Esri Young Professionals Network Blog

How does a graduate degree in Geospatial Science translate into real-world industry connections? As a 2026 Esri UC Student Assistant, I got an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the conference. Between presenting my graduate research, getting hands-on career guidance, and learning directly from leaders like Jack Dangermond and Dr. Dawn Wright, it was an unforgettable experience. Read on for my key takeaways and career inspiration from an incredible week in San Diego.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to work at the intersection of technology, environmental stewardship, and community impact, then step into the shoes of a Water Account Manager for a day.

Water touches every aspect of life — from the tap in your kitchen to the rivers that power cities. As a Water Account Manager, your mission is to help utilities, municipalities, and organizations use GIS technology to better manage this precious resource.

Let’s walk through a typical day.

Esri Community will be entering a Read-Only period starting August 13th. This is a required part of the platform migration process during which content can be viewed, but no new posts, comments, kudos, or other forms of engagement can be added. This article includes details about items not automatically migrating to the new platform and optional steps members can take to preserve them.

For most of my undergraduate years, I felt like I was a step behind everyone else. While classmates seemed to know where they were going, I did not.

I had no clear path, no obvious calling, and a quiet, constant sense that other people had figured out something I had not. I was not failing, but I was not finding my place either.

The distance between those two versions of me, the one who felt lost and the one whose map ended up on that wall. Because that distance is walkable, and I want to show you the path I actually took.

Read the full article below:

Esri Community is migrating to a new platform technology. Learn more in this announcement!

If you’re interested in pursuing a career in GIS, you might be wondering: What skills do I already have that would be valuable? What skills do I need to develop? Do I enjoy the technical side of GIS, or the storytelling and communication side?

In this blog, learn how to became an Esri Intern, what a typical day looks like, the skills that can help you succeed, and advice for anyone thinking about applying. 

My name is Ludwig Spove, and I am an urban planning master student at Roskilde University in Denmark, and in this blog post I will talk about my experiences learning GIS in relation to urban planning and personal development.

YPN Miami is here! The newest Esri Young Professionals Network (YPN) chapter is bringing together GIS professionals across South Florida, the Southeast United States, and Latin America. Learn how we're building a community focused on networking, collaboration, professional growth, and connecting the next generation of geospatial leaders.

Okay so real talk - I didn't really dread the word "networking." I just had a completely wrong understanding of what it meant.

Read this blog post on how to go about networking in a way that is authentic and realistic.