[OKGIS] Getting Started

[Todd Fagin]

Hi Heathe, 

 

The Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) is in the process of putting
together an Associates degree in GIS.  They are offering their first GIS
class this semester and hope to have the program in place by the fall
semester (if I understand things correctly).

 

Also, if you are just interested in GIS training, but not an actual degree,
the Moore-Norman Technology Center offers GIS training, as do a number of
private companies.  Additionally, organizations like the South-Central Arc
Users Group (SCAUG) and Mid-America GIS Consortium (MAGIC) offer
training/seminars with some of their conferences.

 

I would also highly recommend you try to make it out to GIS Day at the
<http://okmaps.onenet.net/GIS_day.htm>  Capitol on March 12.  There, you can
meet many individuals in the Oklahoma GIS community.  

 

I know this doesn't answer all of your questions, but hopefully this will
put you on the right track.  

 

Todd Fagin

 

Coordinate Solutions, Inc.

501 N.E. 15th St.

Oklahoma City, OK 73104

405.740.4324 (voice)

904.471.5548 (fax)

www.coordinatesolutions.com

 

 

 

-----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

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