Empowering the Next Generation of GEOINT Experts: How USGIF Supports Your Journey
Are you passionate about:
- Using geospatial techniques to solve real-world challenges?
- Applying imagery and geospatial data to assess features and activities on the Earth’s surface?
- Current events and spending your free time reading up on the latest global challenges?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are already a “GEOINTer”, even if this is your first time hearing that expression. Don’t panic! This can serve as a primer for you on all things geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) and the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF), the organization that connects the community.
Formed in 2004, USGIF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational foundation dedicated to promoting the GEOINT tradecraft and strengthening the GEOINT field with government, industry, academia, and individuals who develop and apply GEOINT to national security challenges. Through our mission – Build the Community | Advance the Tradecraft | Accelerate Innovation - USGIF develops a deeper and better-connected GEOINT community and discipline.
USGIF achieves its mission through many events and programs. Whether you are a student, a recent graduate looking for your first job, or a young professional seeking new opportunities or to deepen your skills, USGIF can support you along your journey.
Young Professionals & USGIF
In 2009, recognizing a need for GEOINT young professionals to connect, USGIF created the Young Professionals Group (YPG). This group offers activities and programs that parallel the Foundation’s mission and serve the unique needs of its young professional members. USGIF’s YPG frequently collaborates with Esri’s Young Professionals Network (YPN) through both in-person events and virtual meet-ups. USGIF offers steeply discounted individual membership for young professionals and possibilities abound for you to make the most of that opportunity. Contact YPG@usgif.org to learn more and join.
GEOINT Symposium
USGIF’s annual GEOINT Symposium is the nation’s largest gathering of GEOINT professionals. The GEOINT 2025 Symposium will take place in St. Louis, MO from May 18 – 21. There is no shortage of avenues for young professionals to join in and expand their networks.
Golden Ticket Program
Each year, USGIF offers the Golden Ticket program as an opportunity for young professionals to earn participation in a competitive, exclusive program designed specifically for junior GEOINTers. The program includes mentoring sessions with senior GEOINT leaders, an invitation to USGIF’s Chairman’s Reception, full Symposium registration, and access to complimentary training opportunities. Applications open November 12th.
Student Posters
During GEOINT Foreword, the Symposium’s unclassified, science and technology preconference day, selected students are invited to present recently completed or ongoing academic research. Students present their work in two designated poster sessions. During these times, they engage with attendees and judges to discuss their research. The highest ranked poster presenter is invited back to present on stage at the following GEOINT Symposium. Applications open December 10th.
Trainings
Trainings provide an opportunity for GEOINT subject matter experts to share their skills and guide attendees through one-hour sessions focused on various aspects of GEOINT tradecraft, including applications, policy, methodologies, technology, and more. Submissions are open now through September 13th. Review the call for submissions to learn more and apply!
Lightning Talks
These five-minute presentations focus on one key point – this can be a nascent idea, a thriving project, a quick tip or demonstration, or even a cautionary tale. Lightning talks take place on the Exhibit Hall floor at the Innovation Hub, which serves as the venue for creative ideas to get the attention they deserve. Applications open November 4th.
Other USGIF Events
USGIF is much more than the GEOINT Symposium – we offer events all year long that range from technical workshops to professional development seminars to networking programs. Below is a round-up of some upcoming USGIF gatherings:
Illuminating GEOINT Career Paths
On September 24th, USGIF is hosting Illuminating GEOINT Career Paths in Herndon, VA. This event is sponsored by Esri and will feature a panel of senior leaders (including Esri’s Chris Oxendine, Ph.D.) sharing their distinct career journeys and exploring the diverse career pathways within the GEOINT community. Attendees will then break out for speed mentoring. These sessions allow you to delve into specific skills or topics quickly with an expert and can even pave the way for longer-term mentoring relationships. Registration is free – secure your spot today!
Women as Leaders Breakfast Series in St. Louis
While many of USGIF’s events occur in the northern Virginia region where our headquarters is located, we are also very active in the St. Louis region and beyond. This workshop in St. Louis on September 11th offers participants tools and strategies to help visualize a truly inclusive workplace. Led by facilitators who specialize in women’s leadership and gender equality, this event is free and open to all genders. Visit the event page to learn more and register.
GEOGala
USGIF’s annual black tie event returns December 5th with an evening of celebration and networking. Join us as we award the 2024 Arthur C. Lundahl – Thomas C. Finnie Lifetime Achievement Award and host a silent auction directly benefitting USGIF’s scholarship program. Register today and receive a young professionals discount!
Scholarship Program
Speaking of scholarships… USGIF has awarded more than $1.9M in scholarships since launching the program in 2004. While applications are currently closed, you can check out this year’s awardees and review the information page to start preparing your application. Applications will open in January 2025 with scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $15,000 available to graduating high school seniors, undergraduates, graduates, and Ph.D. students.
Working Groups & Communities of Interest
Working groups and communities of interest serve as collaborative spaces for professionals around the world to connect and further the GEOINT tradecraft. Some of these groups focus on a specific field or technical area within GEOINT, while others highlight a certain community or region. Many meet virtually and all are open to USGIF members. Peruse the groups and you will be sure to find a match that relates to you or your work:
- Building Respect, Inclusion, and Diversity for the GEOINT Enterprise (BRIDGE) Working Group
- Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence Working Group
- Modeling, Simulation, & Gaming Working Group
- NRO Industry Advisory Working Group
- Small Business Community of Interest
- Space Situational Awareness Working Group
- St. Louis Area Community of Interest
- Tradecraft Working Group
- Young Professionals Working Group
Whether you are brand new to the geospatial world or a seasoned GEOINTer, USGIF has something to offer you. GEOINT encompasses so many career paths – including cartography, software development, intelligence analysis, data science, imagery analysis, geospatial education, climate science, geospatial engineering, defense work, and many more. Take the next step in your geospatial career by engaging with USGIF and discovering what is possible for you in the GEOINT world. And remember – be geospatially intelligent!
