At Geo Week News, we’ve spent time interviewing leaders in the geospatial, AEC, and 3D industries to gain their insights into the future of the workforce. The purpose of this theme was to provide advice and life lessons for the next generation of geospatial professions in an industry that is constantly evolving. Conversations with Dr. Jason Stoker, Dr. Julia Wagemann, Aaron Addison, and Dr. Shawana Johnson revealed quite a few shared perspectives. Despite their different backgrounds, they point toward the same core themes shaping workforce development today.
Fundamentals Still Matter, Even as Workflows Evolve
Across interviews, experts highlighted that rapid technological change won’t replace the need for a foundation in fundamentals. Dr. Jason Stoker, who has spent his career advancing USGS’s 3D mapping initiatives, emphasized that “a foundation in geography, geomatics, civil engineering, or geodesy is still essential knowledge” for understanding the structure behind 3D data.
Stoker also noted how quickly workflows are shifting. Traditional download-and-process methods are giving way to cloud-native pipelines, scalable computation, and web-based visualization. The professionals poised to succeed are those who can understand solid fundamentals paired with a fluency in the modern data ecosystem. Even as AI tools become more common, Stoker warns against relying on them blindly. “AI is becoming more prevalent,” he said, “but human-centered design will always remain a core component of our strategy.”
Learning Doesn’t End at Graduation
A second shared takeaway is that education is not a singular event or a one-size-fits-all. Dr. Julia Wagemann, founder of thriveGEO and a leader in the Women+ in Geospatial network, noted that many in today’s workforce enter from a wide range of academic backgrounds including data science, coding, and earth sciences. She noted that this diversity can help strengthen the field.
“As an entry-level geospatial professional,” Wagemann advised, “I would recommend getting a thorough understanding of the tools and platforms that exist and really understanding their purpose and the community they serve.”
Her work shows that confidence, mentorship, and accessible training matter just as much as technical proficiency. Community-driven learning is increasingly helpful for young professionals to understand modern workflows and feel welcomed in their careers.
The Industry Is Growing Faster Than the Talent Pipeline
Interviewees agreed that there is a widening gap between industry demand and the number of new geospatial specialists entering the field. Aaron Addison, who has spent years directing university programs and advising on geospatial education, explained that the pipeline simply can’t keep up. Many academic programs graduate only small cohorts each year, while the industry continues to expand across infrastructure, climate, analytics, and immersive 3D modeling.
As a result, Addison sees alternative pathways—certificates, non-credit training, micro-credentials—becoming essential. No matter the path, he encourages young professionals to consider building depth in areas that interest them. “If you have a deeper understanding of what’s going on than your peers,” he said, “that moves your name to the top of the list.”
Automation may reduce some manual tasks, but Addison believes that interpretation, workflow design, and critical thinking will only become more important. He suggested that, in many roles, understanding why data behaves the way it does is becoming increasingly important.
Stay Curious, and Keep Connections
When discussing long-term career success, all four leaders emphasized qualities that have nothing to do with specific tools. Dr. Shawana Johnson, with decades of experience across government, commercial, and defense geospatial sectors, put it plainly: “You don’t ever become an expert. You keep changing your viewpoints and taking in more technology, and it changes the way you view problems and challenges.”
Johnson highlighted curiosity, adaptability, and relationship-building as the traits that sustain a career. Even as tools and platforms evolve, the ability to stay open to new ideas and build connections across sectors can carry professionals through changes in technology and even industry priorities.
This emphasis on adaptability resonates across all interviews. Whether working with satellite data, lidar, analytics, or 3D visualization, the most successful professionals are often those who stay curious, keep learning, and embrace new perspectives.
The Guide for Young Professionals
Taken together, the insights from Stoker, Wagemann, Addison, and Johnson form a unified message for the next generation:
Start with solid fundamentals, and upskill as you go. Classic spatial concepts still matter, but cloud-native workflows and AI-assisted processes are now essential.
Treat learning as continuous. Training, mentorship, and community support often determine who feels prepared to take on challenging projects.
Build depth, not just resumes. A genuine understanding of why workflows work, and how to adjust them, is far more valuable than simply following steps.
Stay curious and keep networking. Adaptability and relationship-building often shape a career as much as technical mastery.
Geospatial work continues to expand quickly in many areas, blending technology, design, communication, and problem-solving. With curiosity, confidence, and a willingness to learn, young professionals are likely positioned not only to meet the needs of the moment, but also to help define the future of the industry.
Getting Started in Your Geospatial Career – Part One Guide
For more resources on development for young professionals, check out our free guide that covers everything you'll need to know as you start your career in geospatial. Click here for the full guide!
