I am a geographer on ArcGIS Living Atlas team. I work on policy maps, which help people see where a problem exists, where there is an opportunity to intervene, what possible solutions are under consideration, progress in implementing a solution, and latest results. Much of the effort in making maps is about fiddling with the software and data, but in my experiences, the best maps come from a conversation among policy makers/business leaders, subject matter experts, and GIS staff. If you wait for that meeting to happen, you might be allowed to make some policy maps (maps of action, maps that inspire action). If you cause that meeting to happen, you are a policy mapper. Most of my energy is spent getting people to see the gaps that exist among people and the problems they want GIS to help solve. Closing those gaps is fulfilling work and within your reach.
Jim Herries
Senior Principal GIS Engineer, GIS Engineering Lead
ArcGIS Living Atlas
