Unlocking Opportunities: The Power of Connecting with Organizations for Emerging GIS Professionals
Esri Young Professionals Network stands on three pillars: Learn, connect, and lead. These pillars not only determine the resources and offerings for our community, but they also provide us with the opportunity and responsibility to network with professional organizations and associations.
In 2023, Esri YPN has had the distinct honor of strengthening our partnerships with AAG, EDGE, URISA Vanguard Cabinet, USGIF Young Professionals Group, and Women in GIS. We rely heavily on these partners to provide resources and opportunities to the GIS community.
In this blog, you’ll learn more about each of our partners, the work their doing, and how you can benefit from connecting with them.
AAG – American Association of Geographers
Esri YPN has always looked to the success of AAG when planning offerings. The American Association of Geographers, or AAG is an organization that is structured around Fostering Leadership, Strengthening Careers, and Advancing Knowledge. AAG provides resources such as a job board, professional development webinar series, a structure mentorship program with over 10 years of success, and an annual meeting of AAG members.
AAG and YPN work together to their respective communities. This includes partnering on webinars, blog contributions, collaboration around sessions for upcoming conferences.
Interested in joining AAG, find out more at the AAG membership page.
Esri YPN Advisory Board Member, and full time member of the education team, (Rosemary Boone) partners with Esri education (Joseph Kerski and Angela Lee) team to prepare for the 2023 AAG annual meeting.
EDGE – Ethnically Diverse Geospatial Engagement community
Before Keith Searles founded EDGE, he was one of the very first speakers for Esri YPN! With his long term dedication to improving the geospatial community, it was a natural fit for him to start EDGE. EDGE focuses on Diversity, Equity, and inclusion initiatives by Leading with Diversity, Pioneering Innovation, and Sustaining Excellence! They have offerings such as a resume and job board, monthly EDGE-inars, and attending events. EDGE is even working to create a certification program for organizations that want to bring DEI to the forefront of their program, and Esri YPN is excited to work through the certification!
Together, EDGE and Esri YPN collaborate to bring resources to all in the geospatial community, including providing complimentary headshots at the 2022 Esri User Conference, partnering for webinars, and driving awareness to offerings in each community.
Learn how you can get involved on the EDGE webpage!
URISA Vanguard Cabinet – Urban and Regional Information Systems Association Vanguard Cabinet
When Esri YPN thinks of leaders in the geospatial community, URISA Vanguard Cabinet is front and center. The URISA Vanguard Cabinet is comprised of young professionals who are collaborating with the URISA Board of Directors and committees to create programs that benefit young professionals in the geospatial community. Examples of these programs include the URISA Mentoring Network and student competitions.
Together, URISA Vanguard Cabinet have partnered on How to Leverage Social Media to Enhance Your Geospatial Career eBook, conference resources (check out our Flyer!), webinars, and conference sessions.
Checkout the different membership categories and learn more about URISA on their webpage.
USGIF YPG – United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation
The USGIF Young Professional Group is one of our longest partnerships, dating back to the founding of Esri YPN. The YPG provides resources to their community through mentorship events, lightning talk sessions, youth outreach programs, and workshops for career development.
Together, YPN and USGIF have partnered through webinars and conference sessions, regional chapter meetups, and advocating for each other’s organizations. Keep an eye out for blog post and additional resources coming soon.
Learn more about USGIF, their working groups, and becoming a member on their webpage.
Women in GIS
Esri YPN welcomes our newest partner to the fold, Women in GIS! Women in GIS focuses on opportunities to network, grow, and succeed. They offer a job board, awards and scholarships, a podcast series, and professional development programs, just to name a few.
Esri YPN and Women in GIS are still exploring ways to partner, keep an eye out for upcoming collaboration.
To learn more about how to join, and membership benefits, visit their webpage.
2023 has been a great year for partnerships, and it’s going to continue to expand. Recently, we had the unique opportunity to meet and explore partnerships with NASA’s Early Career Research Program and Neurodiversity Works. We are so excited to see where these partnerships take us in 2024!
Are you interested in partnering with YPN, we would love to hear from you! Send us an email at ypn@esri.com.