CAREERS IN GIS

The short answer is that it can’t necessarily hurt you.  If you have just graduated from college or are just starting out in the GIS industry, I definitely encourage you to get a GIS certificate if you have not already.  It can only help your chances in finding a job.

You need to consider a few things first though….

1)  Look carefully at the different certificate programs offered by colleges and universities.  What sort of classes are in the curriculum?  How many classes are required to complete the program?  What I am trying to say is that not all GIS certificates are equal.  No all-powerful oversight committee or accreditation body decides which schools can offer certificates and which ones cannot.  That decision is usually left up to the educational institution in question.  These certificate programs are no doubt put together with the best intentions, but be wary of what you enroll for.  For this reason, the Association of American Geographers (AAG) and the University Consortium for Geographic Information Science (UCGIS) published the Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIS & T) Body of Knowledge.  This book was put together to give a comprehensive picture of what you should expect from different GIS programs.  The book costs $25 but you may be able to get a copy of it through your local library.  With this knowledge you can compare and contrast offerings from different schools.

2)  If you have many years of experience with GIS software and applications but never received a formal GIS certificate, will that count against you?  Once again, it can’t hurt you.  But what are you expecting to come away with from the certificate program?  I would hope that it would add to what you already know.  Paying a lot of money for a piece of paper that does not challenge your abilities or make you more knowledgeable does not necessarily make you better or more qualified for the job you want.

3)  A degree in the GIS carries a lot more weight than a certificate.  At the same time, I have met plenty of esteemed geographers who don’t have a clue about GIS.  Knowing about maps or geography does not necessarily mean you know how to apply it.  Applied geography is the essence of GIS.  GIS is not just about learning technology as many may think.  It’s about learning technology with a spatial perspective in mind.  Do not lose sight of that when diving into a GIS certificate program.