Interview with Alek Bachvarov, GIS and Databases Intern
Alek Bachvarov studies Urbanism at the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy and has been an intern at Esri Bulgaria for several months. His curiosity about how spaces are structured led him to GIS, which he sees as a powerful tool for solving real problems. In this interview, Alek shares more about his internship, our team, and his discoveries and challenges.
Tell us briefly about yourself…
My interest in spaces has always been linked to the question, “Why is it like this here, but different there?” Naturally, that led me to GIS. I see it as a tool that turns abstract ideas into something you can point to on a map and say, “Here is the problem — and here is the solution.” Alongside this, I do copywriting in various fields because I love content that is pleasant to read — even when it’s about infrastructure. And in my free time — if any remains — I do competitive debating (both organizationally and actively). There, you learn to organize your thoughts almost as well as a well-structured ArcGIS project.
How did you enter the world of GIS?
The first step was at university — GIS is often mentioned there but rarely understood. Real interest came when I saw how much can be communicated with just one map. I realized these are not just points and lines, but a way to organize the world and find meaning in the chaos.
Why did you choose an internship at Esri Bulgaria?
When you hear GIS, you think of Esri — the global flagship of GIS. Having the opportunity to work with people who deeply understand the significance of informational maps and who think of maps not just as a product but as a language to speak about the future — that is an opportunity you don’t let go.
What was your “wow” moment during the internship?
There wasn’t one big “wow,” but a series of small enlightenments — like when you configure something correctly for the first time and it works without crashing half the application. Few things are more satisfying than something working without error.
Which GIS tool became your superpower?
Survey123 Connect. At first out of necessity, then with pleasure, I started using it. At some point, I learned to connect all kinds of surveys, maps, databases — maybe soon I’ll learn to connect the coffee machine as well.
Tell us about a specific project or task during the internship and your role and contribution?
I worked on an application that at first glance didn’t even look like typical “GIS work” — but that was the charm. It turned out GIS can easily underpin solutions that on the surface look more like management tools than maps. The goal was to monitor administrative assets — who rents them, how much they cost, whether they are free, if payment is made… all things that otherwise would get lost in spreadsheets. My role was to build the public-facing part of the app and make it clear and intuitive so any user could navigate it easily.
I developed logic that allows only certain assets to be reserved depending on their status, to avoid confusion. Also, I linked several layers with separate Survey123 surveys to collect and update data according to context — for example, whether an asset is in the process of being rented or already reserved. It was a great opportunity to see how GIS can drive an entire process behind the scenes without the user even realizing they are using a geospatial system.
My mentor taught me to…
…organize things so they not only work but can also be understood by someone else (or by myself a week later).
What is your most valuable lesson from the internship?
That there is always something new to surprise you. You may think you know the tool well, but it hides menus like an old wardrobe — something new always pops up.
If you make a map or an application — what would it be about?
A map that collects microlocal stories, archives, old city plans, photos, and memories from people — to reveal the hidden layers beneath neighborhoods that are not marked on official maps. It would include sound archives and photos overlaid with satellite imagery.
Our internship program is called “Start a GIS Career with Perspective” — how do you see the perspective for young people in GIS in Bulgaria?
The perspective is increasingly promising — slowly but surely access to publicly significant data is opening up, and institutions are beginning to realize that good governance is impossible without spatial analysis. You no longer need to be a jack-of-all-trades with connections to make a meaningful map — you just need to know what to look for and where to click. For young people, this means they can participate in real solutions without waiting for titles, age, or approval from someone who “doesn’t have time now.”
Choose:
- GIS at the desk or GIS in the field?
GIS at the desk for sure, because from a bird’s eye view you can see many more details that are otherwise hidden behind bushes.
- Python or ModelBuilder?
Although I don’t know Python, I know Python is the right answer. It’s there waiting for me to learn it.
- Coffee or map first thing in the morning?
Coffee. Otherwise, the map would only show the way to the bed.
- Map: Mars or ocean floor?
Ocean floor. In the end, we have to tidy our own house before we go fix the space rocks.
- Mentor or GeoAI?
Mentor. GeoAI may be smart, but it can’t look you in the eye critically and say, “Hey, you’re tangled up here.” (and you actually respect that).
How do you see the map of your future?
Slowly zooming out. Right now, I’m in my neighborhood — learning, working, experimenting. But over time, I’m zooming out to larger scales — more responsibility, clearer direction, more sustainable contribution. And the legend of the map is still being written.
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