"Young specialist" is not an age.

Liudmyla Mandruliak

Today I was thinking about what I would like to share, especially with those who are just starting their journey in GIS, geoinformatics or STEM education.
I took my first Esri GIS Fundamentals certification course yesterday. It lasted only 2 hours and 35 minutes. To be honest, it seemed too small to mention. I even thought, "Is this really worth sharing after several years of working with GIS in education?"
But today our team received an official review of the educational program "Cyberjura: Aerospace Intelligence", which was highly appreciated and recommended for implementation in extracurricular and general secondary education institutions of Ukraine. This program is the result of collaboration and shared commitment to innovative educational development within our Project Office.
The contrast between these two moments made me realize something important.

You can be an expert in one field and a complete novice in another, and there is nothing contradictory about that.
You can develop educational programs, implement ArcGIS in schools, mentor students and still sit down as a student to take a basic course. In fact, I believe this is what professional growth should look like.
I always liked the expressions "young specialist" and "young researcher". Today I realized that they are not really about age.
They describe a way of thinking.
As long as we want to learn new things, ask questions, and take the next first step, we remain "young" in our profession. So, whether you're taking your first Esri course, building your first StoryMap, or wondering if you know enough to contribute to our community, remember that every expert has been where you are now.
The learning never ends—and that's perhaps the most inspiring part of working with geospatial technology.
Thank you, Esri, for creating opportunities for further education.
I thank my colleagues for building meaningful educational initiatives together.
And thank you to everyone in this community who reminds me that there is always one more first step to take.

#Esri #GIS #YPN #Cyberjura

Faiez

@ЛюдмилаМандруляк

Thank you for sharing this inspiring reflection with the Esri community. It highlights one of the most important values of GIS and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education: the commitment to continuous learning and professional growth.

I especially appreciate the idea that expertise and curiosity should always go together. Even with years of experience, every professional can remain a learner—exploring new tools, gaining new perspectives, and taking new steps forward.

This mindset is what makes the geospatial community so strong. Every course, certification, project, and educational initiative contributes to the growth of our shared knowledge and helps us inspire the next generation of GIS professionals.

The example of the "Cyberjura: Aerospace Intelligence" program also shows the impact that collaboration, innovation, and dedication can have on education. Bringing together technology and creative approaches opens new opportunities for students and educators alike.

Congratulations on these achievements, and thank you for reminding us that every expert was once a beginner. The willingness to continue learning is what keeps our GIS community growing and moving forward.

Best,

Faiez