There and Back Again

My internship has been progressing nicely. I've been working with a project team to develop a StoryMap to showcase the Payments for Ecosystem Services program for protecting the endangered Florida Panther. Essentially, the program recruits and pays private landowners to preserve panther habitat, and compensates them for livestock losses from panther predation. My role has been developing the StoryMap and ArcOnline maps to use with it, and so far I've incorporated data like telemetry info from tagged panthers, created a map from tabular data of panther sightings, and used other data sources and maps from the private sector and other government agencies. It's exciting to be supporting such a helpful program!

This module focused on us looking at a GIS dream job, and reflecting on what work we needed to do to get there. While I'm proud of my GIS skills, the job I found would require developing better Python, geodatabase management, CAD, and data analysis skills. This has really gotten me to think about a holistic approach to career development; without necessarily making it a "grindset" outlook, the idea that I need to be looking for opportunities at work to take on projects I can use to develop my skills, and that I need to probably always be doing some kind of class or self-education to improve my marketable skills. My plan right now is to start getting involved in professional GIS organizations, like my local user group and a national women in GIS org, participate in my workplace GIS group, and look for GIS projects I can join at work. I'm going to pitch a StoryMap idea to my supervisor. I'm also planning on enrolling in a Python course immediately after my i...