Employer spotlight: A Q&A with Esri

Learn why Esri hires NSCC graduates.

Harnessing the power of geographical data using cutting-edge technologies and software, Esri provides solutions and insights for businesses, governments and societies that have global impacts. An industry leader and employer, Esri is headquartered in Redlands, California, with 42 offices worldwide.

For close to 40 years, Esri has recruited NSCC alumni - the majority being Centre of Geographic Sciences (COGS) graduates.

Derek Weatherbe, originally from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, is one of these alumni. As a Product Engineering Director for ArcGIS Enterprise at Esri, he now plays a role in hiring and mentoring fellow COGS grads:

Please share some details about yourself and your role/position.

I graduated from St. Mary’s University in Halifax with an undergraduate degree in Geography in 1998. During my studies, I became captivated by geographic information systems (GIS), so the program at the COGS caught my attention. COGS had a stellar reputation for preparing graduates for employment in the GIS field and the faculty members I met were truly inspiring.

In 1999, an Esri HR representative visited COGS on Esri’s annual recruiting trip while I was studying for my GIS diploma. After going through the recruiting process, I joined Esri as a Technical Support Analyst and relocated to Redlands, California. My time in Tech Support was an incredible opportunity to learn about the ArcGIS system, our customer requirements and insight into how Esri works. Esri’s work culture encourages lateral movement within the company, and after a few years, I made the move to software development as a Product Engineer.

Today, I’m a Product Engineering Director for ArcGIS Enterprise. In this role, I help define our software development schedule, coordinate certification efforts, and provide support to my peers throughout the company. It’s a dynamic and rewarding role that has me in close collaboration with talented colleagues.

An aspect of my work that truly excites me is mentoring and fostering growth among my peers. I believe in the power of collective learning and enjoy helping others reach their full potential.

Over the past decade, I’ve now had the privilege of participating in the annual COGS Industry Expo and Esri’s annual recruiting event on-campus. These occasions have reinforced my appreciation for the culture COGS has built. Faculty, staff, and students come together to create a supportive and familial environment.

Are you an NSCC alum? If so, please indicate your program, campus and year of graduation.

I graduated from the Geographic Information Systems program from the Annapolis Valley Campus - COGS in 1999.

Please share some of your student experience and how it might have played a role in where you are today.

When I started the GIS program at COGS, many of the software, GIS, and remote sensing concepts were brand new to me. In addition to the newness of it all, the pace of learning this information was unprecedented in my studies thus far.

Learning to be intentional with time was fundamental to success in my year at COGS; with each class, assignment, or test, being organized, consistent, and translating that into a plan of action was crucial. During that year, I learned how best to collaborate with fellow students, identify their strengths, and how we could support one another to achieve results.

These experiences were key in preparing me to have the career I’ve enjoyed at Esri.

Please describe your business/industry and the areas you serve.

Esri is the global market leader in geographic information system (GIS) software, location intelligence, and mapping. Since 1969, we have supported customers with geographic science and geospatial analytics, what we call The Science of Where. Serving a diverse range of industries worldwide, we take a geographic approach to problem-solving, brought to life by modern GIS technology.

Approximately how many NSCC graduates do you employ?

Esri Inc. has been recruiting from COGS for nearly 4 decades and has hired well over 100 graduates during that time.

As an employer, what skills or qualities do you look for when hiring?

At Esri, we value a mindset that prioritizes the success of our customers, as that directly translates to Esri’s overall success. We value candidates who consistently demonstrate empathy and prioritize advocacy of the needs of our customers. When hiring, we look for people with an authentic interest in supporting peers in the workplace and who contribute to a positive and productive work culture.

It's also important that a candidate can independently identify problems, take ownership, and follow through with corrective actions. Facing challenges and adversity is inevitable in any job. We appreciate people who demonstrate resilience by persevering through challenges to find solutions.

From a technical standpoint, we look for candidates who have a proven track record of learning new technology quickly, who are adopting of evolving tools and processes, and able to synthesize complex information into simple terms from the end user perspective.

Why do you choose to hire NSCC graduates? What sets them apart from other applicants?

COGS graduates are uniquely qualified to work in many divisions of Esri such as Product Engineering, Technical Support, Professional Services, and Education Services. There is a long history of COGS graduates hired to Esri achieving great things and thriving in our work culture. COGS graduates receive a broad understanding of GIS and are highly literate in the ArcGIS system of products upon arrival at Esri.

Coupling the strong technical foundation of the students, the typical COGS graduate exhibits an abundance of skills useful in building relationships, active listening, collaborating, leading efforts and advocating for customers.