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| GeoCommunity Mailing List |
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| Subject: | Re: [gislist] RE: GIS education/degree |
| Date: |
02/11/2005 05:10:01 PM |
| From: |
Stephany Filimon |
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I believe this is why the www.gisci.org certification was developed with
both students and working professionals in mind. Their entire system
for getting GIS certification acknowledges that many people, especially
those who began working with GIS before academic programs were devoted
to the subject, "learned by doing' in the work force and awards
certification credit for it.
Just tossing that in - don't have the time to write a decent post on the
rest of this debate right this instant.
Vikki Avara-Snider wrote:
>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
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