FIU grad advances geo-literacy in Washington, D.C.


For FIU alumna Chari Adames-Smith, working for National Geographic was a childhood dream. This summer, that dream became a reality.

“Ever since I was in 7th grade, I read the magazine for the information it provides and its beautiful photography,” said Adames-Smith, who earned her bachelor’s degree in geography and international relations this spring.

Chari Adames-Smith during her first month on the job at National Geographic in Washington, D.C.

Granted a 15-week internship with the National Geographic Society in Washington, D.C., Adames-Smith is one of nine applicants chosen from hundreds of undergraduate and graduate students throughout the nation for the competitive internship program.

“When I found out I was given the internship, I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “To help them achieve their mission of inspiring people to care about the planet, and about the people around them, is a privilege.”

Adames-Smith, who began the internship in September, is working in the Geography Education Program, which is responsible for creating and disseminating educational programs for the inside and outside of classrooms. She is compiling information and photographs for Geography Awareness Week 2011, which takes place nationwide Nov. 13-19.

The Geography Education Program is made up of two components: geo-literacy and educational outreach. Geo-literacy requires understanding how human, ecological and geophysical systems are interconnected, as well as the ability to apply that understanding to sound decision-making and problem-solving.

“Being geo-literate in the 21st century is very important, especially since we are living in such an interconnected world. I don’t think that society places much emphasis on it. It needs to be more of a priority in schools and even in our homes,” Adames-Smith said.

Roderick Neumann, chairman of  Department of Global and Sociocultural Studies (GSS) and Adames-Smith’s academic advisor, said all the programs in GSS are designed to sharpen critical thinking skills and prepare them for challenges just like the National Geographic internship.

“This is very exciting and quite an accomplishment for both Chari and the FIU family. Only one student before her, a master’s student, has been awarded an internship position with National Geographic,” Neumann said. “The knowledge set and training provided to our students prepare them well for a career in geography or a related field.”

Adames-Smith grew up in a U.S. Air Force household and lived throughout the continent, the Caribbean and Hawaii. She credits the ecological and cultural diversity of these environments with sparking her curiosity of environmental and cultural studies.

“My fascination with world cultures, international affairs and development studies led me to major in international relations,” she said. “But I also developed an interest in oceanography, geology and environmental studies after having lived in so many different places. I took some geography courses, and I realized that this field would allow me to fulfill those interests.”

Adames-Smith’s professional goals include pursuing graduate study and participating in the Peace Corps, Foreign Service or U.S. Agency for International Development.

“Through my work, I hope to help people understand the value in geography because it allows us to see things from different perspectives and it helps us make better, more well-informed choices,” Adames-Smith said.

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