Career Paths for Geo Information Science Students

for the Student of GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Common Career Paths Since the emergence of Bing Maps, Google Maps, and Google Earth and the popularization of the GPS, Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIST) has become integrated into everyday life. GIS connects data and people to the places they live, work, and play. WHAT IS GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE (GIS)? GIS is an information technology field that gathers, manages, analyzes, and visualizes data focusing on geographic and spatial contexts It uses this information about geographical features to evaluate real-world problems and devise solutions Common examples are: GPS, demographic and remote sensing data WHAT IS THE GIS FIELD LIKE? The US Department of Labor has named Geospatial Technology a High Growth Industry. Increasing demand for readily available, accurate, and current geographic information coupled with the growing use of advanced technology creates a need for GIS specialists. In 2004, the DoL announced a series of investments totalling The market is growing at an annual rate of nearly Salaries vary between $30,000 O 35% More than $6.4 MILLION = and to help enhance the geospatial technology industry $90,000 The commercial sector of the market is growing at an annual rate of depending on experience and position 100%! WHAT TYPES OF CAREERS CAN I HAVE? Industry & Non-profit Sector Geospatial Jobs: Industries such as utilities, telecommunications, and education are the largest consumers of GIS technology Identify and access the most relevant populations Build efficient communication and distribution networks Analyze the competition O 70-80% The Geospatial Information & Technology Association (GITA) reports that about of information managed by business is connected to a specific location Government Revenues from the public sector make up more than one-third of the total geospatial revenue Geospatial Jobs: Manage national natural resources Develop defense strategies Determine voting districts Analyze census data FEMA SPENT Develop campaign strategies $1.4 billion to convert paper flood insurance rates maps into digital GIS-useable maps Strengthen homeland security Route sanitation and emergency vehicles Law Enforcement & Criminal Justice Transportation A civic-minded GIS specialist can work to: A GIS specialist can: Identify problems or at-risk areas PECIA Synthesize and visualize large amounts of information to streamline transportation Allocate scarce resources more efficiently Analyze crime trends over time to see the "big picture" decision-making POLICE Map response times and create a more efficient police force Devise the most efficient routes for Provide real-time mapping of incidents public and private transportation Analyze traffic flow, identify problem areas, and develop solutions The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department was able to reduce the amount of time spent in their decision-making process by 60% by implementing GIS technology Health & Human Services A GIS specialist in the medical field can make a huge difference Engineering & Surveying Use your GIS training to build and map the physical world Pinpoint those in need and locate health and human services From 2002 to 2012, the number of surveying and accordingly mapping technicians Analyze populations to see how their environments affects their health and well-being grew 23% EXAMPLES: Explore the possible occupations of: Map pedestrian environments and physical activity Geodesigners Chart air pollution and health effects Geospatial Analyst Geospatial Application Developer Geospatial Programmer Geographer Surveyor Cartographer Civil / Environmental Engineers LİDAR / Remote Sensing Specialists Real Estate & Environmental Site Selection Location, location, location! Whether it's a new home or a new park, GIS specialists know that location is key Find the best location for a store, home, or road by analyzing: Aerial photos Use reports and maps to weigh the merits of one site over others Traffic Competitive landscapes Demographics Natural resource management Topography Marketing Maps, profiles, and groups customers based on purchasing habits Use your GIS skills to develop a holistic marketing plan that: Pinpoints the "best customers“ and where to find them Maps successful campaign territories and matches advertisements to demographics Screens product use by region WITH THE SKILLS GAINED FROM A DEGREE IN GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, the possibilities are endless! Want to join a growing industry, develop your spatial intelligence and create a more efficient world? Check out USC's Geographic Information Science & Technology Master's and Graduate Certificate programs. Learn more at http://gis.usc.edu. SOURCES http://www.doleta.gow/brg/indprof/geospatial profile.cim http://geospatialcareers.net/salaries.html http://www.doleta.gow/brg/indprot/geospatial.cim http://www.doleta.gow/brg/pdi/Geospatial%20Final%20Report_08212007.pdi http://gis.usc.edugist/gis-laqs/ http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R41825.pdi http://www.calmis.ca.gov/file/occguide/geogspechtm http://www.esri.com/library/brochures/pdis/gis-for-direct-marketing.pdf http://www.esri.com/library/bestpractices/real-estate.pdf http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/publicroads 06mar05.cim http://www.ncn-npcpss.com/geospatial-technology-training-resources/ http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/gis/gis-research/eer-program/ http://education.nationalgeographic.com/media/file/Geospatial-High-Growth- Profile.pdi