1. GIS Jobs and Careers Geography CP 400 : GIS Certificate April 12, 2006 Program

2. Presentation Outline GIS Job Titles, Duties, and Relevant Skills Career Development Tips & Strategies Learning Objectives –Develop an understanding of some common types of GIS jobs and what professional GIS work is –Learn basic strategies for advancing your career

3. Developing a Career in GIS

4. GIS Programmer / Analyst

5. GIS Data Developer/Maintainer

6. GIS Cartographer

7. Capability Categories Apprentice : Beginner, has knowledge in a few areas of the business Practitioner : Capable performer of the job Leader : Can do it all, and provide guidance Master : Excels in all areas, a “franchise player”

8. Senior GIS Analyst

9. Other Typical GIS jobs Software Administrator (ArcGIS, SDE, ArcIMS, ArcServer) Desktop GIS Support Public Access/GIS Storefront GIS Trainer Unit Supervisor (Data, Apps, Mapping) GIS Manager / GIS Coordinator

10. Requirements for all GIS jobs Interest in geography, survey, and cartography A professional approach & positive attitude Ability to work productively in teams and independently Ability to see the world from a multi- dimensional and multi-disciplined approach

11. The Timeless Skills Communication: Listening, Writing, Interacting, Presenting information, Speaking Relationship Management: Establishing and maintaining human contacts throughout a profession, a business transaction and/or a community.

12. Customer Service: Establishing a desire for persons to want to continue to do business with you or your organization. Problem Solving: Ability to recognize, diagnose, triage, and address issues.

13. Entering the GIS Workforce

14. Identifying Opportunities www.seattle.gov/jobs www.gjc.org marketplace.nwsource.com/jobs/ (seattle times)marketplace.nwsource.com/jobs/ www.urisa.org/Jobs/jobsmktpl.htm www.colorsnw.com/classifieds.html#helpw antedwww.colorsnw.com/classifieds.html#helpw anted

15. Other resources that have GIS jobs www.monster.com www.dice.com hotjobs.yahoo.com/ giscareers.com http://careers.geocomm.com/

16. Resume Preparation Include a career objective up front Highlight your skills Education; provide basic info, and any awards or relevant research Make it informative, yet easy to read No typos or ambiguities

17. More on Resume development Look at other resumes to see what grabs your attention, is easy to read and is informative Don’t stretch the truth, it could come back to haunt you Have at least one other person read your resume before you submit it Follow up with phone call when possible

18. Interviewing Strategies Do some research up front Dress appropriately Arrive early Be an active listener Bring paper & pen and use them Put yourself in the organization’s shoes; (how can you help solve a problem they have) Relax and breathe

19. More on Interviewing Be succinct, yet complete in responses Be sure to highlight your timeless skills and relevant experience Ask questions: about the job, organization, possible assignments, next steps in process Aim to take up 90-95% of time

20. Behaviors of successful professionals PERSONAL Quality of Work Customer Service Excellence Personal Initiative Positive Attitude Innovative Thinking INTER PERSONAL Successful Team Member Leadership Instincts Loyalty Strategic Thinking Tactical Efficiency

21. Advise from GIS Managers Any Experience helps in the beginning Capstone Project is valuable; use it Subject / Content / Quality are important GIS is in use everywhere, keep your search broad and not just in government organizations Analytical Thinking will be of great help

22. Final words of Wisdom Patience and Persistence Follow your Passions but be flexible too Organization and Priority Setting Take some Big Risks, but not the little ones Learn to accept less than perfect..sometimes Be Ethical in everything you do Establish and work to maintain Balance Know what you know, what you don’t know and recognize that what is…….is.

23. The End