Esri Young Professionals Network Blog

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

Hi all! My name is Evan and I am here to talk about some integral things in my life that brought me to be a lover of geography and a supporter and enthusiast. 

I want to start a conversation with everyone in this community to see the things that brought you to GIS!

My name is Susan Jarvis and would like to share how my experiences in GIS and passion for cadastral work led me to a fulfilling role within the Department of Defense.

In this blog post, I will be covering my career journey, navigating a GIS career in the federal government, and the importance of networking and community.

Esri’s massive open online courses (MOOCs) are back in 2025! Read this blog to learn about Esri's MOOCs and the 2025 schedule.