What are “Contributions to the Profession”? 

GISCI defines “Contributions to the Profession” as “… actions that arise from the question ‘What can I do to give back to the profession?’” gisci.org 

  • To meet initial certification, you need at least 8 points in this area. 

  • These activities should be outside your normal job duties (or at least outside what you’re already being paid for) — they’re about volunteering your time, giving back, and sharing knowledge. 

  • It’s broken into eight categories: 

  1. GIS Publications (writing or reviewing GIS-related materials)  

  1. GIS-Related Professional Association Involvement (membership/active role)  

  1. GIS Conference Organization  

  1. GIS Workshop Instruction  

  1. GIS Conference Presentations 

  1. GIS Awards Received  

  1. GIS Volunteer Efforts (uncompensated GIS work for service/charity organizations)  

  1. Other GIS Contributions (e.g., organizing a GIS Day event, community outreach)  

So, even early-career folks have lots of opportunities here. The key is thinking outside your everyday job tasks and finding ways you can help the profession, community, and colleagues. 

 

Why This Matters

  • Demonstrates that you’re not just executing tasks but thinking of yourself as a GIS professional engaged in the community.  

  • Helps strengthen the profession by sharing knowledge, mentoring others, volunteering time — all of which make the GIS field stronger. 

  • It can differentiate you: when someone sees you’ve contributed beyond your job, it shows initiative, leadership, and commitment. 

  • It builds your network, skills, and visibility (presenting, writing, organizing) all good for career growth. 

How to start — for someone just entering the field

 Here are actionable steps you can take, even if you’re relatively new: 

Step 1: Self-inventory 

  • What GIS skills do you already have (software, workflows, data themes, etc.)? 

  • What have you done (student projects, class labs, volunteer work, internships)? 

  • What do you enjoy or feel you could talk about (e.g., web maps, open data, community mapping, orthoimagery, etc.)? 

  • What organizations, user groups, or communities exist in your region (colleagues, local GIS groups, academic groups)? 

Step 2: Choose one or two low-barrier contribution ideas 

Here are some beginner-friendly contributions that align with the categories above: 

  • Attend and join a local GIS user group or professional association (Category II). Even being a member and attending meetings counts. 

  • Volunteer for a short project: e.g., help a non-profit map their assets, or help clean up open data for your city/town (Category VII). 

 GISP working with pen and paper

  • Organize a small event: e.g., host a lunch-and-learn in your workplace or local library on a GIS topic (Category VIII or III). 

  • Present a short talk: maybe at your department, school, or local user group about a recent tool you tried or a mapping workflow you found useful (Category V). 

  • Write a blog post or short article about a GIS workflow, a tool you learned, or a challenge you solved. That counts as a publication or contribution (Category I). 

  • Participate in GIS Day or help organize one at your school or community (Category VIII). 

  • Offer to mentor a student or peer (even informally) you could document that as a volunteer contribution (Category VII). 

Step 3: Document the activity 

  • Keep evidence: date, title of event, your role, a screenshot or certificate, email confirmation, flyer, etc. 

  • Note how many points the activity seems to be worth (check the GISCI “Contribution Point Schedule”). 

  • Store these pieces of documentation in a folder (digital or physical) to help build your portfolio. 

Step 4: Plan 

  • Set a goal: “I’ll accrue 2-3 contribution points this year and build toward 8 total.” (GISCI notes “we expect that an active professional can attain at least two Contribution points per year.”) 

  • Map out 1-2 contributions you’ll make in the next 3-6 months. 

  • Mid-year Review: Did you do it? Could you adjust or add something? 

  • Keep building: Contributions don’t stop after certification; they feed renewal and ongoing professional development. 

Examples & ideas by category

Here are more tailored ideas per category — pick those that match your interests & resources. 

Category 

Idea for Emerging Professional 

I – Publications 
  • Write a short article for your institution’s newsletter: “How we used open GIS data to…”  
  • Start a blog on your personal site about GIS topics.  
  • Review a GIS tool or tutorial and share your findings. 

