Building Networks and Skills: My Unforgettable Experience as a Student Assistant at Esri User Conference
As a young individual nearing the completion of a bachelor’s degree in marketing, I made the strategic decision to attend Esri User Conference, the world’s largest GIS conference, by being a student assistant. My name is Jocelyn Tores, I am a 4th year undergraduate student at the University of Redlands (UofR) majoring in Marketing and Public Speaking and here was my unforgettable experience being a student assistant at Esri User Conference (UC).
I applied to become a Student Assistant for the 2024 Esri UC in San Diego, California in February 2024 and was thrilled to learn of my acceptance that April. In the weeks leading up to the conference, my excitement was palpable. I recognized that this would be pivotal for my career development.
Conferences are crucial for professional growth as they provide opportunities for networking, gaining insights, and acquiring practical experience‒especially when you’re a college student. This was my first conference, and I was eager to immerse myself in the world of Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Connecting with Esri Young Professionals Network
From the outset, a highly valuable resource I leveraged was Esri Young Professionals Network (YPN). Esri YPN is a network and community designed to support emerging professionals who are embarking on their careers in the GIS field. This platform offers a wealth of resources that cater to a broad spectrum of experiences—from seasoned professionals sharing their expertise to newcomers navigating their initial steps in the industry. They have a plethora of blog posts on Esri Community on topics like resume best practices, internship experiences, social media tips, training, mentorship, and overall professional guidance.
I was fortunate to contribute a blog post of my own story, detailing how mentorship played a pivotal role in my own journey. Publishing my first blog led to a surge in connections from individuals who resonated with my experiences. It was profoundly rewarding to engage with others who shared their own stories and perseverance.
Arriving at Esri User Conference
As I became more comfortable sharing my narrative and immersing myself in the GIS and Esri community, I met many individuals who would also be attending Esri UC through social media. One notable connection was with Darion David Mahadeo, who reached out to express his enthusiasm about us both participating as student assistants. Our mutual excitement about stepping out of our comfort zones forged an immediate bond between us.
As the conference approached, I experienced a shift from exhilaration to apprehension. Fortunately, I was not alone—other future student assistants shared similar feelings, and together, we supported each other and navigated the challenges as a cohesive team.
Student assistants were required to arrive three days before to prep for our duties and responsibilities during Esri UC . This early arrival allowed us to get familiar with our surroundings and with each other, as many of my fellow assistants were international students.
As a team, we engaged in discussions on strategies to maximize the success of our time at the conference. A number of assistants came prepared with multiple copies of their resumes, and some even brought business cards that included their social media profiles and contact details. This was important for two reasons (1) it ensured that we were well-equipped to present our resumes to prospective employers who might be in attendance and (2) it allowed us to take advantage of resume-building sessions. This came in handy as there was a designated area to post your resume for employers to review.
All Esri staff were extremely supportive of our efforts to make the most of our time at the conference. Supervisors were exceptionally accommodating, offering flexibility in adjusting shifts to ensure that we could participate in sessions of personal and professional interest. The overarching goal was to maximize our experience, so if we came across a session that would be beneficial to our professional growth, we could make schedule adjustments.
Embracing My Role as a Student Assistant
The conference officially kicked off and things escalated quickly. I transitioned from helping in registration booths to handling the Esri store, activities desk, and swag table. I got so immersed in the activities that before I knew it, the day had flown by, and I'd interacted with over a hundred people!
I realized approaching people can be challenging, especially without an introduction. Sometimes people came up to me, while other times I had to initiate the conversation. It's important to remember that even experienced networkers feel nervous. Embrace the awkward moments! Conversations also might not always go as you'd hope, but don’t let that discourage you.
While there, I met many of my own LinkedIn connections in person for the first time. I also had the opportunity to attend the Plenary, which was an incredible experience with over 20,000 attendees. The sight of so many seats in one large space was truly impressive. Additionally, I participated in a resume-building workshop hosted by Esri YPN, where I engaged with various employers who provided valuable advice and feedback on my resume. I deeply appreciated the open discussions that were a part of these sessions, as they were very beneficial.
On the third day, I gave a talk about the YPN Ambassador Program at the Esri YPN booth in the exhibit hall. Given my involvement in the YPN community, I had become an ambassador and was now sharing the benefits of being a YPN Ambassador with others. Although I was nervous, I received a lot of support. As a student assistant, I was able to use my skills and knowledge to educate others.
Reflections From My Experience
As the end of the conference arrived, I took time to reflect on what I learned, the people I met, and how I planned to move forward. I believe it’s important to publicly share experiences as they can offer value to others. And I am doing that through sharing my experience with you today having published this blog post.
Overall, Esri UC provided me the opportunity to meet individuals I wouldn’t have encountered otherwise. It took me out of my comfort zone by speaking at the YPN booth and connecting with professionals in diverse fields.
You can learn more about Esri Student Programs on this webpage. You can connect with me through LinkedIn and feel free to comment if you have any questions!
