Take Your Career to the Next Level at the 2024 AAG Annual Meeting
This April, the American Association of Geographers (AAG) will hold its 2024 Annual Meeting in Honolulu, HI. A convening of over 5,000 geographers and geospatial professionals from academia, government and industry, this conference features a curated track of over 60 Careers & Professional Development panel sessions, workshops, networking events and other activities catered specifically to students and young professionals.
“The AAG conference provides students with a platform to share and present ideas while building meaningful connections through networking opportunities. This pathway to success through connections was instrumental in launching my career in GIS,” says Samuel Akinnusi, who attended last year’s AAG in Denver, CO as a student volunteer, before landing a job at Esri in December 2023.
Not able to travel to Hawaii? The AAG offers a hybrid conference format with many options for virtual participation and reduced rates for student attendees. Below is just a small sample of sessions and events that will take place at the conference. To view the full schedule, visit: 2024 AAG Annual Meeting - AAG.
Careers & Professional Development Center
Located on the Third Floor of the Hawaii Convention Center, the Careers & Professional Development Center is a central hub within the conference venue featuring over 60 panel sessions, workshops and networking events related to careers and professional development for geographers. A great opportunity for students and young professionals to meet, interact, network, and learn about geospatial careers opportunities.
Career Mentoring
The AAG conference will feature three in-person and three virtual career mentoring sessions. These sessions offer a unique opportunity to engage with and expand your network of geospatial pros!
Career Mentoring I: Government and Nonprofit Career Paths
Tuesday, April 16th ǀ 9:00 – 10:20 am ǀ 313B (O`ahu), Third Floor, Hawai'i Convention Center
Mentors:
- Kyle Titlow, U.S. Department of Transportation
- Natasha Rivers, BECU
- Maurice McHugh, NOAA
- Arvind Bhuta, U.S. Forest Service
- Austen Lorenz, U.S. Geological Survey
- Angel Perez, U.S. Geological Survey
- Heidi Crawford, U.S. Census Bureau
- Catherine dL. Tan, Cambridge University
- Joshua Comenetz, U.S. Census Bureau
- Shaun Williams, Center for Naval Analyses
Career Mentoring II: Private Sector Career Paths
Wednesday, April 17th ǀ 9:00 – 10:20 am ǀ 313B (O`ahu), Third Floor, Hawai'i Convention Center
Mentors:
- Kyle DeGraw, AED Aero
- Joseph Kerski, Esri
- Rudy Banerjee, IUPUI
- Jay Sandhu, Esri
- Sarah Battersby, Esri
Career Mentoring III: Academic Career Paths
Friday, April 19th ǀ 9:00 – 10:20 am ǀ 313B (O`ahu), Third Floor, Hawai'i Convention Center
Mentors:
- Debarchana Ghosh, University of Connecticut
- Paul McDaniel, Kennesaw State University
- Yolonda Youngs, California State University, San Bernardino
- Wei Li, Arizona State University
- Mario Mighty, University of North Alabama
- Abel Polese, Dublin City University
Virtual Career Mentoring I
Wednesday, April 17th ǀ 7:20 – 8:40 am ǀ Virtual
Mentors:
- Kyle DeGraw, AED Aero
- Liora Sahar, American Cancer Society
- Jennifer Cook, Louisiana State University
- David Arfa, Cook County, Illinois
- Stephanie Deitrick, Arizona State University
- Shaun Williams, Center for Naval Analyses
Virtual Career Mentoring II
Thursday, April 18th ǀ 7:20 – 8:40 am ǀ Virtual
Mentors:
- Brian Baldwin, Esri
- Sunita Yadav-Pauletti, U.S. Department of Agriculture
- David Arfa, Cook County, Illinois
- Catherine dL. Tan, Cambridge University
- Liora Sahar, American Cancer Society
- Shaun William, Center for Naval Analyses
Virtual Career Mentoring III
Friday, April 19th ǀ 7:20 – 8:40 am ǀ Virtual
Mentors:
- Sunita Yadav-Pauletti, U.S. Department of Agriculture
- David Arfa, Cook County, Illinois
- Lisa Douangchai Wills, American Cancer Society
Featured Career Panels
The AAG’s Careers & Professional Development Center track features nearly 30 panel sessions covering a wide range of career topics relevant to students and young professionals.
Now Hiring II: Government, Industry, and Nonprofit Career Paths for Geographers
Thursday, April 18th ǀ 1:20 – 2:40 pm ǀ 313A (O`ahu), Third Floor, Hawai'i Convention Center
Speakers:
- Maurice McHugh, NOAA
- Kyle Titlow, U.S. Department of Transportation
- John Cromartie, U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Brian Baldwin, Esri
- Shaun Williams, Center for Naval Analyses
- Catherine dL. Tan, Cambridge University
- Arvind Bhuta, U.S. Forest Service
- Delta Merner, Union of Concerned Scientists
Earth Science Opportunities & Resources at NASA
Tuesday, April 16th ǀ 1:20 – 2:40 pm ǀ 313A (O`ahu), Third Floor, Hawai'i Convention Center
Speakers:
- Cyndi Hall, NASA Early Career Research Program
- Amanda Clayton, NASA DEVELOP National Program
- Lauren Childs-Gleason, NASA Langley Research Center
- Laramie Plott, NASA DEVELOP National Program
Featured Professional Development Workshops
Topics include developing strong job interview skills, resume & cover letter writing, public speaking, career planning, D.E.I. in the geospatial workforce, and more.
