Hi! Let me introduce myself…
I’m Alicea: cartographer, front end developer, creator & life-long learner
Education
I started with a Bachelors in Communication from Rutgers University with a focus on Health Communication. With a growing interest in environmental issues I completed an Associate of Science in Environmental Science from Raritan Valley Community College - where I was lucky to discover the world of GIS. In 2020 I finished a Master’s in Cartography: GIS & Web Mapping Programming from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Experience
I’ve worked at companies big and small, from a boutique startup to a Fortune 50 giant. I’ve also done work with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Natural Heritage Program. The last few years I’ve been working as a Front End Developer. I’ve currently been working on this project, The Wild Cartographer, and working as a Geospatial Web Developer with a global NGO.
Skills
As a Cartographer and Front End Developer I regularly work with HTML, CSS, and Javascript libraries to build and design responsive and interactive web pages, especially web maps. I also have experience with GIS software (such as ArcGIS Pro and QGIS) along with SQL, Python, databases, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. One of my biggest draws to mapping is the never ending learning opportunities it provides.
Passion
I am a big picture person - it is the connections between all things that fascinates me to no end. I believe that is why I was so drawn to cartography - and it’s combination of art and science. Telling a story through data and helping others to see connections in this grand web of life. I am passionate about the outdoors, ecology, natural history, communities, equality, conservation, livable cities, land stewardship, and connecting all these together to build a better world.
Hobbies
When I am not at my computer you can mostly find me being active, especially outside. I love biking, climbing, paddle boarding, hiking or just walking around my neighborhood. I am also an avid reader, budding artist and working on my gardening skills.
Awards
While I was working on my Master’s Degree I was fortune to be able to submit two maps in student contests. First a story map I made on Antarctica won 1st Place in the Ocean Category with ESRI’s Global Content Challenge in Fall 2016. Then a group project through UWM won 1st place for Student Dynamic Group Map at the North American Cartographic Information Society (NACIS) conference in 2018.