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| Subject: | Re: [gislist] RE: GIS education/degree |
| Date: |
02/12/2005 04:40:01 PM |
| From: |
hvp |
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"The "unofficial" reason is that GIS can be learned
without a 4-year degree but universities need the revenue."
:: I think that locking-up skilled labor for 2 extra years would not be something that the industry would want. And the industry gets what it wants more than the academia.
Anyway, the main thrust of good education is not to memorize superfluous details or get a "paper degree", but rather to encourage "plurality of thoughts". Think of college as an "sand box for the mind" where you can test your ideas W/O all the constrains of professional life. In that I agree with Margaret.
In any case, it is very likely that most of the technical skills you are using right now expire in the next 10 years. Given that, the ability to adapt and practice "multi-linear problem solving" assume greater importance. I have met quite a few GIS professionals who started-off in non-traditional branches, but have shown necessary adaptability in switching to GIS.
And hopefully, when the various certification programs like [http://www.gisci.org] pick-up momentum, we would have more structure in our professional field. We all know of the few professionals who can't perform basic scripting/programming but continue to masquerade as GIS "Specialists".
Harsh
PS: Strawman Report [http://www.ucgis.org/priorities/education/strawmanreport.htm]
---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: Margaret Gooding <mgooding@adelphia.net>
Date: Sat, 12 Feb 2005 10:28:20 -0800
I have a GIS certificate (16 semester units) from a local community college
(this did not require even a high school diploma). I also have a BS in
Geology (earned before the certificate) and am currently working towards a
MS in GIS through the UniGIS program (I hope to teach at a community
college). I would not have gotten my GIS positions (both current and
previous) without some sort of 4 year degree. Most employers who require
one believe that a degree shows that you have the perseverance to make it
through 4 years (though in my case it was more than 25 years) and finish
something. A degree also makes you a more well-rounded person. You should
probably be able to get a technician position with just a certificate, but
for anything more, you need something more. Universities that require a
degree before attempting a post-baccalaureate GIS program assume that you
will have learned a certain number of things while obtaining your
bachelor's - such as how to write, how to study, and similar. I don't think
it is just revenue enhancement since they don't require the degree from
their university.
Margaret
At 09:17 AM 2/11/2005, Barb Wallner 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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