topic Re: GIS Portfolio ideas in Esri Young Professionals Network Networking

GIS Portfolio ideas

PanasheShammarChisenga — Wed, 31 May 2023 17:07:43 GMT

Hi guys

I graduated last year in December with a Degree in Surveying and geomatics and my desire is to work in the GIS industry. However, one of the problems i have been facing is that as i apply for GIS jobs nothing seems to materialize so i have been doing some research into what i can do to increase my chances of getting employed and one of the standout hacks i found out is to have a GIS Portfolio. I do not have a GIS Portfolio so i wanted to ask you guys for some ideas on how to get started with my GIS portfolio i.e what are some of the GIS products that i can create for my portfolio.

Re: GIS Portfolio ideas

AdamCarnow — Wed, 31 May 2023 17:20:28 GMT

Here is a URISA Webinar on Building Your Professional GIS Portfolio: https://youtu.be/wBP-s4fP5uQ

Re: GIS Portfolio ideas

RosemaryBoone — Wed, 31 May 2023 17:33:01 GMT

Hi there! YES in fact we had a webinar speaker @KylieTokar give a presentation on her own GIS portfolio/website she created that helped get her hired. You can watch the recording here.

Here is a blog about examples of how others used ArcGIS StoryMaps to build a portfolio or resume.

I hope these help!

Re: GIS Portfolio ideas

PanasheShammarChisenga — Wed, 31 May 2023 19:05:34 GMT

Thank you !! Let me check it out.

Re: GIS Portfolio ideas

PanasheShammarChisenga — Wed, 31 May 2023 19:05:52 GMT

Thanks so much

Re: GIS Portfolio ideas

DanielLeón81 — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 14:44:56 GMT

Like you, a year ago I was in the same position without knowing how to materialize my job search for lack of a portfolio. However, I started as a freelancer on Upwork, freelancer.com and fiver which has allowed me to have a large portfolio of projects. I recommend you to start looking for small projects on these freelancer platforms where besides creating content for your portfolio you will be able to earn a small income. Good luck. Regards

Re: GIS Portfolio ideas

RosemaryBoone — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 16:58:33 GMT

Hi @PanasheShammarChisenga - The URISA Vanguard Cabinet read your post and would like to share this with you:

Maptastic Resources - examples of GIS portfolios across the industry: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1aLOpW2oQHw5r2vc70o8TiM5SJctR9TuH4a70d-ZtbXA/edit#gid=248793142
URISA Build Your GIS Portfolio Webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBP-s4fP5uQ

cc: @URISAVanguard @BrookeHatcher1 @SidPandey

Re: GIS Portfolio ideas

PanasheShammarChisenga — Fri, 02 Jun 2023 20:27:05 GMT

thank you so much

Re: GIS Portfolio ideas

RobinBruns1 — Sun, 18 Jun 2023 03:41:56 GMT

Make a map of your hometown or a place that is meaningful to you. This could also be a networking opportunity if you engage with your local government to see if this print or web product is something that could actually help them.

Re: GIS Portfolio ideas

LuciaJohnson — Sun, 18 Jun 2023 18:49:02 GMT

Hi!

I’m at a similar level as you are. I just graduated and am currently working on my portfolio. You have some great suggestions for setting up a portfolio here, but I have a couple of suggestions to add about how to come up with new projects to add to the portfolio.

To decide what kinds of tools you should use for creating projects, you can take a look at the job descriptions of the types of jobs you are targeting. If they list specific tools like ArcGIS Online, or ArcGIS Pro, it makes sense to use those tools in your projects. You don’t have to cover every tool listed, but it’s a good idea to get really comfortable with at least one or two of them. You can also look at the descriptions to see what kinds of products they are looking for such as analyses, web maps, automations etc.

One strategy you can use to choose the topics of the projects you are working on is to focus on projects in the domain that you are targeting. If you are looking for environmental jobs, you can work on projects such as mapping the consequences of a drought or changes in land cover over time. If you’re targeting infrastructure jobs, maybe a map of rail lines or major roads will work better.

Additionally, you can show some personality by making projects related to your personal interests. For example, I am currently working on a web mapping application about owl sightings, and my previous project was a gardening website, because those are things that I am interested in.

Re: GIS Portfolio ideas

MafaldaBastosMoura — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 15:57:13 GMT

Could you send more helpful resources in the theme of GIS Portfolio?

Re: GIS Portfolio ideas

Chris_Lyons_KY — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 19:22:51 GMT

Great information; thanks for sharing!

Re: GIS Portfolio ideas

SydneyATurpin — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 17:41:38 GMT

In my experience, GIS portfolios are very unique based on the work that you do! I'm currently working on mine, and it looks a lot different than some examples because my experience is different. Any projects that you have worked on using GIS products can speak to your experience with the application!

Re: GIS Portfolio ideas

Victoria_Gramlich — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 20:12:37 GMT

As someone just starting to build a GIS portfolio, the comments in this thread are very helpful. Thank you!