[OKGIS] Getting Started

[Robert Stokes]

Heathe,

I would encourage you to get a degree in geography. This is where I
studied...Geography...
http://www.geog.okstate.edu/

OSU has a certification program that is great to get you started... 
http://www.geog.okstate.edu/gis/gis.htm

To assess the skills you are going to need...I would suggest monitoring
job boards like www.gjc.org
This will give you an idea of what people are looking for in a variety
of GIS jobs...

I would suggest investing in the following (or once similar to it)...buy
it, load the software, and go through the whole thing...if you want to
learn more, you just might be interested in this field...if this makes
your eyes cross...then you can move on with minimal investment

http://www.amazon.com/GIS-Tutorial-Updated-ArcGIS-9-2/dp/158948178X/ref=
pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1202159573&sr=8-1

Good luck!

------------------------------------------------------
Robert Stokes
President, Topographic Mapping Company

OK GITA Chapter President
OK SCAUG Steering Committee



-----Original Message-----
From: okgis-bounces at gis.gis.ou.edu [mailto:okgis-bounces at gis.gis.ou.edu]
On Behalf Of Heathe Kyle Yeakley
Sent: Monday, February 04, 2008 2:53 PM
To: okgis at gis.gis.ou.edu
Subject: [OKGIS] Getting Started

Hello, my name is Heathe and I am interested in changing careers into 
GIS. I currently work as a Unix/Linux Systems Administrator for the US 
Government. I have an Associates degree in Telecommunications from 
OSU-OKC and haven't yet finished a 4 year degree. I heard about GIS a 
few years back and thought it sounded interesting at the time, but I 
didn't give it much thought. Recently, however, I've started thinking 
about changing careers and GIS is the field I'd like to pursue.

My question is, where do I start? I've looked for GIS degree programs at

the local 4 year schools and haven't found anything. Yes, UCO and OU 
have classes on GIS that are part of the curriculum for a Geography (or 
related) degree, but I haven't found a course of study specifically on
GIS.

What type of skills and education do prospective employers want in a GIS

Analyst? Geography, Engineering, Physics? From what I've read the field 
sounds extremely diverse. I'd be happy to finish a 4-year degree if I 
knew what to major in.

What about local resources? If I wanted to just volunteer somewhere to 
get some hands on experience so that I'm not completely green to the 
field, whom should I contact. If I'm not cut out for this line of work 
I'd really like to find out now and save myself and any prospective 
future employers any headaches.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

- Heathe