Empowering Community College Students' Geospatial Education through Virtual Practical Training

Practical training is important for community college students to gain high-impact real-world experience. This study aims to evaluate the impact of practical training of remote internships of community college and two-year associate degree students on spatiotemporal GIS learning during the pandemic. Anonymous pre- and post-internship surveys and in-person focus groups were conducted, ensuring the collection of quantitative and qualitative data. Outcomes reveal discernible enhancements across all skill domains, encompassing technical proficiencies and soft skills such as research, presentation, and time management. Findings provide valuable insights for refining the efficacy of similar internship programs.