Ian Heckman ’18

Environmental Science

Biography

I am a 2018 Taylor graduate from the Environmental Science Department with a concentration in earth and physical science. I moved to Colorado after graduation and began a graduate program in Environmental and Geospatial Sciences. I also completed a few extra courses for a Geographic Information Science (GISci) certificate. After completing a master’s degree in 2020, I contracted with the Department of Interior's United States Geological Survey (USGS) as a student contractor in the Topographic and Applied Research Section. I tested various GIS software and tools for QA/QC of light detection and ranging (LiDAR) and other elevation data. In January 2022, I became a full time cartographer with the USGS in the Elevation Operations Section. In this role, I work as part of the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) to collect and publish high resolution and high quality nationwide LiDAR data, available to the public for use and download on the National Map. When I am not working, I enjoy fly fishing, snowboarding, and doing pretty much anything outdoors.

What were some of your most valuable experiences at Taylor?

Looking back to my time at Taylor, I greatly appreciated my time spent collaborating with fellow students and the faculty. Be it birding in the early morning, trapping salamanders, hiking through the Black Hills and identifying countless plant and vertebrate specimens, or field trips through the Karst topography of southern Indiana, my connection with my fellow peers was incredibly valuable.

How did your classes or interactions with professors at Taylor impact your growth?

My interactions with professors helped me identify what my passions truly were. My professors also were instrumental in my professional growth. One example was a GSA conference I attended with Dr. Guebert. This conference specifically aided in my exploration of my passion of the earth sciences and its interdisciplinary application in our world.

How can Taylor graduates use their unique Taylor education and its liberal arts foundational core as an asset in your discipline?

Taylor provided me with a great foundation that helped me identify what I loved about earth and environmental science. Specifically, the Environmental Science program allowed me to discover how liberal arts, physical science, faith, and my own beliefs are linked.

What advice or encouragement could you provide for Taylor students in your vocational discipline?

I would encourage incoming and current students that it will all work out. God will actively use your passions, dreams, skills, and hard work to grow you and lead you into the perfect fit in your future. It took a lot of trust, prayer, and hard work to complete graduate school and work with USGS, but ultimately it has paid off. It has been a continuous process. Do not give up or feel discouraged if you do not have a perfect idea of what or where you want to be. It will fall into place at the right time.