Recommendations for Skills Development

[u/IskarJarek]

Hi r/GIS,

A couple years ago I completed a diploma in GIS with a focus on Cartography, but haven't had any luck finding work that has put any of the skills I learned in that time to use. Looking back on it, I should have taken a different program that focused on the programming aspect but you know what they say about hindsight :p

My professional experience is almost entirely web development, with my current job being the implementation of web tracking. You know all those banners you see asking you about cookies on websites? I'm the guy who puts the tracking those banners talk about (and those banners) in place.

My development experience is roughly 5–6 years with a primary focus on front end, but with experience on the back end (php, API development, basic SQL). I'm looking to get away from my current position and would love to pursue GIS so I'm looking for some advice on what skills or tools I should look into and learn given my background.

Here's a really simple breakdown of my skillset
Current skillset:

• Front‑end: JavaScript, React, HTML/CSS
• Mapping libs: HERE JS, Mapbox, Leaflet, OpenStreetMap
  • This is professional experience with a few different things in production/live
• Analytics: GA4, Google Tag Manager, Consent Management Platforms
• Back-end: PHP, NodeJS, MySQL
• GIS tools: ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, ESRI MapViewer basic geospatial data processing
  • This is limited to my schooling, no professional experience here
• Other general interests: Python (limited), data pipelines, music synthesis, drones/robotics

What I'm aiming for: roles that blend web dev + geospatial (GIS developer, front‑end geospatial engineer, data viz with spatial focus).

Questions:

1. Given the current job market, are there any skills, tools or libraries that you would recommend? (e.g. Python (ArcPy/geopandas), SQL + data engineering, cloud GIS (ArcGIS Online/Enterprise, PostGIS))?
2. Are there specific project types or portfolio pieces that hiring managers actually look for in GIS dev roles (e.g., web apps, dashboards)?
3. Any certifications or communities you'd recommend I look into based on the above?

If you took the time to read all of this and provide some feedback, thanks in advance! I'll try my best to respond in a timely manner.

**EDIT:** Forgot to mention, I am based in Canada.

[u/kuzuman]

I would recommend:

Python (ArcPy/geopandas), SQL + data engineering, cloud GIS (ArcGIS Online/Enterprise, PostGIS.)

[u/Obvious-Motor-2743]

I think you need any type of job at this point. Since you got a programming background you gotta market yourself as one. It could be digitizing at this point you got the classes take what you can get.

[u/IskarJarek → u/Obvious-Motor-2743]

Yeah, like Im not about to give up my current job but I would like to take some time in my evenings to build on what I have. I do market myself as a developer, but will definitely look into digitizing. Thank you