GIS technology integrates spatial and administrative information system which brings together various scientific disciplines like cartography, remote sensing, geography, surveying, statistics, photogrammetry and geodesy. GIS careers have varied salaries depending on the type of geographical information specialist job in question. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the annual salary for surveyors in 2009 was $57,000, while photogrammetrists and cartographers earned around $59,000. GIS jobs are valuable in the following areas: street network control, land, natural resources and facilities management. One of GIS's practical applications is street network control and this is vital in the operation of the postal, police and fire department services, as well as in giving information for builders. GIS jobs are crucial for these service-anchored agencies and therefore finding qualified and skilled workers to fill these jobs are also critical. GIS jobs found in land management are used in the preparation of zoning and land subdivision plans and in mapping. Those in natural resources management are give analysis of the hazards of toxins to natural resources such as land and groundwater. GIS jobs in facilities management are important to utility and construction companies or agencies.
Having an understanding of the extent and scope of various GIS jobs can help you make a decision where to get these jobs and the requirements you must meet to qualify for these jobs. Gaining appropriate and full education that will prepare you for GIS jobs is the first thing to do to have a successful career in this field. Completion of a bachelor's and master's degrees in geographical information science is the best educational foundation for landing GIS jobs in various private and government agencies. There are also several educational institutions such as community colleges and technical institutes that offer job-specific degrees on surveying technology or surveying.
Gaining a much higher educational background and strong technical or computer skills in using GIS will give you the needed advantage over other job applicants. Aside from enrolling in a formal educational institution, undergoing GIS internships can also boost your chances of landing better GIS jobs in the future. Through these internships with government agencies or private companies that are involved in the specific field of GIS that you are interested in, provides you with hands-on experience that is essential for your skill development and to increase your understanding and knowledge about the job.
Now that you are equipped with a strong education and credible internship experience, you will be more confident in your search for GIS jobs. The first thing you need to prepare in scouting for GIS jobs is to make a comprehensive resume that highlights your qualifications and your capabilities to perform the required tasks. Give emphasis to your previous work experiences, be it an internship, voluntary or regular employment, to show the extent of your expertise and your line of specialization. After preparing this, you can start your search by checking out local newspapers or surfing the internet for recent job postings.
You can visit the GIS job posting website to learn of the latest GIS jobs available in real companies all over the country. Positions range from technicians to experienced analysts. In sending your resumes and applications, submit them to as many companies as possible, even if you think you are not what they are looking for or even if they don't have a job opening. Doing this can increase your chances of landing GIS jobs in any of those companies where you submitted your application. Sending a follow up letter after 2 weeks to each GIS Company that you applied for will also give the company the feeling that you are truly professional and care for the job. The outlook for GIS jobs is good, with an expected increase of 19 percent between 2008 and 2018, which is considered to be faster than the average job growth for all U.S. occupations in the same period.
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