Geographic Information System as a Career: What I Wish I Knew

Do you want to get into GIS as a career? There are so many things about geographic information systems that I didn't learn until I started working. Today I am sharing with you some of the things I wish I would have known.

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Project Spatial is a community where I lead discussions about GIS strategy and how to plan out a successful geographic information system which increases effective decisions in your company and help further your GIS career. I use affiliate links which means when you purchase from my link I get a small portion of that purchase to help support my channel.

[rjwillshear]

Sometimes I have problems explaining to myself what I do, let alone anyone else! I've just accepted "You're a wizard" as the truth 😂

[rachelshaffer]

I wish there was a vid like this when I was in school. I definitely agree having another expertise alongside GIS (utilities, urban planing, engineering, etc) or having a buttload of computer science skill really would have helped.

[mattisgreg]

When I went through my GIS Bachelors program it was right when ArcGIS Online was released and the school I went to viewed and taught it as "This will not go anywhere and it will fail so don't worry about learning it"... 7 years later and after working for Esri for 3 of those years... Look where GIS is... so my advice is pay attention to and learn how to utilize the emerging trends!

[fattahjamil]

I'm coming to the end of my Geography degree and kind of realizing that my passion for cartography will lead me into GIS work. I am so excited to find your channel!

[yersongomezx]

GIS is a total mistery for most people even though every part of their lives is in contact with it in some way or another

[geodrewbilee]

My elevator pitch:

Geography isn’t about what you do but how you do it. As a GIScientist I specialize in how to turn anything into something analysable

[michealkinney]

I like your hot take on the data issue.. biggest issue with GIS (locating, processing, and building the data).

[QuantumLeaper]

You may not know everything, but knowing all that you can gives you an edge.

[Amber-mdut]

I’ve wanted to do gis since I was 13, and I’m starting college in September to work towards it. I’m really excited!

[delyburger]

I worked at my University's IT Help Desk as a student worker while I was in the process of obtaining my degree. The IT experience I got has come in handy countless times in the GIS job field. It is true that you will be the go to IT person in the office.

[velosaurus]

Couldn't agree more about the importance of Computer Science/Programming fundamentals (along with Web Development)!

[olusolaaosibote]

The closing point is just spot on.

And if I may say, that applies generally to the field of Geography.

Sometimes, you just sit and wonder how to explain how relevant Geography and by extension GIS are to people.

It could be a big deal, you know...

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[tehdreamer]

Every GIS person should check out the video "GIS Definition - What we do in the Shadows" . We can all relate 🤣😂

[sidnam]

Hey Katie, I just found your channel and I couldn’t be happier. I just got out of University doing a CS degree, but I’ve been super interested in GIS for years, I’m thinking about the switch now and I’m happy to have found your channel! :)

[rodrigolopez]

Thank you for the information! I am relatively new to gis ( 6 months in my current role) but absolutely love it and want to make sure I navigate the career field in a way that benefits me the best.
Keep up the great work :)

[jennas]

I.... Also have a geology degree!!! I have been trying very hard to find a degree in the geology/Geography field with little luck post graduation. This was so refreshing to hear... I have an interview next week for a public sector gig for a small city in the Midwest. :)

[cybertaiga]

Hi Katie. Nice video there. In my case it is the reverse, I am a former IT engineer (specialised in hardware and networking) and now I want to do something related to Geography. Since school, History and Geography were my favourite subjects and I am still inclined towards those areas. I would say my interest at the core might be in Historical Geography. So when you talked about the "pavement" example for data collection, I instantly got it. Anyway, I am looking at career options in GIS and your videos do give very useful tips. I have subscribed to your channel and signed up for your newsletter. Thank you.

[Ezster]

I found his really interesting, but I quickly found out it's not as easy as j thought it would be. Maps have to meet certain criteria and how layers work.

[buannelgeosolution]

Most of society don't understand the value of Geo Spatial perspective. On the other hand, it is a difficult process for GIS experts to break down the benefits into layman terms and provide examples of applications where GIS provides value. Also, the quantification of added value which GIS provides to organization is also not straightforward.

[sirchancellor]

The ending is so accurate lol, when I had to explain to my parents about what I was going to college for i would just keep it simple and say it’s for making digital maps.