From Student to Professional: My Experience at the Esri YPN Redlands Chapter Meetup
My name is Ashley Román and I am a Master of Science GIS student at the University of Redlands. I recently attended the Esri YPN Redlands Chapter Meetup at Esri’s HQ in Redlands, CA where I met some amazing GIS professionals and GIS users who are trying to immerse themselves in this field, much like myself.
In this blog article I will share with you my journey that led to my passion for GIS and my experience attending the Esri YPN Redlands Chapter Meetup.
My Journey Into GIS
It wasn’t until I took one GIS class solely as an elective and it was then after I knew this is what I wanted to do. GIS opened up so many opportunities for me and guided my education towards a path of success.
This is where my passion sparked, leading me to pursue a minor in GIS in addition to my bachelor’s degree. So, Spring of 2022 I graduated with a bachelor's degree in environmental studies with a concentration in environmental systems and a minor in GIS but, it wasn’t the end of GIS for me!
I decided to further my interest and passion by continuing my education at the University of Redlands where am currently getting a master’s degree in GIS. My expected graduation date is August of 2024 (Shoutout to Cohort 44!). So, I am in the process of planning the next steps in finding a full-time position in a GIS related field, but I was completely lost as to where to begin.
Connecting with Esri Young Professionals Network!
I find it pretty relatable for most recent graduates to have two things when it comes to job searching: a resume and whole lot of hope! At least that’s the case for me.
With graduation coming up soon, I am actively looking to secure a job in a GIS related field, but I’ve found this process to be tiring and quite exhaustive. It can sometimes be difficult to put yourself out there and speak to GIS professionals about your abilities and your passions.
On Friday, April 5, 2024, I had the pleasure of attending the Esri YPN Redlands Chapter Meetup at Esri Headquarters. This event was an opportunity to talk to GIS professionals as well as like-minded GIS users to make connections and network in a comfortable environment, free from a traditional interview setting. Instead, it is a fun way to meet people with entertainment, food and drinks!
My Experience at ESRI’s the YPN Redlands Chapter Meetup
Upon entering Esri headquarters, I felt nervous about talking and meeting people I’d never met before. Let alone being at Esri! But immediately my cohort and I were greeted with smiling faces, good vibes, and most importantly tables full of pizza!
I made connections with Esri employees professionals who were interested in my work and the project I’m carrying out for my master’s program. I met other students who are also trying to pave their way into a career with Esri.
Lastly, I spoke with job recruiters and gave them my resume for open positions with Esri. I found this opportunity to be so helpful and insightful. It provided a way for me to practice my talking and interpersonal skills when it comes down to entering a traditional interview setting.
I would recommend anyone to attend this event should they have the opportunity and use it to network and meet other individuals who have similar interests and goals as you. Use this to start immersing yourself in a community of influential individuals. An introduction can go a long way and could take you to the next step of your own GIS career, and you never know, you could be introducing yourself to your next interview panel member!