How can you stay ahead of GIS trends and challenges?

1 Learn new tools and technologies

GIS is not a static discipline, but a constantly changing one that incorporates new tools and technologies to improve data collection, analysis, visualization, and communication. To stay ahead of the curve, you need to be aware of the latest developments and innovations in GIS software, hardware, platforms, and applications. You can do this by following blogs, podcasts, newsletters, webinars, and social media accounts of reputable GIS sources, such as Esri, QGIS, Geoawesomeness, and GIS Lounge. You can also enroll in online courses, workshops, or certifications that teach you how to use new GIS tools and technologies, such as Python, R, ArcGIS Pro, Google Earth Engine, and cloud computing.

2 Network with other GIS professionals

One of the best ways to learn from others and share your insights and experiences is to network with other GIS professionals. Networking can help you discover new opportunities, find mentors or collaborators, get feedback or advice, and expand your horizons. You can network with other GIS professionals by joining online communities, forums, groups, or platforms, such as GIS Stack Exchange, Reddit, LinkedIn, or Meetup. You can also attend or participate in local, regional, or international GIS events, conferences, or competitions, such as the Esri User Conference, FOSS4G, or the Geospatial World Forum.

3 Apply your skills to real-world problems

Another way to stay ahead of GIS trends and challenges is to apply your skills to real-world problems that interest you or matter to you. By doing so, you can demonstrate your abilities, showcase your portfolio, solve meaningful issues, and learn from your mistakes. You can apply your skills to real-world problems by joining or initiating projects, volunteering, or freelancing for organizations, causes, or clients that use GIS for various purposes, such as environmental management, urban planning, disaster response, or business intelligence.

4 Explore new domains and disciplines

GIS is not only a technical skill, but also a cross-disciplinary one that can be applied to various domains and disciplines. To broaden your perspective and increase your versatility, you can explore new domains and disciplines that use or benefit from GIS, such as health, education, agriculture, tourism, or archaeology. You can do this by reading books, articles, or reports, watching videos or documentaries, or taking courses or programs that introduce you to new domains and disciplines. You can also collaborate or interact with experts or practitioners from different fields and learn from their perspectives and experiences.

5 Seek feedback and improvement

Finally, to stay ahead of GIS trends and challenges, you need to seek feedback and improvement on your work and performance. Feedback can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, improve your quality and efficiency, and avoid errors and biases. You can seek feedback and improvement by asking for comments, suggestions, or reviews from your peers, mentors, clients, or users. You can also use tools or methods that help you evaluate, test, or validate your data, analysis, or outputs, such as accuracy assessment, cross-validation, or user testing.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?