Over the past semester, I had the opportunity to work as an intern with the Fayette County Cultural Trust (FCCT), under the guidance of Michael Edwards and Dan Cocks, and in collaboration with other faculty members and students from the University of Pittsburgh. This internship was offered to me to continue research I began last semester in my Sustainability Capstone class. Throughout the internship, I engaged in various activities aimed at studying and promoting economic resilience in the Fayette County area. It has been an incredibly enriching year, and I am grateful for the opportunity to practice community engagement and to contribute to such a beautiful county.
During my internship, I had the opportunity to continue a Google asset map project that I had started the previous semester. My main objective was to expands the map to include additional locations throughout Fayette County. Over the course of my internship, I added hundreds of new locations, including parks, restaurants, and other places of interest. This map has been an incredible resource for Fayette County residents, with over 800 views since its creation last semester. The map makes it easy to locate and navigate to different destinations through the area, thereby making it easier for people to explore and enjoy all that the city has to offer. Additionally, having a comprehensive asset map can have economic benefits as it can attract new businesses and tourism to the area. All added points have been made into Excel documents so that the data can be used and updated in the future.
Another project I worked on was studying OSHER at Pitt to bring remote classes to Fayette County. OSHER at Pitt is an adult learning program that offers a wide range of courses and activities to older adults in the Pittsburgh Area. However, many older adults in Fayette County are unable to attend these classes due to transportation issues and other barriers. To address this problem, I researched the feasibility of bringing remote classes to Fayette County through video conferencing technology, such as Zoom. The FCCT is planning to build a classroom that can be accessed by this population to participate in quality higher education provided by OSHER.
In addition to these projects, I also created GIS summer internships for Pitt students to complete maps that aid in Fayette County’s resilience including property database management and asset maps. The internship program I developed aims to provide Pitt students with hands-on experience in ArcGIS as well as practice in community outreach. This internship will provide GIS students with college credit, and their work will be presented at Pitt’s GIS day in the Fall semester so that their work will be acknowledged by the Pitt community. I was required to write up contracts, interview and recruit prospective students, meet with Pitt faculty to define requirements, and provide training and support. This has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of my internship as I will be able to provide them valuable hands-on experience and professional skills that may lead them into rewarding careers in the future.
Finally, I also compiled census information for Michael Glass, and the Director of Urban Studies here at Pitt, so that he can map population changes over four decades in 7 counties and their associated minor civil divisions. This project aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of population trends in the region and identify areas of growth or decline. Using this data, we will be able to gain insights into the factors that contribute to population changes and to understand the challenges and opportunities facing different communities in the area.
Overall, this internship with the FCCT has been incredibly enriching and rewarding. I have gained valuable skills in research, data analysis, project management, and networking. I have been able to identify the needs and goals of my stakeholders and work towards implementing effective solutions. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with such dedicated and passionate individuals and to be part of a community that is committed to making a positive difference for its residents.