Graduating with Purpose: Pilar Yager on GIS, Hard Work, and Lifelong Learning

Pilar Yager is a nontraditional student graduating this spring with a Bachelor of Science in geographic information systems technologies in the School of Geography, Development and Environment. While earning her degree, she worked full time as a GIS specialist for a water district in South Orange County, California. Yager recently began a new position with Esri, a transition made possible by her professional experience and academic accomplishments.

What motivated you to pursue this particular degree at the University of Arizona, and what has that experience been like for you?

The lack of a degree while working in the GIS field, the reputation of the University of Arizona, and the ease of access to the quality education that would bring respect within my professional community. I would not be completely honest if I did not mention it was difficult. Working with GIS during the day at my full-time position, then coming home to do more GIS, felt overwhelming at times. However, seeing the progress every semester, knowing I was establishing a foundational base of confidence in my knowledge, and investing the time to improve myself kept me going and focused.

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What does it mean to you personally to be graduating this spring?

It is incredibly satisfying and provides me with a great sense of pride and confidence that I can do anything and accomplish whatever I set my mind to, no matter what the challenges are or the timeline involved. I didn’t give up on myself or my dreams and desires. Hard work and persistence got me there.

You’ve been working toward your degree while working full time — how did you manage that balance over the past four years?

Striking a balance for me involved setting a schedule, understanding what the timelines were for each class, staying on track, and a lot of planning now and ahead. The biggest challenge was each new syllabus that came with each class, and finding the time to schedule downtime to recover from work and school. When on school breaks, I took the opportunity to do as many self-care items as I possibly could, and took vacation time from work when I needed to work on a project or recharge my energy.

What is your official title at Esri, and what are your main responsibilities in this new role?

I am an industry solutions specialist. Water industry specialists are experienced GIS subject matter experts within specific industries. The water industry specialist serves as a thought leader in understanding how GIS, mapping, and location analytics can transform and modernize organizations within the water industry, including water, wastewater, stormwater, and water resources. The Industry Solutions team assists in developing and executing a marketing strategy to grow Esri technology within the industry and support business objectives.

How do you see your previous experience in the water industry shaping your contributions at Esri?

As an industry expert with 20 years of experience at one of the largest water agencies in Orange County, I led the development and implementation of the agency’s first enterprise GIS—an initiative that transformed operations, improved decision-making, and continues to serve as a foundational tool across departments. My time in the engineering department allowed me to bring a unique technical perspective to the GIS project, ensuring it was not only designed to meet the agency’s current needs but also adaptable to future demands. Establishing that system from the ground up was not only a technical achievement but also an incredibly empowering milestone in my career.

Can you share how your education directly impacted your candidacy for the job at Esri?

While my professional experience makes me a thought leader and subject matter expert in the water industry, graduating this spring with a Bachelor of Science in geographic information systems technology from the U of A demonstrates that I am not only willing but also able to learn, and am committed to continuing that growth. Not only did I bring foundational knowledge, but I also showed initiative and a desire to complete my education. Having a degree was a requirement of this position, and this value is something I will carry with me going forward, no matter what position I seek. It certainly had a positive impact and helped me distinguish myself among other applicants.

How do you hope to grow in your new role over the next few years?

I hope to continue to learn new skills and abilities in GIS and beyond. Learning is a lifelong activity for me, and I enjoy the opportunity to learn new areas of business, life, and everything in general. This eagerness to learn helps keep me relevant and connected to the world around me, not only in business but the environment and everything else in between. I am eager to continue this growth in whatever way I can. In my new role at Esri, GIS is dynamic, and it is at the heart of innovation and information. GIS is now in every facet of life, from marketing, analytics, and science, to finding our way around town. Growth is inevitable both for me and GIS - might as well enjoy the ride!

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