University Students and Early Professional's Event Activities

Join us Friday, November 20th, for career-building activities

On behalf of the Houston City College- West loop Campus and the Houston Area GIS Day, we invite university students and young professionals to our 2026 GIS Day events.

You’re invited to join us at HCC on Friday, November 20, for a special day designed for current GIS students and early-career GIS professionals. Whether you’re interested in hearing from industry experts about their career journeys, looking for professional advice on landing an internship or your first GIS job, hoping to have your resume reviewed by a GIS professional, or just want help translating HR job postings into plain language, this event is for you. It’s also a great opportunity to connect with other GIS students and build your professional network.

Best of all, registration is free for students—so take a moment to sign up for GIS Day 2026 and join us for an inspiring and informative experience!

Register Today

Participate in career-oriented GIS activities designed to help young professionals build skills, make connections, and explore future opportunities.

University event on November 20th

Gain points towards your GISP-E(Emerging GIS Professional) is an entry-level certification!

Get a chance to win a year's subscription to ArcGIS products and more at our raffle!

University GIS Student Professional Roundtable Development Activities

Location: TBD

Student Participation: Approx. 6 students per activity station, rotating through each session during their time slot.

Activity Stations

1. Roundtable Resume Review (Group Setting)

Common resume pitfalls
How to tailor resumes to GIS-related job descriptions
Formatting tips and relevant GIS keywords or project highlights
Open discussion of questions students may have about resume expectations in the field

2. Roundtable Interview Preparation (Group Setting)

Strategies for virtual vs. in-person interviews
How to research interviewers or organizations ahead of time
Common GIS interview questions and effective answers
Tips for professional demeanor and confidence-building

3. StoryMap/Portfolio Review – "Accomplishment Resumes"

Showcase examples of portfolios
Feedback on digital project presentations
Discuss hiring manager expectations
Help students craft a "visual resume"

4. Mock Interviews with Managers

15-minute simulated interview + 5-minute feedback session
Volunteers listen to elevator pitches and review experience
Standard + technical GIS questions
Goal: Build confidence and provide constructive feedback

5. Job Description Dissection (Group Activity)

Analyze 2–3 real GIS entry-level job postings
Identify key skills, tools, technologies, and soft skills
Discuss aligning resumes and cover letters to postings
Optional: Groups present findings

6. Elevator Pitch Practice Circle

Students give a 30–60 second pitch in small groups
Volunteers + peers provide feedback on clarity, confidence, and relevance
Emphasis on GIS strengths and career goals
Can run as a timed, round-robin challenge

7. GIS Technical Skills Gap Check

Students self-assess against common GIS job requirements
Share one strength and one growth area in groups
Volunteers recommend learning resources and tips

Contact Us

Houston Area GIS Day
H-GAC's Geographic Data Workgroup
Houston, Texas, USA
Email: Questions? Contact Us

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About Us

HGAC's Geographic Data Workgroup

The Geographic Data Workgroup (GDW) is an H-GAC sponsored group consisting of public, private, non-profit, and educational organizations. The group meets monthly to discuss Geographic Information System (GIS) related matters, network, and plan cooperative purchases of software, aerial imagery, and data that would be too costly if obtained separately.
Hosted by
- Houston-Galveston Area Council