Esri Young Professionals Network Blog

As a young professional or student, it is important to find ways to maintain and advance your ArcGIS and GIS knowledge and skills. Esri Academy is an amazing resource with thousands of trainings for ArcGIS and GIS, but what does that entail?

As you look through the course catalog, you will see a variety of trainings and courses covering everything and anything GIS and ArcGIS.  Whether you want to take a course with an instructor or sneak in a seminar during lunch, Esri Academy has it!  The different formats can help you learn in the way that is best for you and your busy schedule. Let’s dive-in to the different training formats.

Starting a new GIS department at an existing company is unpredictable. Use these clues to set realistic expectations for yourself and your company. 

There are 2 “who’s” to consider when you are discovering what your GIS department will become.

1. Who will support you
2. Who will be using your systems

My name is Olivia Koch, I’m an undergraduate student at the University of Rhode Island studying Environmental Science and Management, and in this blog post I will be talking about my experience working with GIS for facility operations in higher education and how it broadened my perspective on the uses of GIS.

Did you know that 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of Esri YPN? In 2015, YPN started as a grass roots effort and was the first employee resource group ERGs to become official. Since then, YPN has grown to almost 20,000 members world-wide, 10 regional US chapters, an ambassador program with over 165 champions who spread the word on the benefits and resources available throught this community. 

Imagine harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to transform GIS from static maps into predictive, real-time decision-making tools. Whether it’s monitoring deforestation, predicting natural disasters like wildfires, or optimizing urban planning, this revolutionary integration is reshaping industries.

For students and young professionals, mastering these skills isn’t just an advantage—it’s essential for thriving in a rapidly evolving geospatial landscape.

This article explores groundbreaking insights dropped during the Esri UC Conference, real-world applications, and actionable steps to future-proof your GIS career. 

My name is Karla Nunez, Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Maryland, and in this blog post I share how I became a planetary scientist through taking an internship where I used GIS in geology.

My interest in becoming a planetary scientist began in my second year at Middlebury College. During that time, my academic advisor mentioned applying to research internships. Knowing how competitive these programs were, I applied to anything that remotely mentioned space and hoped for the best.

Isaac Smith discusses the transformative journey from a former Marine Corps military police officer and working dog handler transitioning to the civilian sector and discovering GIS.

Faced with challenges like career changes due to injuries and the search for a sense of purpose, Isaac found inspiration through education, contracting roles, and Esri’s Young Professionals Network. Isaac highlights how veterans can navigate career transitions and continue serving their communities in meaningful ways.

From starting as a self-proclaimed 'street economist' in Ghana to discovering the transformative power of GIS. Learn how my experiences with Ghana's Lands Commission and Ghana Water Company sparked my passion for spatial analysis, and how conferences, connections, and continuous learning propelled me into the world of GIS. To a non-GIS or entry-level GIS professional, discover how my journey can inspire you to carve your path in the ever-expanding geospatial field!

This blog post is about my discovery of GIS and Remote Sensing set me on a path to leading a project with NASA DEVELOP.

Imposter Syndrome is a funny concept, we feel like imposters on the inside, but the reality is, we’re all imposters. Nobody truly has the answer to everything and that’s okay!

My name is Lupe Perez, Business Operations Associate at Esri, and in this blog post I will talk about Imposter Syndrome and how you can overcome this obstacle to thrive in your career path.

“If you feel like an imposter that just means you’re trying something new” - Mel Robbins, New York Times best-selling author, The Mel Robbins Podcast