|
|
| GeoCommunity Mailing List |
| |
| Mailing List Archives |
| Subject: | Re: [gislist] RE: GIS education/degree |
| Date: |
02/11/2005 05:05:00 PM |
| From: |
Vikki Avara-Snider |
|
|
Barb is right, and I for one thank her for the intestinal fortitude to
say it publicly.
Unfortunately there are too many "managers" out there who perpetuate
the myth that a person with a degree necessarily knows more than someone
who is self taught (or even had some good pre-requisite classes) and
has been working in the field for awhile. Beyond that it's just not
necessarily true that to be a competent GIS professional you need to go
through all the hoops that getting a four year degree requires. 99% of
what we really learn in GIS is from on the job training.
Many JCs offer certificates in GIS, and are taught by professionals in
the field who know exactly what a person will need on the job. Class
materials specificly address what a person needs to know in a working
situation. And yes, people right out of high school do cut it in these
programs. The reason for this is that so many high schools are teaching
the fundamentals of GIS as part of their regular curriculum. It's not
rocket science.
"Reputable" organizations would do well to look beyond the piece of
paper and its accompanying GPA and look at the applicants work history
and demonstrated ability to accomplish specific tasks. It is arrongance
and laziness on the part of hiring managers that consideration of a job
candidate only begins after establishing that there is a degree.
Obviously, all the above depends on having graduated High School being
able to rub a few brain cells together.
>>> spatialgis@yahoo.ca 02/11/05 11:00:46 AM >>>
Wow Barb.. pretty bold statement. Sure people with no post-secondary ed
can obviously "learn GIS" although I challenge most of them to advance
much further than a position as a digitizing slave or intern who tops
out at about $10 per hour. The fact is that unless a candidate has the
fundamentals typically obtained by any bachelor's of science degree (ie.
statistics, algebra, trig, principles of cartography, air photo
interpretation, fundamentals of remote sensing etc...) then they simply
will likely not cut it as an industry professional with a reputable
organization.
Naturally there are many very skilled GIS professionals who likely have
no further ed than a high school diploma but in general, most managers
won't look at a person without a BSc or at the least a technical
diploma. To imply anything else is simply off target. Judging by your
email address I assume you are involved in k-12 ed... I would have
thought that you'd have a bit more insight than what your message
indicates.
FYI, there are 2 year technology diplomas available but most of them do
require a degree to enter.. People right out of high school would likely
never cut it in these programs.
Barb Wallner <wallnebj@mail.milwaukee.k12.wi.us> wrote:
I'm sure there are enough people on this listserv who are working in
some
compacity in GIS without a university degree, and who do not have the
time
or
the money to pursue a 4-year degree to move into the graduate program
were
it seems that universities like to offer it. I'm sure there are 2
reasons
for this. The "official" reason is to have students who already have a
discipline "on paper". The "unofficial" reason is that GIS can be
learned
without a 4-year degree but universities need the revenue. If you have
passion in the areas of mapping, earth science, environmental issues,
geography, you are already, I'm sure, well-versed in your passion, and
can
do just as well as someone with a "paper degree".
I would like to see some defense, one way or another, on this
discussion
from university people.
Sincerely,
Barb
_______________________________________________
gislist mailing list
gislist@lists.geocomm.com
http://lists.geocomm.com/mailman/listinfo/gislist
_________________________________
This list is brought to you by
The GeoCommunity
http://www.geocomm.com/
Get Access to the latest GIS & Geospatial Industry RFPs and bids
http://www.geobids.com
---------------------------------
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Search presents - Jib Jab's 'Second Term'
_______________________________________________
gislist mailing list
gislist@lists.geocomm.com
http://lists.geocomm.com/mailman/listinfo/gislist
_________________________________
This list is brought to you by
The GeoCommunity
http://www.geocomm.com/
Get Access to the latest GIS & Geospatial Industry RFPs and bids
http://www.geobids.com
_______________________________________________
gislist mailing list
gislist@lists.geocomm.com
http://lists.geocomm.com/mailman/listinfo/gislist
_________________________________
This list is brought to you by
The GeoCommunity
http://www.geocomm.com/
Get Access to the latest GIS & Geospatial Industry RFPs and bids
http://www.geobids.com
|
|
Sponsored by:
For information
regarding
advertising rates
Click Here!
|
