When it comes to finding your path in life, sometimes the best guidance comes from those closest to you. For sisters Giulianna and Ella Giordano, their shared roots in engineering and construction paved the way to pursue a Master’s in Geographic Information Science (GIS) – and to do so simultaneously.

Shared Curiosity, A Shared Calling

Growing up surrounded by engineering discussions, the Giordano sisters developed a natural interest in the built environment and the systems that shape it. “GIS is so cool!” says Giulianna. “I just love being able to look into trends and follow data patterns all over the world.” What began with a fascination for Google Earth and international travel evolved into a passion for mapmaking and data analysis, rooted in both technical skill and spiritual wonder. “Seeing God’s beauty throughout the world made me want to explore more of what He has made—and GIS lets me do that.”

Ella’s path began a bit differently. Initially interested in forensic science, she followed advice from her father, grandfather, and great uncle to pursue civil engineering. She discovered a love for civil engineering while studying at LeTourneau University, and when her younger sister came home over Christmas break talking about the GIS master’s program at Calvin, Ella was intrigued. “God had already placed a desire in my heart to get a master’s degree,” she says. “When Giulianna told me about Calvin’s GIS program, it piqued my interest.”

Studying Side-by-Side

While sharing an academic path has come with its logistical challenges—like coordinating time on their shared high-powered computer for ArcGIS software—the sisters agree that their joint journey has been a blessing. “It’s been enjoyable to discuss the content and how we enjoy what we’re learning,” says Giulianna. “It’s definitely grown our relationship by teaching us how to communicate and collaborate in an academic setting.”

Ella echoes the sentiment. “We’ve bonded over shared frustrations with assignments and software,” she says. “It’s been great to have someone in the same time zone to work through courses together.”

Careers in Motion

Despite the demands of grad school, both sisters have careers that integrate their engineering backgrounds with their growing GIS expertise.

Giulianna works for the Santa Clara County Water District as part of a pipeline design team, where she improves pump stations and delivery pipelines. “I truly do get to tie my Civil Engineering and GIS degrees together—I get to build pipeline maps!” she says.

Ella is a Transportation Engineer with Caltrans, the California Department of Transportation. She’s currently managing a project that includes constructing a pedestrian overpass over Highway 1 and widening the highway to add a Bus on Shoulder Lane. “It’s a lot,” she admits about balancing school and work, “but I know this degree will help me stay relevant with technology and open up opportunities.”

Bringing Faith and Purpose Into the Classroom

One of the most meaningful aspects of the program for both sisters has been the integration of faith with education. In a GIS assignment mapping Paul’s second missionary journey from the book of Acts, Giulianna saw firsthand how biblical content and technical training could coexist. “It was a neat way to integrate faith into my education and build our biblical geographic knowledge.”

The final project in GEO 565: Business Location Intelligence stood out for both sisters as a favorite. Each found a real-world client to assist, applying semester-long learning to practical problems. Giulianna helped a local developer in her hometown, while Ella worked with a nonprofit sports association searching for a new indoor facility. 

Looking Forward

Whether building California’s transportation infrastructure or designing the future of water systems, the Giordano sisters are charting meaningful paths—powered by their education, strengthened by each other, and grounded in faith.