Student Spotlight with Corey Aitken

Corey Aitken is an FAU alumnus who graduated in 2018 with his M.S. in Geoscience with a focus in Coastal Geology and GIS. Aitken has been a Planner for the past year at Monroe County Planning and Environmental Resources Department, although he previously served as the Resilience Coordinator at the South Florida Regional Planning Council (RPC).

What are some of your core responsibilities?

At the RPC I was tasked with assisting local governments re-write their Comprehensive Plans to suit the 'Peril of Flood' state statute. I was tasked with preparing sea level rise maps for a variety of communities and presenting the information to the public. My knowledge of GIS was supported by my education in coastal geomorphology to provide a full understanding to the public, and local government officials. Several of the maps were utilizing both sea-level rise and the effects of a category 1 or 2 hurricane. Having to explain that there are a number of variables that the maps created could not predict was one of the main sources of questions from the public.

How did FAU help prepare you for this role?

FAU has helped to provide a fuller understanding of the workings of GIS, but this alone was not enough for the task. I was recruited to the RPC for my knowledge as a coastal geoscientist. Understanding what processes occur on the shoreline and what are the possible solutions that can be provided to a local government played a central role in my position within the RPC.

What did you enjoy about your experience at FAU?

After returning to school, and looking for programs, I found Dr. Tiffany Roberts Briggs and her research lab. The best experiences I had at FAU were working within the Coastal Studies Lab (CSL), being able to work with other students in the field, and working with professors. FAU has exactly what someone interested in field research would be looking for, helpful and enthusiastic professors, like-minded student peers, and the ability and encouragement to do first-hand research.

What research did you perform while at FAU? And how did the faculty help you through your thesis or dissertation?

During my time at FAU, I worked on a number of projects including as a member of the CSL assisting in the field to measure coastal change. Most notably, I worked on a project with Dr. Briggs and Dr. Mitsova (URP) monitoring shoreline change on the back-barrier. We were monitoring change based on boat traffic and the wake generated by boats. During this project, we measured morphology change over the course of the day (with several field days), monitoring the passing of boats and measuring the wave period and wave height created by the wake. This site was a living shoreline that was able to reduce wake erosion with little morphology change measured on any day.

What tips would you give to current students in the College of Science looking to pursue a career in your field?

While FAU does prepare you with the knowledge you need to find work in your field, the most important tip I can give anyone is to network, network, network. Working within the CSL, I was encouraged to present my research at the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association conferences, as well as any other conference that would suit my work. Beyond having the ability to present your work, conferences provide a wonderful opportunity to meet and network with professionals in your field, be it to establish a professional network, or to find your future career!