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| GeoCommunity Mailing List |
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| Mailing List Archives |
| Subject: | Re: [gislist] GIS Certification? |
| Date: |
06/10/2004 10:30:02 PM |
| From: |
Sean Grimland |
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I may be young and naive but I like to think that my
Master's degree in GIS is a 'vendor-neutral'
certificate of my skills. No, it doesn't certify my
professional experience: my CV does that along with a
check of my references. The diploma does however,
conferred on me by a reputable school (Clark
University) certify that I have studied GIS concepts
and theories and mastered the application of these
theories. If that isn't good enough for you, then
maybe I don't want to work for you.
Cheers,
Sean Grimland
--- Jeff Harrison <jeffreygharrison@aol.com> wrote:
> First, this is an awesome discussion. Second, it's
> great to vent the
> opinions. Finally, folks have figured out that to
> advance the "GIS"
> market you need to provide vehicles of legitimacy
> and, as Brian says
> below, a Certification only means as much as the
> industry will allow.
>
> Large software vendors are always going to try and
> seek brand loyalty
> through their professional certification programs.
> However, I think the
> increasing number of organizations jumping into the
> technology
> certification market is causing the market to
> reconsider what kind of
> certification is most valuable. What I hope will
> happen is that
> employers and IT professionals will begin to see
> vendor neutral
> certification as the foundation of a more balanced
> program, which
> focuses, at least initially, on the methodology and
> technology rather
> than a specific brand or software. A benefit of
> such vendor-neutral
> certifications for technology professional is that
> they teach the
> technology foundations first and provide a broader
> knowledge base.
>
> Now, onto the GISCI issue. There is one sure way to
> tell if a
> Certification Program is vendor-neutral and that's
> to look at who
> develops, approves and maintains the Certification.
> After reading the
> posts on this list I looked at the "Certification
> Committee" for GISCI
> and I only see one vendor.
>
> Scott, I'd be curious to know what other software
> vendors participate in
> the Certification Committee?
>
> Regards,
> Jeff Harrison
>
>
>
>
> Brian Russo wrote on 6/10/2004, 6:15 PM:
>
> > We really should be certifying software as well
> then..
> >
> >
> > At Thu, Jun 10, 2004 at 02:30:06PM -0400,
> Miller, Harold wrote:
> > > Like many things in life, we all have an
> opinion. Short of making
> > one feel
> > > good about their accomplishments, a
> Certification will only mean as
> > much as
> > > the industry will allow. I think legislating
> it for the sake of it
> > has no
> > > positive value. As a GIS Professional working
> in an Engineering
> > firm, I see
> > > the value of professional certification. Its
> borne out of
> liability and
> > > accountability. That is to say that if an
> engineer designs something
> > that
> > > fails and harm is caused, then as a certified
> professional, and the
> > only one
> > > who could authorize its design, liability for
> the failure has a
> source.
> > >
> > > As a GIS professional for the better part of
> 20 years, I have
> worked on
> > > numerous projects, in numerous situations.
> Some have involved
> > authorizing /
> > > signing off on design aspects for GIS systems.
> Some have done better
> > than
> > > others, but I have never as a GIS professional
> been in a legal
> > liability
> > > situation similar to a doctor, lawyer,
> engineer or even licensed
> > surveyor.
> > > That is not to say that it can't happen or
> hasn't happened.
> > >
> > > I am supportive of a Certification process
> that has real purpose and
> > > engenders real forwarding of the science or
> practice. But, as GIS as a
> > > supporting discipline or business becomes a
> commodity, it becomes less
> > > justifiable. GIS is more about intelligent
> data management in
> > support of
> > > other businesses and practices - i.e.
> Engineering, Environment, Land
> > > Management, etc..
> > >
> > > There will always need to be a core of pure
> GIS specialists to
> > continue to
> > > move the science and related technology
> forward and maybe that is
> > where a
> > > certification discussion or option can be
> focused - Just my 2 cents
> > (sorry
> > > 2.7 Canadian)
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