MAGIC Virtual Panel Discussion: Skill Sets and Opportunities for GIS Graduates in the Memphis Area

Join us for a virtual roundtable discussion with local employers as well as GIS faculty and program administrators at local universities to consider issues of interest and concern to prospective GIS professionals. Some of the topics for discussion will include:
What advice would you give to a student or recent graduate who is interested in pursuing a profession where GIS is used?
What opportunities exist locally for current students or recent graduates to obtain professional experiences (e.g., jobs, internships - paid or unpaid)? Do you see potential for sponsored internships?
What are skills that your workplace values when hiring? (These skills may be fully GIS-related, but are there non-GIS skills that help candidates succeed in receiving a job offer?)
What does your typical work day look like? How do you use GIS?
What was your path in getting to your current position? (For example, did you obtain specific training? Learn on-the-job?)
What role do data science and big data analytics play in your organization?
Where do you see the GIS profession in 5-10 years?
We are honored to feature Dr. Esra Ozdenerol, Ph.D., Director of GIS Certificate Program at University of Memphis, and Dr. Sarah Boyle, Ph.D., Chair of Environmental Studies and Sciences at Rhodes College. They will open the program with a brief overview of the current state of GIS education programs at University of Memphis and Rhodes College, to include what kinds of courses are offered, how the schools handle internships, and how recent alumni have fared in the job market.
In addition to the panel of local employers we will have on hand, the questions and discussion will be open to all participants, as we would love to hear from people about the different ways in which they use GIS in their jobs. The goal of this dialog is to help GIS students/graduates and GIS employers gain a better understanding of each other's needs to the benefit of the GIS profession.

[@rickwery5609]

Great panel discussion. It was wonderful seeing familiar faces, again. Good to see the participation by the students showing interest in one of the BEST fields of work out there (GIS related tech work)! To the students - the panelists were spot-on when describing the skills needed. Critical thinking, people skills, and questioning to find the root problem to be solved, all help you to apply the data collected in an end-user friendly format. Taking thousands of data points, analyzing that data and producing the easy to read result is empowering to the end-user. Once delivered in this way, people without formal GIS training can "see" and agree with the solution rendered. This is very powerful. Good luck to all the participants in their future endeavors!