Graduation to Vocation: Solving Park Management Problems with GIS

William Beam is graduating with an undergraduate degree in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management and a minor in Agribusiness Management. After graduation, he won’t be heading too far away. William will begin his Masters of Science in Parks Recreation and Tourism Management this fall at NC State.

How has the College of Natural Resources impacted you and prepared you for your future?

CNR and the faculty within the PRTM program have played a major role in offering support inside the classroom and out. I feel confident in my knowledge and skills to be a leader moving forward in the field of parks and recreation.

What is unique about your work?

I really enjoy making things such as processes or management strategies more efficient. My focus is finding ways to use Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) in our parks to increase efficiency in tasks such as invasive species management, trail maintenance, and human-wildlife conflict management.

What motivated you to pursue your work?

I enjoy being outdoors and I wanted to find a way to mix that with using powerful software programs that offer solutions to management problems. I also like working with computers so mixing the two lets me enjoy both. Hopefully, it will afford me the opportunity to split my work time between the outdoors and a comfortable office.

What advice would you give students entering your major or field?

Mostly, I would say find your niche within the PRTM field. Not everyone is meant to be a program planner or interpretive guide, or even a park ranger. Explore all the opportunities in this broad field and find what you enjoy and find interesting.