backgrounds and disciplines.
What’s something people would be surprised to find out about you?
I am a total map nerd! That’s not very surprising – but, I also really enjoy working with gaming engines and have learned a great deal about how they can leverage geospatial data for visualization and analytical purposes. It is an exciting melding of disciplines and has given me insight into its procedural compatibility for 3D mapping.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to our current students?
Do not shy away from asking questions. Ask as many questions as possible until you feel like you have a firm grasp on the fundamentals of every subject in your educational career.