In early childhood Michelle Boivin developed a passion for geography. That passion prompted her to take up a career in Geographical Information Systems (GIS). At first her father was adamant that she choose a different career. According to him, geography had nothing more to offer than a life of teaching. Michelle was determined, however, to follow her passion.
The Road to GIS
Born in 1977, the 31-year-old GIS senior analyst at Technology Associates International Corporation has come a long way. While in junior high and high school, Michelle found herself more interested in technical subjects. Science and mathematics were her favorite. When she graduated from high school, Boivin attended California State University, where she took up a course in business studies. Half-way through her training in business studies, Michelle changed her mind and took up computer science as her main area of concentration.
As a computer science student, Boivin was required to take a few geography courses, and it was there that she discovered geographic information systems. She became fascinated and decided to pursue a career in GIS. Michelle asserts that when she first came to know about this career she fell deeply in love with it. She says that it is actually the career she has been searching for all her life.
Michelle graduated from the Cal State University with a degree in geography. She is also certified as a Geographical Information Systems Professional. Since graduating from college, Boivin has continued her education through online courses to keep herself updated in the GIS field.
Early Career
Michelle undertook her first internship program with City of Huntington Beach. She was later absorbed as a full-time employee. While at City of Huntington Beach, her major focus was on data which she used to make geographical representations. After some time, she moved to the Department of Transportation in North Carolina, where she worked as an analyst. While there she offered professional advice on the building of roads. It was there that she also learned, among other skills, cartography and programming.
Michelle has had several mentors throughout the course of her career. One of her mentors is the GIS manager in charge of the City of Charlotte, where Michelle first worked as an analyst. The GIS manager helped her break into her career at a time when she did not have much faith in herself.
At the age of 31 Michelle Boivin is at the height of her career. According to her, however, her greatest achievement is the fact that she not only has in depth knowledge of what she does, but also enjoys every bit of her job. Michelle understands that not very many people enjoy their careers, and therefore she appreciates that she can find fun and satisfaction in her career.
Despite her various achievements, Michelle’s career has not been without hindrances. But in the face of flexibility issues and standing out as a woman in a male-dominated profession, Boivin seems to have made it in a GIS career.
