The MiSTEM Career Exploration StoryMap is a spatial tool that combines interactive maps, text, and other multimedia content for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) career awareness, exploration, and development for students, parents, adult job seekers, and the community. Designed to communicate the physical location of business partners and industry clusters in Michigan, users will have the tools to identify opportunities for making better career decisions. Students and adults can use these resources to help them prepare for higher education, credentials, and the future STEM workforce. 

The map highlights:

• high-wage and high-demand careers 
• apprenticeship and internship opportunities
• industry cluster data

Access the StoryMap

Jennie Golaszewski, a recent graduate from Grand Valley State University, received first place in the 2025 American Association of Geographers (AAG) East Lakes Regional Division Student Poster Award for her MiSTEM StoryMap project!

This past fall, Jennie worked as a GIS intern for the MiSTEM Network's Greater West Michigan Region, updating data in the region's Career Exploration StoryMap. The StoryMap is a spatial tool that combines interactive maps, text, and other multimedia content for career exploration and functions as a statewide database designed to communicate the physical locations of business partners and industry clusters in Michigan.

Jennie recently earned a Bachelor's of Science in Environmental and Sustainability  studies with a minor in Geospatial Technology as well as certificates in environmental remote sensing, geographic information sciences (GIS), and applied GIS in natural resource management. While working as an intern, she also served as Vice President of the GVSU Association of Student Geographers and Planners. The club attended the East Lakes Regional Division of the American Association of Geographers Conference (ELDAAG) at the University of Cincinnati on November 7-8th, 2025, where Jennie presented her MiSTEM StoryMap project:

"The opportunity of the MiSTEM internship gave me not only real world GIS experience but also the freedom to present my own research project about how spatial interfaces, such as the MiSTEM Career Exploration StoryMap, are bringing women and non-binary into STEM fields. I am proud to say that at the ELDAAG conference I won the 1st place undergraduate research poster award. This was a great honor for me and gave me the confidence to continue my research. While finishing up my last semester and the internship, I was given the GVSU undergraduate research scholar designation from my MiSTEM and Student Scholars Day research. This internship taught me so many skills that I will be able to display for the rest of my professional career. I want to say thank you to my advisors Dr. Kin Ma, Diane Miller, Ginger Rohwer, and Olga Kryger. All of you have greatly contributed to my success and I could not have gotten this far without you."

- Jennie Golaszewski