Transitioning to a Career in GIS

The beginning stages of a career change can be overwhelming, but with the right information and resources, the transition can be painless. 

We asked several URISA members to shed some light on how to transition into a career in GIS. Here’s what they had to say:

Will I need to go back to school? What kind of degree program should I pursue? What types of software programs should I study?

• “The best courses you should take are the ones that comprise a certificate level course…get the basics down first, and then make the decision to either go for a complete degree, finish your GISP, or get some hands on training. You should have a basic understanding of what a GIS is, some of the software options, raster and digital information, database structure, and some basic programming within an application. This will enable you to decide your course of action listed above. It will also, begin to reduce that expansive field into something more manageable.”
• “Depends on what areas of practice you wish to head into. The new Geospatial Technology Competency Model (GTCM) from the US Department of Labor provides a list of basic skill areas you need to have at least a rudimentary knowledge of. Based on my personal experience, I would recommend the following subject areas to consider: Geography, Elementary Surveying, Remote Sensing, Cartography, Computer Drafting, Basic Programming (Java, Python, C#, ASP .NET), Database Administration, and Basic Computer Networking. Software applications I would look to include: Esri ArcGIS Suite, Erdas Imagine, AutoCAD, Photoshop, Microsoft SQL Server, PostgresSQL, FlexBuilder, and Visual Studio.”
• “I personally think you should major in whatever field you are interested in and then take whatever GIS classes that are offered. In specific I would look into learning the ESRI ArcGIS suite with a concentration of Desktop and Server technology. You can also look into open source GIS as many organizations use a combination. This way you can learn how to use GIS to solve a specific subject matter problem or make a subject matter decision. I would also learn at least one programming language such as python and .NET or Java.”
• “These days, GIS certificates and degrees are offered by a number of colleges and universities. There are numerous opportunities for online education as well, both from vendors and from educational institutions. So multiple options for education exist. I would suggest sticking with credited programs using well-known software (like ESRI).”

What about math? Is it necessary to have math skills to have a successful career in GIS?

• “The math skills required are dependent on what you are planning to do with your GIS career. Are you intent on map making, database design and development, or are you looking to go into a more statistical, analytical or programming branch of the field?”
• “Trig would help but I don't think its necessary.”

What application areas for GIS offer the best employment prospects?

• “GIS is invading many areas including Emergency Response, Engineering, Surveying, Municipal Planning, News Reporting, Elections, Land Management, Business Development, Vehicle routing, and so on. Based on what I see as current trends developing applications that make data easily available and usable by decision makers is where the most growth potential lies right now. This includes spatially enabling business systems such as Work Order Management, Customer Databases, Billing Databases and so on as well as taking it mobile through the use of smart phones and tablets plus the web.”

What is the minimal level of education and knowledge necessary to get an entry-level position?

• “Education and knowledge necessary for an entry-level position could be a few courses under your belt. Often employers will work with you to finish your coursework and certification within a specified length of time while you are gaining experience. I have found that in some cases that is a win-win for both the employer and the new employee.”
• “A bachelors degree in your field of choice and a good amount of course work and/or a GIS certificate. An internship or volunteering opportunities that utilizes GIS is also very helpful.”
• “For an entry level ‘cartographer’ who uses the technology for mapping and some analysis, the minimum might be a college degree specializing in the technology.”

Additional Resources 

Looking for information about making the transition to a career in GIS? Visit these discussion boards, websites or join an email list. Here are a few resources recommended by our members. 

• Degree and Certificate Programs
• Seven Hills Regional Users Group (SHRUG) 
• NC List of Email Groups including GIS 
• Connecticut GIS List 
• LinkedIn GIS Groups
• The GIS Jobs Clearinghouse provides an overview of current GIS related job offerings

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