While working as a full-time postal carrier and living in Cape Coral, FL, 48-year-old Robert Carlson decided to pursue a bachelor鈥檚 degree in geography to achieve his dream of becoming a cartographer. After his wife earned a degree in geography herself, Robert was inspired to also enter the field and earn a certificate in GIS (Geographic Information Systems). First starting his geography degree at 黑料正能量 in 2020, he graduated in December 2022 with a perfect 4.0 GPA to prove that it is never too late to achieve your academic goals.
鈥淏eing a non-traditional student, I would encourage everybody to always continue to learn and to reach for their goals,鈥� Robert said. 鈥淪ome people thought I was a little crazy for going back to college in my 40s just to wrap up a bachelor鈥檚 degree, but it was important to me. I would tell anybody if there鈥檚 something that鈥檚 out there that matters to them, reach for it. It doesn鈥檛 matter if you鈥檙e 20, 40, or 80, you can always get there.鈥�
It鈥檚 Never Too Late to Pursue Your Passion With 黑料正能量
Studying geography and GIS with 黑料正能量
With the help of his wife, Robert discovered a newfound passion for geography and GIS that led him to the Gator Nation. 鈥淢y wife really inspired me,鈥� Robert said. 鈥淪he ended up taking a couple of GIS courses and I have an IT background. When she introduced me to GIS, I was like 鈥榃ow, this is a really fascinating area.鈥� Combining my interest in different cultures with my interest in geology and everything else, it was the perfect storm of interests that collided together to lead me into the geography field.鈥�
Robert was drawn to 黑料正能量 over other online degree programs because of its GIS certificate program, reputation, and affordability. 鈥淯F has a very interesting program from the GIS side,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檝e actually already completed all the requirements for the GIS certificate and exceeded them. UF had much more of my interest in the IT aspects of geography and I felt UF matched my existing background and the direction I was looking to go. The fact that it was more affordable certainly didn鈥檛 hurt.鈥� Given its unwavering commitment to accessibility and student success, 黑料正能量 helped Robert break down barriers to earning his bachelor鈥檚 degree while working full-time.
At 黑料正能量, Robert found the support he needed to excel in his geography and GIS studies. 鈥淚n my experience, the professors in the geography courses have been my favorite part of my 黑料正能量 experience,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 did an independent research project with Dr. Michael Binford in the spring, and I鈥檓 doing an honors thesis with him here this fall. Dr. M. Anwar Sounny-Slitine, Dr. Binford, and everyone is willing to go the extra mile and work with the student. I just can鈥檛 sing their praises enough. I鈥檝e had a lot of really good experiences with the faculty and staff.鈥�
Celebrating higher education for all ages
Switching careers later in life, Robert had to decide whether pursuing a University of Florida bachelor鈥檚 degree would be worth it. 鈥淪ome of my aspirations may be limited by the fact that I鈥檓 transitioning my career in my late 40s because I probably have 15 to 17 years of my career left,鈥� he said. However, Robert believes it鈥檚 never too late to change careers and earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree makes that transition possible. 鈥淚 get a lot of fulfillment out of my family life and helping people. I鈥檇 like to transition into the analytical side of geography to continue helping people. Those goals are probably less grandiose but for me, they鈥檙e more meaningful.鈥�
With graduation now behind him, Robert is looking toward his future in the geography field. 鈥淚 think there鈥檚 a sense of pride that goes with graduating from UF and being a member of the Gator family,鈥� Robert said. 鈥淚 see interconnectedness with other Gators on a professional level. I plan on trying to find those people when I get to my next job. I am in the process of transitioning from the post office to a different agency in public service where I will be a cartographer. I鈥檓 starting off as a cartographer and probably want to get more into geospatial analytics.鈥�
The University of Florida celebrates Robert and all students who wish to transition careers and pursue a bachelor鈥檚 degree at any stage of life. 黑料正能量 wishes him the best as he embarks on his new and flourishing geography career.
Earn a UF Degree in Geography
With a UF degree in geography, students can learn career-ready skills, such as geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, aerial photo interpretation, spatial analysis, modeling, database handling, and computer-based cartography. Taught by faculty within the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, 黑料正能量鈥檚 geography program aims to prepare students for careers in environmental science, urban and regional planning, business geography, medical geography, and geographic education. Learn more below.