The students of GIS 708: Advanced Geographical Information Systems had the opportunity to visit the AfriGIS offices on Tuesday 6 June. This was a follow up visit to that of a week previously, where AfriGIS came to the Department to teach the students about creating networks in a hands-on workshop (see https://www.up.ac.za/geography-geoinformatics-and-meteorology/news/post_3155461-building-road-networks-in-qgis.-a-workshop-presented-by-afrigis).

AfriGIS is a leading commercial GISc company that strives to provide innovative geospatial solutions and datasets and during the workshop on 30 May students were exposed to the technical skills required when working with networks in GISc. The visit on 6 June instead focused on soft skills. Discussions ranged from what skills are required in the GISc industry (or any industry), what the work environment is like, what students can expect from a normal workday once they start working (hybrid is not only a thing in academia), how to engage with clients, and how to advance themselves in their chosen workplace. Students were also given valuable information on how to behave in an interview and how to compile a CV.

We would like to express our thanks to Charl Fouché, Christopher Ueckermann, Nicholas Kemp and Maretha Meyer from AfriGIS for hosting us and for sharing your valuable insights and experience with us. For the full gallery of photos please click here.

Photos by: Dr Christel Hansen (UP)