You're a GIS professional looking to switch careers. How can you make the transition to agriculture?

1 Assess your interests and goals

Before you jump into a new career, you should have a clear idea of why you want to work in agriculture and what kind of role you're looking for. Do you want to work on the farm, in the office, or in the field? Do you want to focus on a specific crop, region, or issue? Do you want to work for a large corporation, a small business, or a non-profit organization? These questions can help you narrow down your options and align your interests and goals with the opportunities available in the agricultural sector.

2 Update your resume and portfolio

Your resume and portfolio are your first impressions to potential employers, so you should make sure they highlight your relevant skills and achievements in GIS and agriculture. You should tailor your resume and portfolio to each job you apply for, emphasizing how your GIS expertise can benefit the agricultural field. You should also include any projects, courses, certificates, or publications that demonstrate your knowledge and passion for agriculture. For example, you can showcase a GIS project that involved mapping crop yields, soil properties, or water resources.

3 Network and learn from others

One of the best ways to learn about the agricultural industry and find job opportunities is to network and learn from others who are already working in it. You can join online communities, forums, and groups related to GIS and agriculture, where you can ask questions, share insights, and connect with peers and mentors. You can also attend events, workshops, webinars, and conferences that focus on GIS and agriculture, where you can meet potential employers, collaborators, and customers. You can also reach out to your existing contacts, such as former colleagues, professors, or friends, who might have connections or referrals in the agricultural sector.

4 Expand your skills and knowledge

As a GIS professional, you already have a solid foundation of skills and knowledge that are applicable to agriculture. However, you can always expand your skills and knowledge to make yourself more competitive and adaptable in the new field. You can take online courses, read books, watch videos, or listen to podcasts that cover topics related to GIS and agriculture, such as remote sensing, precision farming, crop modeling, climate change, or food security. You can also learn new software, tools, or platforms that are commonly used in the agricultural sector, such as ArcGIS, QGIS, Google Earth Engine, or CropScape.

5 Seek feedback and advice

Finally, you should seek feedback and advice from others who have made the transition from GIS to agriculture or who are working in the field. You can ask them about their challenges, successes, tips, and recommendations for finding and landing a job in agriculture. You can also ask them to review your resume, portfolio, or cover letter, and give you constructive criticism and suggestions. You can also ask them to conduct a mock interview with you, and help you prepare for common questions and scenarios that you might encounter in the real interview.