II – Professional Association Involvement 
  • Join a local chapter of a GIS society.  
  • Volunteer to help with social media or outreach for the chapter.  
  • Attend and engage (ask a question, connect with others). 

III – Conference Organization 
  • Help organize a local user-group meeting (room setup, agenda, outreach).  
  • Volunteer at a state or regional GIS conference (logistics, registration desk). 

IV – Workshop Instruction 
  • Offer a short tutorial for colleagues or students: “Intro to QGIS for community mapping”.  
  • Partner with a library/community center to teach GIS basics for local non-profits. 

V – Conference Presentations 
  • Submit a lightning talk about a recent GIS problem you solved.  
  • Co-present with a colleague or supervisor on a small project. 

VI – Awards Received 
  • If you get recognized (internship award, volunteer GIS award), include that.  
  • Even being nominated can count if it meets the criteria. 

VII – Volunteer Efforts 
  • Map a local park/trail system as a volunteer effort.  
  • Assist a community organization with mapping its service area.  
  • Offer free GIS help to a school or library. 

VIII – Other Contributions 
  • Organize or support a GIS Day event at your workplace/school.  
  • Create a GIS learning-resource list for newcomers.  
  • Host a “brown-bag” lunch in your office to introduce staff to GIS basics. 

 

Overcoming common concerns 

Here are things new professionals often worry about — and how to navigate them. 

  • “I don’t have a lot of experience yet.” 
    That’s okay! The point is engagement and giving back, not being super senior. Small contributions count. 

  • “I don’t have time outside work.” 
    Even a one-hour lunch talk or attending a user group counts. You don’t have to lead a major conference right away. 

  • “My job doesn’t allow volunteering.” 
    Look for community, student, library, non-profit, or academic opportunities outside of your core job tasks. The key is that it’s outside your normal paid role. 

  • “I don’t know where to start.” 
    Pick one simple idea (for example: attend your local GIS user group or write a blog post) and schedule it. Momentum builds from taking one step. 

  • “How will I record/document it?” 
    Maintain a simple folder: date, what you did, your role, proof (screenshot, email, event flyer), points claimed. Even basic documentation is fine for small contributions (claims under 2 points need no documentation).  

Tips for making it sustainable

  • Keep a running “contribution ideas” list: whenever you hear of a new event or need, jot it down. 

  • Set mini goals: e.g., “One contribution every quarter.” 

  • Choose things you enjoy: If you love teaching or writing or community outreach, lean on that. It won’t feel like extra work, it’ll feel rewarding. 

  • Use your interests like your work on orthoimagery, data themes, GIS standards — highlight those in your contributions (e.g., workshop on orthoimagery workflows). 

  • Invite others: Team up with a peer and make a joint contribution (sharing duties can ease the burden). 

  • Reflect on your contributions and report back in your portfolio: what you did, what you learned, how it impacted others. That reflection adds depth. 

Sample 6-month plan for a new GIS professional 

Here’s a simple plan you might adapt: 

Month 1: Join a local GIS user group (or an online one). Attend the next meeting, and introduce yourself. 

Month 2: Brainstorm one small volunteer GIS project (e.g., help your local community center map its assets). Contact the organization, offer your time. 

Month 3: Write a blog post or internal newsletter article about your volunteer project (or your interest in GIS) and post/share it. 

Month 4: Offer to give a 20-minute lunch-and-learn talk at your workplace or local library about a GIS tool you recently used. 

Month 5: Organize or assist in promoting a GIS Day event at your workplace or school. 

Month 6: Review your documentation: gather proof of the above contributions, note the point values, and update your portfolio. Reflect on what you learned, and plan for the next 6-12 months. 

 

Even modest early-career experience adds up quickly when it’s well-documented and supported by proof. 

Final thoughts

  • View this not just as a checkbox to earn certification points, but as a way to grow your professional identity and connect with the GIS community. 

  • Even small contributions accumulate: the ethos of “give back” is what matters. 

  • Keep your documentation organized, revisit your plan regularly, and choose opportunities that align with your interests. 

  • Don’t wait until you’re “ready” or “senior” — start now. The earlier you engage, the more it benefits your career and the profession.