pursue career in GIS

SIFENWAKITOLA

Hey everyone,

I need some advice. I moved to the US in 2024 and I'm trying to get a job in GIS.

My background is in Urban and Regional Planning from a school in Ethiopia. I worked as a Junior Urban Planner on a big project, and I used ArcMap a ton for about a year and a half, both in school and on the job.

I know ArcMap is basically retired now, and I feel like my skills are a bit out of date. I'm worried about getting a GIS job here in the US.

What should I do?

• What are the most important GIS skills people are hiring for right now?

• Should I get a certification or take some online classes? If so, which ones?

• How can I meet people in the GIS field here?

Any tips on what to do next would be super helpful. Thanks a lot!  

JA7

I recommend looking at GIS job postings that you are interested in your area to see what skills and certifications they are looking for. Are there any that you are repeatedly seeing listed? Any that stand out to you as something you'd be interested in? That way you can get a feel for what employers in your area are looking for. 

You might also want to check out the Esri Young Professionals Network.