GIS Career Pathways: Professional Services
Starting Out at University: Economics, Curiosity, and a Business Mindset
I immediately sought an opportunity to learn more firsthand through an internship with the Esri Sales Team in the St. Louis Regional Office. During my internship I was able to take training with ArcGIS technology as well as learn about the sales process, industry patterns and use cases, and how to interact with and support customers. I was also encouraged to begin building my internal network, which has been critical establishing and growing in my GIS career. I was quickly hooked—not only by the application of technology, but also by the culture and opportunities I discovered within the GIS industry and Esri as a company. As I approached graduation, I immediately applied to formally work with Esri; I was thrilled to be hired full-time to continue with the team I had interned. The internal network that I was able to form, as well as my deep interest in GIS and how it can support organizations’ success are what I believe led me to be hired.
Starting Out at Esri: Esri: Building Relationships and Expanding my Impact
My career with Esri officially began on the Global Business Development team as an Inside Sales Account Manager. Inside sales sharpened my ability to ask the right questions, uncover challenges, and help customers envision what’s possible. I learned the internal systems and processes used throughout the company. Starting out at Esri as an Inside Sales Representative is a great entry level position into Esri.
From Inside Sales, I transitioned to a position as a Local Government Account Manager. This role was pivotal in my career growth. Working closely with counties and municipalities taught me how to understand government challenges of varying degree, build long-term relationships, and convey how GIS can transform public service. This Account Manager role allowed me to be more proactive and strategic in the business I did with my assigned accounts.
Finding My Place in Professional Services
I later took an opportunity with an Esri Business Partner to deepen my experience in GIS consulting and business development. After gaining valuable experience—and a true love for consulting work—I joined Esri Professional Services as a Consultant.
In this role, I partner with customers to understand their needs and align resources to design, implement, and scale GIS solutions. The work I’m a part of spans ArcGIS Enterprise deployments, system architecture, ArcGIS Indoors, geospatial strategy, education modernization, and Esri Advantage Program planning. My day-to-day work is never boring. I am often on calls with customers and my Global Business Development colleagues to discuss how we can support our customer’s needs and overcome challenges. My primary industry focuses are local government and education, but even with these focused industries the work being done is always varied and never dull. Some important skills in this Professional Services role are:
- Open and honest communication between colleagues and customers
- Focus on customer success and create win-win situations
- Written skills to effectively communicate between team members and customers, specifically for proposing consulting work
- Teamwork, nobody knows every aspect of the technology and customer landscapes, therefore, understanding and aligning the value others can bring to the table is crucial
What I’ve Learned Along the Way
- Education-to-career paths aren’t always linear; I didn't have formal GIS studies in school
- Networking and exploring areas of interest are critical to career growth
- Communication is a technical skill
- GIS is ultimately about people (who are the absolute best)
- Saying “yes” to opportunities outside your comfort zone are the most rewarding
Let's Connect
I’m excited to continue growing within Esri Professional Services—working with organizations to modernize, scale, and innovate with GIS.
There are many fantastic careers open at Esri; I encourage you to see the current career listings and check the site regularly for updates on open positions.
I appreciate the opportunity to share my journey as a part of this blog, my time with Esri has been a very rewarding and fulfilling career. Please feel free to reach out to me directly with any questions, I’m happy to connect via LinkedIn!
