What do you do if you want to become a GIS consultant and share your expertise with various organizations?

1 Assess your skills

The first step to becoming a GIS consultant is to assess your current skills and identify your areas of strength and improvement. You should have a solid foundation in GIS concepts, tools, and techniques, as well as relevant domain knowledge and experience. You should also be proficient in communication, project management, and problem-solving skills. You can use online assessments, self-evaluation, or feedback from peers or mentors to gauge your skill level and gaps.

2 Build your portfolio

The next step to becoming a GIS consultant is to build your portfolio of projects, products, and services that showcase your GIS skills and value. You can use your previous work, academic projects, volunteer activities, or personal initiatives to create a portfolio that demonstrates your capabilities, achievements, and impact. You can also use online platforms, such as GitHub, ArcGIS Online, or Carto, to host and share your portfolio with potential clients or employers.

3 Expand your network

The third step to becoming a GIS consultant is to expand your network and connect with other GIS professionals, organizations, and communities. You can use social media, online forums, blogs, podcasts, webinars, or events to find and engage with people who share your interests, goals, and challenges. You can also use networking opportunities to learn from others, showcase your expertise, and discover new opportunities.

4 Find your niche

The fourth step to becoming a GIS consultant is to find your niche and focus on a specific area or sector that matches your skills, interests, and values. You can use market research, industry trends, customer feedback, or personal preferences to identify and define your niche. You can also use your niche to differentiate yourself from other GIS consultants and offer unique solutions, insights, and benefits.

5 Market yourself

The fifth step to becoming a GIS consultant is to market yourself and promote your services to potential clients or employers. You can use your portfolio, network, niche, and testimonials to create a compelling value proposition and pitch. You can also use online platforms, such as LinkedIn, Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer, to find and apply for GIS consulting projects or jobs. You can also use referrals, word-of-mouth, or cold emails to reach out to prospective clients or employers.

6 Deliver quality

The sixth and final step to becoming a GIS consultant is to deliver quality work and exceed your clients' or employers' expectations. You can use best practices, standards, and ethics to ensure the quality and accuracy of your GIS products and services. You can also use feedback, evaluation, and improvement to enhance your performance and satisfaction. You can also use follow-up, support, and relationship-building to retain and grow your client base and reputation.

7 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?