One of Extension's Rising Stars

Scott Begg

Spring is often a good time for re-evaluating life's goals and directions. The sun encourages new growth from the ground and makes us think of our own new beginnings and fresh starts. This spring, UCR Extension will help people make new starts and strengthen their educational foundation.

Just ask Scott Begg. Begg, 42, a graduate of UC Riverside, has had some experience starting over. His father was a chaplain in the U.S. Navy. As a child growing up, Begg often found himself uprooted and replanted in nearby locales like Nevada and Virginia and far flung regions like Japan.

In 1993, Begg moved to Riverside for the sole purpose of attaining his master's degree in biology. At the time, he thought he might pursue his ambition to teach college students.

"I was interested in teaching psychology and evolution at the college level," Begg said.

He earned his master's degree at UC Riverside but found that with the current economy, teaching positions at the university level were few and far between. Many of his fellow graduates were teaching several classes—but the classes were at different universities. Begg didn't want to spend half of his life on the freeway traveling between teaching assignments.

He tried his hand as a public school teacher but quickly decided against that.

"I knew that I wasn't going to stay in teaching," Begg said.

So what to do? Begg saved up his money and returned to school. He enrolled at UCR Extension and within three months, he earned the Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Because he had no practical experience, he volunteered to work as an assistant with the city of Ontario in its geographic information systems department. Several months later, that turned into a paid position.

Today Begg works as a GIS analyst in the planning department for Omnitrans, the public transit system for the San Bernardino Valley.

"GIS is definitely a growing field," Begg said. "Everyone will basically have to use it."

The time spent to return to school paid off for Begg.

"(Coursework) really used up that summer, almost every day of the week. Some days, classes were all day," Begg said. "In the end, I got a lot out of it. It certainly was worth it. I recommend GIS as a real possibility for a career change."

This spring, when you're planting seeds for change, think of UCR Extension as a garden of opportunity.

John F. Azzaretto
Vice Chancellor, Public Service and
International Programs; and
Dean, University Extension and
Summer Sessions, UC Riverside