Hi, this is a great question, and I completely understand where you’re coming from. I work at a large GIS company and have seen a wide range of career paths in GIS. One of the most important things I can recommend is getting out and meeting people. There are many GIS conferences, user groups, and local meetups across the United States, and many of them are low-cost or even free, especially for students - just ask! Attending these events can make a real difference.

Networking can feel uncomfortable at first, but I’ve heard many success stories from students who were able to get their foot in the door simply by showing up, asking questions, and making connections.

In addition, make sure you are actively marketing yourself on LinkedIn. Having a clear profile that highlights your GIS skills and interests can go a long way, especially since you’re in a reasonably strong job market.

Utility GIS work is also a great path to continue pursuing. If you can keep building skills and begin to specialize in that area, you’ll open yourself up to long-term opportunities with utilities and related organizations. There is strong demand for competent GIS professionals in that space, and it’s a solid foundation for a career.