Monica Stephens ('04) is an Analytics Analyst at MapInfo-Thompson,
Predictive Analytics, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.At Clark, Monica double-majored in Geography and International Development, and wrote a honor's thesis in Geography on the cross-national analysis of the changing female body and its representation in the media. After receiving a B.A. with High Honors in Geography, Monica spent the summer as a National Science Foundation-Research Experience for Undergraduates Fellow at the University of Oklahoma's Geography Department. She declined a job offer from ESRI in California to take up the current position as an Analytics Analyst in Ann Arbor. Her job involves traveling through out North America and taking qualitative measurements of spatial relationships.
On becoming a Clark Geographer, Monica says:
"There is no other degree that could have possibly prepared me for this field of work. Clark Geography gave me the flexibility to study multiple dimensions of geography, and for my job I need to constantly analyze behavior that stems from social geography, transportation geography, landscape geography, and economic geography. I also found I needed a strong knowledge of economics, statistics, and GIS. I was able to take the courses that I enjoyed at Clark and gain the skills that I needed to be successful in my career."
There are so many applications of a degree in geography, and there are so many positions a well-rounded Clark geographer is qualified for. My company, like our competition, is continually hiring competent geographers. If you are looking for a lifestyle that involves traveling, exploring, or working with space and place, geography is the only degree that almost guarantees a post-college position; and Clark has the best department for obtaining a well-rounded geographic education."