Calling all Students!
Students have access to a wide variety of worthwhile opportunities through WLIA. Exposure to a vast range of land information, mapping, and geospatial professions in Wisconsin means students can learn more about potential career avenues as they prepare for the future.
Membership Benefits
Membership Rate
WLIA membership for students is free! As an association we encourage students to get
involved and offer free membership as incentive to students to engage with all of the wonderful opportunities WLIA has to offer.
Slack Workspace Access
WLIA maintains a robust communication network via Slack – where members can connect on a variety of topics like technical questions, job announcements, special events, and others. Slack is a lively space for connecting directly with other members and learning more about current issues or fun activities.
Member Compass
WLIA members can create and manage their member profile, register for conferences and workshops, mange payments and accounts, and keep track of event calendars by using the useful features in Member Compass on the WLIA website.
Access to Events
Conferences and Workshops
Three regular professional meetings occur each year including the heavily attended Annual Conference as well as Fall and Spring Conferences. The WLIA Annual Conference draws as many as 500 attendees each year and is held at accommodating venues in cities across Wisconsin. The Fall and Spring meetings are typically smaller in attendance and are held in variety of locations so attendees can experience different geographic areas of the state. In the summer, WLIA offers a series of virtual workshops aimed at wide ranging topics like trending technologies, project and time management, workflow/workplace improvements, and relevant current issues like Next Gen 911.
Reduced Registration Fees and Volunteer Opportunities
Students receive reduced registration rates for all WLIA conferences and events. The association strongly believes in reducing barriers and encouraging student participation by lowering the cost to attend meetings. In addition, special volunteer opportunities make it possible for students to attend at even further discounted rates. Volunteering their time as room monitors or map contest helpers are just some of the ways students help to make WLIA meetings successful - while earning free access to educational presentations and networking opportunities.
Exposure to Employers and Job Postings
Attending WLIA meetings gives students a chance to meet potential employers and learn more about what types of professional positions exist in government, the private sector, academia, non-profit organizations and more. Open professional and internship position postings are accessible at these events as well.
Annual Conference
Career Connections
A entire session track during the WLIA annual conference is dedicated to connecting students and potential employers via the Career Connections program. Previous sessions have included informational career panels, mock interviews, and resume advice. Career Connections offers students valuable one-on-one time with employers to ask important questions about what it takes to be successful in the workplace. Extensively dedicated Q&A time during career panel presentations gives students a chance to learn from early, mid, and late career individuals.
Success Stories
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New Member Engagement
A session just for new members is held at the annual conference to welcome those who are attending the conference for the first time, or are new to the association and want an overview of what typically unfolds during the busy 2.5 day meeting. Paper session highlights, social event and silent auction details, and chances to meet and greet in person throughout the conference are just a few reasons to attend the New Member Engagement session.