Associate GIS Analyst Profile: Hillary Elliott

Esri Canada’s Associate GIS Professional Program is Esri Canada’s career development program for current undergraduates or recent graduates in GIS. The program takes participants on an 18-month journey through a variety of departments of Esri Canada so that they can kickstart their GIS careers. Hillary Elliott is an associate GIS analyst with Esri Canada who, at time of writing, is working in the Professional Services department. Read on to discover her unique perspective on the Associate GIS Professional Program.

Name: Hillary Elliott

Location: Montréal, QC

School: Fleming College

What inspired you to join Esri Canada's Associate GIS Professional Program?

I was inspired to join the Associate GIS Professional Program by a desire to join other like-minded GIS professionals who are passionate about what they do. The opportunity to be an associate GIS analyst, work on different teams and have many different training opportunities was also something that really stood out to me about the program.

Can you describe your experience in the program so far? Have you worked on any particularly rewarding projects?

So far, my experience in the program has been both fulfilling and diverse. On each team, the experience of helping clients solve problems, delivering solutions and seeing the tangible impact of my work has been very satisfying. For example, I worked with the Professional Services group on a project for a large provincial customer, where I helped migrate and consolidate more than 25 local providers into a common database. This was very rewarding as it was such a large project and would ultimately help stakeholders better visualize and analyze the data for better decision-making. While on the Professional Services team I’ve also gotten experience delivering demos that showcase the vast possibilities of ArcGIS to customers.

What has been the most surprising aspect of your time at Esri Canada?

The most surprising part of my time at Esri Canada has been experiencing the vast number of resources and training available, along with the inclusive and supportive company culture. Starting a new job can be intimidating, but the well-organized onboarding process and the warm, welcoming colleagues made the transition incredibly smooth. The ample training opportunities available throughout the year are excellent, as they’ve allowed me to continually learn and enhance my skills with Arcade, Python, multi-user database management, spatial analysis and various Esri products. I have also really valued getting in-depth ArcGIS Enterprise training.

What kind of support and guidance have you received from mentors or colleagues within the program?

One key piece of advice I’ve received is to constantly be learning and networking, which has encouraged me to stay proactive in developing my skills. I've also received guidance on understanding the broader goals of the team and organization, navigating complex projects, troubleshooting issues and career development and decision-making. Overall, the support I’ve received has helped me grow both professionally and personally.

What do you enjoy most about being part of Esri Canada while participating in this program?

I’ve really enjoyed the opportunity to collaborate with different teams across the organization. This exposure has allowed me to gain a broader understanding of how various departments work together to achieve common goals. Working with diverse teams has also given me the chance to learn new perspectives, improve my problem-solving skills and contribute to a range of projects. It’s been a rewarding experience that has helped me appreciate the interconnectedness of the company.

What role(s) are you hoping to explore after your time in the program?

I've truly enjoyed my time working with every team I've been a part of, as each has offered valuable learning experiences. However, I’m especially drawn to Professional Services and Community Maps, where there’s an opportunity to contribute to long-term projects. Going forward, I’d like to explore these areas further and develop my spatial analysis and data management skills.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about applying to the Associate GIS Professional Program?

My advice would be to come with a willingness to learn and adapt. Building relationships with colleagues and mentors is also valuable, as their support can really help you grow. Additionally, make the most of learning opportunities, both through formal training and hands-on experience.

Want to discover more about Esri Canada’s Associate GIS Professional Program? Read an overview of the program, explore career paths or apply now.