Why join GIS social groups
LinkedIn groups provide an extensive networking platform for students, professionals, and job seekers within the GIS community. LinkedIn groups enable you to connect with potential employers, land a GIS internship, find mentors, and much more. These groups are spaces where professionals, recruiters, and aspiring GIS students like myself foster career advancement and professional development opportunities.
Fig 1: Showcasing that networking is the most effective way to land a job
For GIS career seekers, LinkedIn groups offer a space to connect with employers and explore available opportunities efficiently. There are currently 21,645 jobs available on Indeed looking for individuals with GIS skills. Additionally, actively participating in discussions and sharing insights allows you to showcase expertise and stay updated on GIS news. If still in school, these groups often feature internships for students and individuals seeking to enhance their GIS portfolios. This facilitates hands-on, professional experience for students while enabling employers to recruit young, talented individuals in this growing field.
Mentors and veteran GIS professionals are ready and willing to offer their expertise and insights to the next generation of GIS professionals. If you actively engage with mentors within these Linkedin groups, you can gain invaluable career advice, expand your professional network, and receive guidance on how to navigate the GIS field.
Top 10 GIS LinkedIn groups
Top 1 through 5
Furthermore, after discussing the benefits of joining GIS LinkedIn groups, here are my top 10 recommendations for you.
- Esri GIS highlights resources for GIS users, department managers, business analysts, and data scientists using Esri technology. As the global market leader in geographic information system (GIS) software, location intelligence, and mapping, Esri is an important organization for you to be familiar with. You should absolutely take advantage of this networking opportunity.
- GIS (Geographic Information Systems), Projects, Remote Sensing, GPS Mapping, JOBS & Careers. This group is for GIS professionals and includes postings for GIS jobs and careers in geospatial technology (GEO-ICT). Topics of discussion in this group may include: R&D and Innovation in Geo-ICT, GeoInformatics, GIS Computing, Spatial Databases, GISP, Location Based Services, Global Positioning System, National Spatial Data Infrastructure and much more.
- Bootcamp GIS is an online GIS certification program with a project-based curriculum taught by industry professionals. Joining this group provides an opportunity to collaborate and network with a diverse array of professionals in the GIS field. This allows you to gain insights into their industry practices and benefit from their expertise. If you are looking to advance your GIS skills, consider earning your GIS certificate or just taking some courses to enhance your professional portfolio.
- GIS and Geography is an open group to discuss the applications of geographic technologies and science, most notably GIS and cartography with over 78,000 members of all levels.
Top 5 through 10
- Gis Jobs focuses on topics such as technical, projects, tenders, job openings, mapping, and application development consultancy services; discussions related to GIS and Geo-informatics are encouraged here. The group focuses on positively assisting the members of this 57,000 plus strong GIS community.
- “HORIZON EUROPE” Framework Programme for Research and Innovation is the Linkedin group for the European Union’s key funding program aimed at tackling climate change and achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. With over 227,000 members from around the world, it provides excellent networking opportunities for R&D and Innovation, funds, grants, call for proposals, HorizonEU Projects and more.
- GPS/GIS Jobs. Mapping and GIS represent two of the most rapidly expanding and forward-thinking domains within today’s technology sector. This group caters to individuals aiming to advance their careers and skills in this exciting field.
- GIS Professional & Networking is a group for enthusiastic GIS professionals. Group members share their GIS experience, questions, solutions, and jobs. This is an excellent place to start building your GIS community and learn more about the industry.
- GIS Application Developers, as the name suggests, is a group for those who are interested and/or take part in Geographical Information Systems Application Development. While this group may be more specialized, it serves as an excellent resource for anyone interested in GIS app development and networking with professionals engaged in this field.
- Esri Young Professionals Network. This group, tailored for young professionals in diverse industries, fosters collaboration, networking, and career growth within the GIS community. Providing a structured framework for newcomers or those developing GIS careers, as well as those interested in leveraging location power.
Enhance your skill and grow your network
In addition to joining these Linkedin groups, consider taking GIS courses or earning your GIS certificate in order to gain marketable skills and stay up-to-date with the latest technology in this constantly advancing field. Depending on your current skills and interests, you may want to learn more about utilizing Python or AWS. Acquiring skills in the cutting-edge technology of GeoAI will keep you ahead of the curve in this rapidly evolving industry. Given the rising demand for geospatial technology across sectors, holding a GIS certification employs powerful tools for data-driven decisions.
Joining these LinkedIn groups to connect with like-minded individuals and open doors to new opportunities, regardless of your career stage. In fact, a recent survey revealed that networking fills a whopping 85% of all jobs! These connections are clearly essential to advancing your GIS skills and career.
