My Journey to Becoming an Esri YPN Ambassador and Why I Recommend It
As a mid-career professional making a significant leap into GIS, I am excited to be starting an internship with a government agency as a geospatial analyst for the 2024/2025 academic year.
This transition was ignited by my post-pandemic graduate studies in Urban Planning (M.A. in 2022) and Geospatial Intelligence (Current M.S.) at the University of Southern California (USC).
These studies fueled my passion for Esri technologies and opened doors to various ambassador roles, eventually leading me to become a YPN Ambassador.
Discovering the True Meaning of a GIS "Young Professional"
Given that I graduated from USC for the first time in 1996, I was happy to learn that being part of the Esri YPN supports professionals who are "young in their GIS career" rather than being young in age.
At its core, Esri YPN is a community of both starters and leaders. It's not a community we age out of but rather a community to take an active role in and evolve to match our skills and interests.
Geospatial technologies are characterized by continuous learning, sharing, and evolving. This community doesn’t just advance; it grows together, ensuring that everyone, no matter their age or experience level, has an essential role to play.
Building on a Foundation of Diverse Experiences through Ambassador Programs
My professional journey has been deeply enriched by seeking out ambassador programs. An example of this is being an IC CAE (Intelligence Community - Center for Academic Excellence) Scholar, where I gained critical insights into global security challenges through the lens of geospatial intelligence.
I then took the steps to become a Women Techmakers Ambassador and a Microsoft Student Learn Ambassador. This was where I delved deeper into technology and advocacy, significantly expanding my network and enhancing my cloud, machine learning, and security skills.
These ambassador roles laid a solid foundation for experiencing first-hand the power of community engagement.
Engaging with Esri as a YPN Ambassador
I first learned about the YPN Ambassador program during the annual LA Geospatial Summit held every year in February at USC. This year I had the privilege to present a StoryMap project and visit the various booths during the networking hour. During this time, I visited the Esri booth and met Rosemary Boone, Esri YPN Advisory Board Member, where she explained the YPN Ambassador program and its benefits in community building, having an online presence, and overall networking.
I took her up on the offer and went through the steps of becoming a YPN Ambassador! It felt like a natural progression in my career and identity as an emerging geospatial professional. This ambassador program connected me with a global network of professionals where I learned about exciting projects, technologies, and opportunities. I shared my own experience and connected with other young professionals, which amplified my professional visibility and skill development.
Now as a YPN Ambassador, I've already discovered a wealth of inspiring stories within the community. For example, I recently learned about some NASA opportunities through this blog post, and I was excited to share these programs with my academic department, where it was quickly amplified to create potential opportunities for other students.
It's these kinds of interactions that highlight the limitless potential of where we can go professionally even if it still feels like it is only a burgeoning career path.
Take the Steps to Become a YPN Ambassador
Being part of the Esri YPN is more than just a career move; it's an opportunity to make a significant impact within the GIS community. For those of you already part of Esri YPN, becoming a YPN Ambassador can offer new ways to contribute meaningfully and develop professionally.
It’s not just about advancing your own skills but about contributing to a community that thrives on innovation and mutual support. The ambassador program gives you an added sense of connection and collaboration with a company, a mission, a community, and its leading technological tools, that are at the foundation of the work we do as GIS learners and practitioners.
Complete the steps outlined in the infographic and then apply to get your personalized certificate and official badge!
If you have any questions about starting this journey or want to share your experiences, please comment below or reach out directly—I’m here to support and learn alongside you as we continue to build this vibrant ecosystem together. I hope you'll join me. Get started as a YPN Ambassador here.