Thursday, July 9, 2015
Group Day Reflections - July 8
Take a few minutes, please, to reflect on the time we spent at ESRI. Choose one important, interesting and/or
new idea, fact, or bit of information you learned during the morning. Spend a few sentences explaining why
you chose to write about that item. (You do not need to respond to anyone else's comment, unless you feel you must.)
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During my time at ESRI, I learned a lot about what the company does and how maps are used in everyday life. One thing that I found interesting was the office itself, and how open the design was. Having an open space like the one at ESRI promotes good communication between groups, and I like how ESRI stresses on maintaining coordination with all of its workers. I also liked how the names of the rooms are after rowing terminology, because I can personally relate to it, and it made the office seem more fun.
ReplyDeleteI think our time as ESRI was very much interesting, I have heard about the company before and seen their logo around but never really new what they were about. I was surprised that they were the number 1 international supplier of geographic information software in the world because they really do fly under the radar! The one thing that I took away from ESRI was story maps. I didn't realize you can tell a story with maps! It gives maps a whole new look,purpose, and usage. You can use a map for practically anything from a history project to how much crime happens. Not only that but its very easy to use! Story maps were the one important thing that I learned at ESRI.
ReplyDeleteThat's really interesting! Also I like the YuGiOh prof pic
DeleteOne of the most compelling things about ESRI was their commitment to finding additional ways to utilize spacial analysis programs. Although location is key to a successful business, I never realized you could find the perfect one quickly and efficiently using geographic information systems. Within seconds you can research customer bases AND their income to find an algorithm to maximize profit. This is so helpful to all entrepreneurs because they are no longer working on a blank slate and have access to information that will help their business grow.
ReplyDeleteI thought that the field trip to ESRI was very interesting because they use maps in contexts that I would have never imagined. For example, I didn't know that ESRI maps heat waves for Starbucks, who use the maps in order to send people coupons for cold drinks. I also found the story maps to be very interesting. I learned that story maps are a great substitute for presentations. I really like how the story maps are very interactive and practical. Knowing that I can use story maps for all types of presentations will help me in the future.
ReplyDeleteThe time I spent at ESRI was really interesting. I didn't expect what I experienced. I saw a lot of creativity in the workplace, and a lot of independent thinking. The things that ESRI does is extensive and there are no set rules. Creativity is important. In a workplace environment, I think creativity isn't very common. This is why ESRI stands out to me. Their storymaps and they way everyone thinks about work is unique.
ReplyDeleteThat is so true! I also got the impression that the employees are creative and dedicated to their work. The work environment was definitely appealing. For example, the meeting room next to the balcony was really awesome!
DeleteFor me, the spatial analysis concept was most intriguing and easier to grasp. It was cool to see how businesses could be established using spatial analysis which takes income level, population, age, competitors, and other geographic features into account and creates a map showing where the consumers would be most concentrated. Because of this, spatial analysis seems very practical to our ever-developing society because it can be used not just to determine where to open businesses but it could also be applied to building all sorts of structures.
ReplyDeletePersonally, what I found interesting was how ESRI's technology can help anyone in any field of work. They've found innovative ways to make their work to their clients as helpful as possible with their softwares. Another thing I found interesting was their story maps (I'll probably use it for a project one day). Also, the fact that they make some of their products available for free online is very nice of them. :-)
ReplyDeleteMy time at ESRI showed me that there are so many things about technology I don't understand. Not to sound like a curmudgeon, but I really hate technology. However, it was intriguing to me to see how passionate everyone at ESRI was about their work. I hope I too develop that kind of a love and passion for what I will do...just most likely without dealing with spatial analysis :')
ReplyDeleteAt ESRI I found it interesting that the people who are employees of the company aren't the only ones who actually work on the projects. I didn't realize that regular people can create their own maps using the ESRI software and critique the new apps and what not that come out. I think that's beneficial for everyone that the software doesn't have to be bought for it to be used. That way you can create your own new data map without being an actual company.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed spending my time at ESRI. It was interesting to hear from the employees on what they do. One of the employees was a professional baseball player who now works as a software designer using ArcGIS PRO. He pointed out that everyone should pursue their own career goal and have passion for it. In addition, having a plan A and plan B would be wise in case plan A does not work out. He obtained a serious injury in his knee that forced him to retire from professional baseball. Fortunately, he had a second option to become a computer software designer. Smart play!
ReplyDeleteI thought I would have very little interest in ESRI, but it was so different from how I pictured it. I learned that their services can be used in so many different ways. All the employees were doing generally similar things, but were very different at the same time. I also think it is a great business example because of the possibility for clients isn't very specific.
ReplyDeleteSomething that we learned about at ESRI was open source technology vs. closed source technology. Open source means that it is available to everyone. ESRI is encouraging the use of open source technology by making open source products.
ReplyDeleteI also think that it is very interesting that the same person that started ESRI is still the same owner. He started the company when he was in his garage, which is pretty cool.
ESRI was not very interesting to me. The building was pretty cool, and the people there seemed very intelligent and interested in their jobs. However, maps and data are not something I am interested in, so I did not feel very engaged.