Mapping Your Career Pathway in Geography and Geospatial Technologies
Thursday, April 18th ǀ 10:40 – 12:00 pm ǀ 313C (O`ahu), Third Floor, Hawai'i Convention Center
- Instructor: Joseph Kerski, Esri
Communicating the Value of Geography to Potential Employers
Thursday, April 18th ǀ 10:40 – 12:00 pm ǀ 313B (O`ahu), Third Floor, Hawai'i Convention Center
- Instructor: Joy Adams-O’Brien, Elevated Learning Design
Tips and Tricks for Developing Strong Interview Skills
Thursday, April 18th ǀ 1:20 – 2:40 pm ǀ 313B (O`ahu), Third Floor, Hawai'i Convention Center
- Instructor: Joy Adams-O’Brien, Elevated Learning Design
First Impressions: Showcasing Your Geography Skills in Resumes and Cover Letters
Wednesday, April 17th ǀ 1:20 – 2:40 pm ǀ 313B (O`ahu), Third Floor, Hawai'i Convention Center
- Instructor: Joy Adams-O’Brien, Elevated Learning Design
From Least Desired to Multiple Hires: Turning Challenged Interview Candidates into Professionals with Options
Tuesday, April 16th ǀ 9:00 – 10:20 am ǀ 313A (O`ahu), Third Floor, Hawai'i Convention Center
- Instructor: Keith Searles, EDGE/Urban GIS
Methodologies, Cheat Codes, and Advantages of Building a Diverse Personal Network
Wednesday, April 17th ǀ 1:20 – 2:40 pm ǀ 313A (O`ahu), Third Floor, Hawai'i Convention Center
- Instructor: Keith Searles, EDGE/Urban GIS
How to Present at a Conference with Ease and Intention
Tuesday, April 16th ǀ 9:00 – 10:20 am ǀ Virtual
- Instructor: Niem Huynh, Concordia University
GISP Certification Workshops
Interested in learning more about the GISP certification process, or preparing for the GISP exam? Organized by the GIS Certification Institute (GISCI), attending the sessions below provides several ways to earn necessary points for the “Contributions to the Profession” and “Education” components of becoming a GISP.
The Pathway to Professionalism: Becoming a Geospatial Professional (Opportunity I)
Thursday, April 18th ǀ 9:00 – 10:20 am ǀ 313B (O`ahu), Third Floor, Hawai'i Convention Center
- Instructor: Tony Spicci, GIS Certification Institute
The Pathway to Professionalism: Becoming a Geospatial Professional (Opportunity II)
Friday, April 19th ǀ 10:40 – 12:00 pm ǀ 313B (O`ahu), Third Floor, Hawai'i Convention Center
- Instructor: Tony Spicci, GIS Certification Institute
The Pre-GISP Exam (Opportunity I)
Tuesday, April 16th ǀ 10:40 – 12:00 pm ǀ 313B (O`ahu), Third Floor, Hawai'i Convention Center
- Instructor: Tony Spicci, GIS Certification Institute
The Pre-GISP Exam (Opportunity II)
Wednesday, April 17th ǀ 10:40 – 12:00 pm ǀ 313B (O`ahu), Third Floor, Hawai'i Convention Center
- Instructor: Tony Spicci, GIS Certification Institute
The Pre-GISP Exam (Opportunity III)
Thursday, April 18th ǀ 7:20 – 8:40 am ǀ 313B (O`ahu), Third Floor, Hawai'i Convention Center
- Instructor: Tony Spicci, GIS Certification Institute
The Pre-GISP Exam (Opportunity IV)
Friday, April 19th ǀ 1:20 – 2:40 pm ǀ 313B (O`ahu), Third Floor, Hawai'i Convention Center
- Instructor: Tony Spicci, GIS Certification Institute
Esri YPN Sessions and Events
Organized by Esri Young Professionals Network (YPN) staff, the sessions below are a great way to learn about how GIS is used in the modern workforce and leadership opportunities within the field.
Esri YPN Presents: Advocating for the Use of Modern GIS in the Workplace
Tuesday, April 16th ǀ 3:00 – 4:20 pm ǀ 313A (O`ahu), Third Floor, Hawai'i Convention Center
Speakers:
- Brian Baldwin, Esri
- Karen Dixon, MPO in Harrisburg, PA
- Narcisa Pricope, Mississippi State University
Esri YPN Presents: Strategies to Develop GIS Leaders
Wednesday, April 17th ǀ 3:00 – 4:20 pm ǀ 313A (O`ahu), Third Floor, Hawai'i Convention Center
Speakers:
- Narcisa Pricope, Mississippi State University
- Dapeng Li, University of Alabama
- Hamed Alemohammad, Clark University
- Michelle Kinzer, Esri
Esri YPN Networking Reception
Thursday, April 18th ǀ 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm | Palace Lounge @ Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki
More details on the networking reception
Visit the AAG sessions gallery to view the entire list of panels, sessions, and workshops.
To learn more about the AAG 2024 Annual Meeting and to register, visit: 2024 AAG Annual Meeting - AAG
To become an AAG member, visit: Membership - AAG