[OKGIS] Getting Started

[dw.converse at okc.gov]

I am going to tag on Gage's answer and say that you will find yourself
very valuable as a GIS/ Cartography/Mapping professional with a degree
in one of these fields.  
Additionally, you will find yourself able to license as a Professional
Land Surveyor. Not bad options to have for employment opportunities. 
 
 
 <file://ci.okc/okc/redirect-medium/pwdc8535pc/OKC%20SEAL.jpg> 
 

D. W. Converse, P.E., P.L.S.

FLOOD PLAIN MANAGEMENT 

DRAINAGE ENGINEERING

 

The City Of Oklahoma City

420 W. Main Street

Public Works - Suite 700

Oklahoma City, OK 73102

 

Phone: (405) 297-3927

Fax: (405) 297-2117

 

City of OKC Website: http://www.okc.gov/

Public Works Website: http://www.okc.gov/pw

	-----Original Message-----
	From: okgis-bounces at gis.gis.ou.edu
[mailto:okgis-bounces at gis.gis.ou.edu] On Behalf Of Gage Schulz
	Sent: Monday, February 04, 2008 3:07 PM
	To: Oklahoma GIS Community
	Subject: Re: [OKGIS] Getting Started
	
	
	Hi Heathe-
	 
	If you are in the Tulsa area, I believe TCC has a class you can
take. You will not find a degree in GIS - most GIS professionals have
either a Geography or Cartography degree. The true value in GIS is
knowing how to manage a database and the appropriate tools as GIS is
database centric. Also, look at the college in Ada, they have a degree
program in mapping sciences.  If you really want to make money in GIS -
the future demands in GIS will be in business applications, not
necessarily the mapping industry.
	 
	Hope this helps. We encourage you to submit a resume, as we are
always looking to expand our staff and potential services.
	 
	Gage Schulz
	
	
	On Feb 4, 2008 2:53 PM, Heathe Kyle Yeakley <heathe at slaggle.com>
wrote:
	

		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
		




	-- 
	Gage Schulz
	Business Development Coordinator
	Aerial Data Service, Inc.
	8301 E. 51st Street, Ste. 100
	Tulsa, OK 74145-9046
	918-622-4144 phone
	918-622-4119 fax
	800-888-9163 toll-free
	www.aerialdata.com 

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