Do I Meet the Geospatial Standard?

Questioning Our Place in the Geospatial Field

Many professionals who work with spatial technologies eventually experience moments of uncertainty about whether they still “belong” in the geospatial world—especially after stepping away from daily mapping tasks or transitioning into roles that use GIS less directly. Even individuals with advanced degrees, teaching experience, or years of research contributions can occasionally wonder if their skills remain current or relevant. Exposure to new tools, evolving workflows, and highly specialized expertise showcased in conferences or online portfolios can intensify these feelings, leading people to compare their own experience to others and question their professional identity.

Self-doubt can surface in many forms: not knowing a particular programming language, lacking experience with a specific software platform, or working in an industry application different from traditional mapping domains. Something as simple as forgetting where a familiar tool is located within an interface can spark the unsettling thought that one’s expertise has faded. Yet these moments are common in any fast-moving technical discipline and do not diminish a person’s standing within the geospatial community.

Many Paths Lead to Geospatial Work

There is no single route into a geospatial career, nor is there a standard timeline that defines participation in the field. Professionals arrive through a wide range of educational backgrounds and career transitions—some discover GIS during university courses, others encounter it through workplace responsibilities, and many adopt it later as a complementary skill in entirely different industries. These varied journeys enrich the discipline by bringing together diverse experiences, perspectives, and problem-solving approaches.

Belonging to the geospatial community is not determined by certifications alone or by the frequency with which one creates maps. Instead, it is rooted in an interest in spatial thinking and a willingness to engage with geographic information in meaningful ways. Whether contributing to open mapping projects occasionally or developing complex analytical tools, every participant plays a role in advancing the field.

A Discipline That Thrives on Diverse Skills

Geospatial technology encompasses far more than cartography and spatial analysis. The field depends on people who design compelling visualizations, prepare and clean datasets, build analytical models, communicate insights through writing and presentations, address ethical considerations in spatial data use, and teach new generations of learners. Each of these contributions strengthens the broader ecosystem, making a diversity of skills essential rather than optional.

Given the rapid expansion of geospatial technologies and applications, it is neither realistic nor necessary to master every tool or technique. New software platforms, programming frameworks, and analytical methods emerge continuously, making complete expertise impossible. Maintaining curiosity, learning selectively, and staying open to growth are far more valuable than attempting to know everything at once.

Staying Confident While Continuing to Learn

Professionals who feel uncertain about their “geospatial enough-ness” can benefit from connecting with peers, engaging in ongoing learning, and occasionally revisiting foundational concepts. Conversations with colleagues, participation in professional communities, and listening to industry podcasts or discussions can provide reassurance that many others share similar experiences. Even experienced practitioners often rely on online searches or tutorials to solve technical challenges, highlighting that learning remains a lifelong process in this domain.

Exploring new topics—whether through webinars, articles, or introductory lessons—can also renew enthusiasm while reinforcing existing knowledge. Revisiting basic materials often reveals how much expertise has already been developed and can rekindle the sense of curiosity that first drew many professionals to the field.

Embracing the Identity of a Lifelong Learner

In rapidly evolving technology sectors, maintaining an “amateur’s mindset”—one that welcomes experimentation and accepts uncertainty—can be an advantage. Passion for spatial thinking and geographic understanding is a far stronger indicator of belonging than any checklist of technical skills. As geospatial applications continue expanding across industries, the community benefits from participants who bring different strengths, experiences, and creative approaches to solving spatial problems.

Ultimately, being part of the geospatial field is less about mastering every capability and more about engaging with geographic information in ways that contribute to understanding the world. Those who remain curious, collaborative, and committed to learning are already “geospatial enough,” and their continued participation helps ensure the discipline continues to grow and evolve.