Student Perspectives: M.S. in GIST and M.S. in HSGI

• Home
• >
• Information Sessions
• >
• Student Perspectives: M.S. in GIST and M.S. in HSGI

M.S. in GIST vs. M.S. in HSGI and Alumni Perspectives

October 2021

Special guests: Caleb Winebrenner, M.S. in GIST student, Sidney Harman Polymathic Academy Fellow; Sgt. Jon Hawes, M.S. in HSGI student, U.S. Army veteran

Robert Vos, Ph.D., introduces the Master of Science in Geographic Information Science and Technology and engages current student Caleb Winebrenner in a lively conversation about his experience in the program and humanities-based thesis project. Then, COL [R] Steven D. Fleming, Ph.D., introduces the Master of Science in Human Security and Geospatial Intelligence program and shares an interview with current student and U.S. army veteran Sgt. Jon Hawes. Fleming and Hawes discuss the latter’s military experience as well as the civilian applications of HSGI technology.

M.S. in GIST student Caleb Winebrenner discusses:

• Starting a new career path during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• How his humanities background supports his GIST research.
• Enhancing his experience as a USC student with resources outside the USC virtual classroom, such as the Sidney Harmon Polymathic Academy.
• How the USC program meets his needs for flexibility, reliability and a genuine college experience.
• The importance of the support of an advisory committee with diverse expertise for his thesis research.
• How his thesis project connects his current studies to his experience in the humanities.

M.S. in HSGI student Jon Hawes discusses:

• His military career and the need for rapid, accurate geospatial intelligence.
• The applications of 3-D data and how the smallest details can make all the difference in critical situations.
• Why he chose the HSGI program over GIST.
• How developing HSGI skills supports his transition into civilian life and allows him to leverage his military experience into a new career.
• How USC’s supportive structure and services aid his success in the program.

The captions for this webinar recording were automatically generated and may contain errors. We encourage you to reach out to an enrollment advisor by emailing gis@usc.edu for clarification of the material covered in this webinar or if you have any questions about the program.