How can you give back to the GIS community?

1 Mentor others

One of the most impactful ways that you can give back to the GIS community is by mentoring others who are interested in or new to the field. You can offer your guidance, advice, feedback, and support to students, beginners, or career changers who want to learn more about GIS and develop their skills. You can also help them find opportunities, resources, and networks that can benefit their GIS journey. You can mentor others through formal programs, online platforms, or local events and groups.

2 Volunteer your skills

Another way that you can give back to the GIS community is by volunteering your skills for a good cause. You can use your GIS expertise to help non-profit organizations, social movements, or humanitarian projects that need spatial data and analysis to achieve their goals. You can also participate in crowdsourced mapping initiatives, such as OpenStreetMap, that aim to create and share free and open geographic data for everyone. Volunteering your skills can make a positive difference in the world and showcase the power and potential of GIS.

3 Create and share content

You can also give back to the GIS community by creating and sharing content that showcases your work, insights, or tips related to GIS. You can write blog posts, articles, tutorials, or case studies that demonstrate how you use GIS in your projects, challenges, or solutions. You can also create videos, podcasts, webinars, or courses that teach or explain GIS concepts, tools, or techniques. You can also share your data, code, or maps that others can use or learn from. Creating and sharing content can help you build your portfolio, reputation, and network, as well as inspire and educate others.

4 Join and contribute to forums

Another way that you can give back to the GIS community is by joining and contributing to online forums and platforms where GIS professionals and enthusiasts interact and exchange information. You can ask and answer questions, provide feedback, share resources, or join discussions on various GIS topics and issues. You can also join or start groups, communities, or projects that focus on specific GIS domains, interests, or goals. Joining and contributing to forums can help you stay updated, learn new things, and connect with like-minded people.

5 Attend and participate in events

Another way that you can give back to the GIS community is by attending and participating in events that are related to GIS. You can attend conferences, workshops, webinars, meetups, or hackathons that offer opportunities to learn, network, and collaborate with other GIS professionals and enthusiasts. You can also participate as a speaker, presenter, panelist, or organizer and share your knowledge, experience, or ideas with the audience. Attending and participating in events can help you expand your horizons, showcase your skills, and discover new opportunities.

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?