I have always been reliant on the organizations I have worked for and the institutions I have attended to provide me with access to Esri software. A permanent copy on my home computer has given me the freedom to explore the software and refine the skills I have obtained through my GIS courses taken at the University of Toronto and Dalhousie University. As I finish my second year of my graduate program at Dalhousie, having a permanent copy of Esri software has allowed me to pursue research and continue working on unfinished projects. The Spatial and 3D Analyst extensions are instrumental to my research over the coming year as I assess and visualize sea level rise, flooding, and associated vulnerabilities along the waterfronts of Halifax Regional Municipality. Learning new GIS skills and having access to Esri software for a year has better prepared me for the workforce and has kept my GIS skills up-to-date.