Hello everyone! My name is Ludovic, and I am excited to share my internship experience at 52°North. Over three months, I had the incredible opportunity to dive deep into geospatial innovation, tackle exciting challenges, and grow both professionally and personally. I come from Mbouda, a city in the West region of Cameroon, which is uniquely situated near the majestic Mount Bamboutos (2,740 metres high). This iconic mountain, rich in biodiversity and cultural heritage, is a natural treasure. Growing up in such a place has deeply inspired my passion for geography and geospatial technologies.
Currently, I’m pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Geoinformatics at the University of Applied Sciences in Bochum, Germany. My passion for DevOps technologies began during an Enterprise GIS course at university, where I discovered how tools like Docker and Kubernetes could revolutionize geospatial data management. So, when the opportunity to intern at 52°North presented itself, I knew I had found the perfect place to deepen my expertise.
My internship at 52°North lasted from August 5th to November 8th, 2024, and it was centered around the KomMonitor project—a powerful geospatial monitoring and analysis tool. My tasks included extending the KomMonitor stack by integrating the Nominatim Geocoding service into the Docker and Kubernetes environments, enhancing the platform’s capabilities. I also evaluated various Kubernetes PostgreSQL operators to determine their practical applicability for KomMonitor. Additionally, I developed data management scripts in Python to optimize resource handling and streamline workflows within the KomMonitor framework. Each task not only challenged me technically but also gave me hands-on experience with the tools and methodologies shaping the future of geoinformatics.
Throughout my internship, I developed a strong foundation in DevOps and geospatial technologies. I gained experience in containerization with Docker and orchestration with Kubernetes, learned to integrate geocoding services into cloud environments, and automated complex processes with Python, which proved invaluable for resource management. Additionally, I deepened my understanding of deploying and maintaining geospatial services in cloud-based infrastructures.
What I enjoyed most about my time at 52°North was the combination of hands-on learning and team collaboration. The supportive environment allowed me to explore innovative solutions while working with experienced professionals. A special mention goes to Sebastian, whose guidance and patience made even the most challenging tasks manageable. The process of resolving complex issues, particularly in cloud deployments, was both rewarding and motivating.
This internship has fueled my passion for exploring the intersection of DevOps and geoinformatics. As I approach the final stages of my Bachelor’s degree, I plan to focus my thesis on “Cloud-Readiness of Classic GIS Stacks.” The goal is to investigate whether traditional GIS solutions, such as PygeoAPI, can be successfully migrated to the cloud or if on-premises deployment remains the better option. I am hopeful to continue this research with the support of 52°North and further develop my expertise in this exciting field. My journey at 52°North has been nothing short of transformative. I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects and for the chance to grow alongside such a talented team. I look forward to applying the skills I’ve gained here as I continue my exploration of geospatial innovation.
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