Skills

Many GIS careers are technical, and GeoCommunity identifies some core skills in "What Skills Does A GIS Analyst Require?" As more businesses discover the benefits of GIS, business acumen is also becoming a highly important skill.

Education

GIS professionals are educated in three main ways.

• Through special certificate programs at colleges and universities (most common)
   
• Through degree programs at colleges and universities
   
• As part of their curriculum in other specialties such as while pursuing an urban planning degree

Esri has compiled a database of higher-education institutions you can use to find a program near you.