GIS Career Pathways

Organizations in all disciplines need professionals skilled in integrating GIS with their core business. The following sites will help you plan for your GIS career or help you train your workforce in GIS.

For Career Planners

• American Planning Association:
  Everything to Enhance Your Career and Find a Job
• American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing:
  ASPRS Career Brochure
• Association of American Geographers:
  AAG Career Guide: Jobs in Geography and Related Geographical Sciences
• Urban and Regional Information Systems Association:
  URISA GIS and IT Career Center
• GIS Certification Institute: Become a certified GIS professional

Job Market Predictions

• Monster.com: Career Convergence: When Business and IT Meet
• Directions Magazine: GIS Job Market Predictions
• Nature: Mapping Opportunities [PDF]

For Employers

• ArcUser Magazine: Secrets to Developing a GIS-Skilled Workforce
• Institute for Advanced Education in Geospatial Sciences: Online workforce training courses tailored to government, education, and industry needs
• SPACESTARS: GIS/RS/GPS curricula for workforce development

For Students and Educators

• Career Voyages: Geospatial Technology Apprenticeship
• University Consortium for Geographic Information Science: Model Curricula Project

Video Profiles: People and GIS

• From Kidz Online: Streaming Futures —The convergence of science and technology makes for a powerful and interesting medium to work in. Watch the interview with ESRI president Jack Dangermond.
• From Career Corner TV's Virtual Job Shadow program—Explore how GIS and other geospatial technologies are key to these persons' careers.

GIS Manager Conservationist Helicopter Pilot Health Geographer

Ingrid Bruce, City of Rancho Cucamonga
You probably know that Christopher Columbus proved the world wasn't flat. Well, even he would be surprised to discover the profound impact technology has had on geography. Ingrid Bruce demonstrates in 3D how GIS technology takes maps into a new dimension.

Michael Fay, Wildlife Conservation Society
If traveling around the world, living in the wilderness, investigating geography, and literally saving the planet appeals to you, then you'll find Dr. Michael Fay's video fascinating. Check it out.

Steve Robinson, Los Angeles Fire Department
You just can't keep a person like Steve down on the ground for long. He prefers to save lives and protect property while manning the skies. You'll also see how GIS technology helps him keep the public safer than ever.

Seth Wiafe, Loma Linda University
Who would have thought that Geographic Technology could help save the planet from a health crisis. Seth Wiafe did, that's why he advises all public health professionals to think spatially.