Ambassador Spotlight ‘Sandra Flores-Castillo’

Introducing Sandra Flores-Castillo from the Minnesota area, USA. Let’s learn some more our latest Brand Ambassador:

How did you get into surveying? During my senior year of high school I applied for the Phoenix Internship program at the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). I really like working for MnDOT and become a college student worker for all 4 years. During my college internship I learned about many STEM paths and got really interested in the GIS careers. I switched majors to GIS and graduated college with a Geography BS- GIS Science Track degree. My first job as a young professional led me to be a GIS Research Analyst in the GIM Section of MnDOT. Then one day, during a Leadership Development opportunity I got an inside look at the Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing Unit here at MnDOT. I was intrigued and decided to apply and pursue a career as a Photogrammetric Technician.
Why are you volunteering? I want to promote photogrammetry industry to kids and inspire them the many career paths a GIS degree can take you to.
What are your plans as a Brand Ambassador? My plans as an Ambassador is to keep helping and inspiring kids find thier passion in the GIS world. I remember being a little lost as a kid wondering what I wanted to be and having someone as a role model, showing the ropes is helpful. I wish I had someone to teach and share thier career with me. On my LinkedIn as you can see, I am a life long learner and I always find says to keep advancing in the Geospatial world and promoting what photogrammetry is.
What are your hobbies?
Anything else you’d like to mention? I am a first generation college graduate, a women in a STEM field and Hispanic/Latino person. I am also bilingual in English and Spanish. I also have 5 years as a STEM student worker and almost 2-3 years as a young professional in the GIS/Photogrammetry industry.
Tell us about what you do
I’m a Photogrammetric Technician – Transportation Generalist Senior at the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Working on lidar, photogrammetric compilation projects and compiling GIS maps as well.