ReplyDeleteESRI confused me a lot. Technology is not my field of expertees, and I was lost a lot of the time. But the maps were cool and slow TV interested. I could relate to some of what I learned and will use it.
ReplyDeleteI was really impressed by everything that I learned at ESRI. I think that it's really cool that they combine innovative mapping technology and open data sources to create practical solutions for clients. Anything can be put on a map, and I like the creative ways in which data is being represented. I am actually planning to use ESRI story maps for the work I'm doing for my internship, which would allow me to tell a better story from a set of data.
ReplyDeleteWhilst I did not really understand a lot of what their work was (not a math/sciencey person), I did think their work was interesting, especially the demonstration we had with the girl who was showing how businesses can use spacial analysis. My internship deals a lot with business so I could see why a company would invest in technology such as this. It was interesting how they could layer all the different maps (population, income, distance) and come up with a good idea about where a business should put a new location.
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting to see the processes of a real office like this. When we went to USGS most of the people were gone for the fourth of July but here at ESRI we were able to see a workplace that was very alive. I have been using ArcGIS and Story Maps since the start of my internship but it was really cool to see the company that developed ArcGIS.
ReplyDeleteI found ESRI to be an interesting company. I don't think that I would personally want to pursue a career in that field, it did expose me to new concepts, like GIS, that I was not aware of before. To see a place that developed apps was cool but what I found fascinating was the number of different areas that used their technology. There story maps were also interesting and I showed my mentor where she could sign up to create them. All in all it was an interesting experience and I will probably run into similar technology in the future.
ReplyDeleteAt ESRI, I learned a lot about what they do and how a big office operates. One thing that really stuck out to me was how every person who talked to us was very motivated in their work. At ESRI, employees seem invested and caring when it comes to their job. I intern at an Architecture firm (RNL) and I was surprised to find out that several of the programs that they showed us in the presentations (specifically in the beginning slide shows) were very similar to the ones I was using at RNL. Overall I definitely enjoyed our trip to ESRI, 10/10 would tour again.
ReplyDeleteGoing to ESRI was definitely an interesting experience. I did not have much interest in mapping, but going to ESRI exposed me to new concepts, and I previously hadn't known that they would use so many different fields of work. I am definitely more interested in ESRI than I was before I had gone there.
ReplyDeleteI feel the exact same way, nice!
DeleteI thought what ESRI did was fascinating. I never realized there was such a big business for GIS. I'm still not entirely sure how they make money, but the work they do and the way they can manipulate maps was really cool. I liked the story maps and how much easier they are to understand than reading a huge article while still giving you the same information.
ReplyDeleteThe most interesting and important thing I learned at ESRI was how skills and subjects in the humanities and liberal arts can be incorporated into technological projects such as the story maps that ESRI designs and sells to businesses. As I watched the presentations by ESRI employees, I learned that the story maps can be used for concepts like history, politics, (which tie in more to my interests than computers and technology) and even animal populations. ESRI does so much more than simply designing software and coding; it incorporates countless different fields into products that help people make better decisions.
ReplyDeleteOne interesting piece of information I learned from this field trip was the concept of story maps. It's a creative and newer way of presenting or displaying information that I would never have initially considered using. It is pretty cool to think about its applications in regards to demonstrating data on the spread of disease or perhaps mortality rates. The best part about this concept is that the information or values that the story maps depend on can derive from open data, or essentially free information that is offered to the public. I do hope I get the opportunity to use this method in any future assignments in school.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I learned is that there is such thing as a story map. I thought it was really cool that you could create these really cool presentations/projects with ESRI's software so easily. I will definitely try to create one, maybe about my PRIME experience. It seemed like you could make a story map about practically anything.
ReplyDeleteWhat stood out the most to me at ESRI had little to do with maps and data. It was one thing a presenter said about himself. He mentioned how he changed majors four separate times. It seems like a huge transition just to do that once, but four separate times is astonishing. Despite his indecisiveness, he still landed a job with a major, innovative corporation. I learned that it is okay to change your mind, and great things can still be accomplished if one chooses to switch paths.
ReplyDeleteMy visit to ESRI helped me to look at data, particularly geographic data, in a new way. I had never even considered the concept of "open data," nor had I really thought about the relevancy of location to every type of business. In the future, I will look at data from every perspective, and I will be resourceful in obtaining more data. Thanks to ESRI's databases, I can have access to information and released open data.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was interesting how ESRI used their data to help businesses. It was intriguing how they determined the best location for the store in the simulation. I had never thought about how they can use open data to accurately figure out ways for businesses to make more money.
ReplyDeleteI was very impressed with the creativity that ESRI had. I thought their technology was very modern, and I was heavily impressed over and over by each of the stations we visited. I learned about Spatial Analysis and Open Data. GIS mapping, although small now, will have a pivotal role in the future of the establishment of businesses.
ReplyDeleteOverall, I really enjoyed the ESRI field trip. Although it did not intrigue me as much as other people, it was nice to see a different perspective on how the workers would use data in helpful ways, such as using it to find places where certain businesses could thrive. I also liked the whole idea of story mapping, as you be able to see data in a whole different way rather than just numbers on a chart.
ReplyDelete