[OKGIS] GISP

[Thomas Tollett]

Good Morning All, 
	I would have to concur with Robert, the attainment and
maintenance of a GISP certification would lend itself to the development
of a well-rounded geospatial professional.  Nothing this side of a
formal certification test, something along the lines of the Professional
Engineer's or Registered Professional Land Surveyor's would provide a
clear cut test of merit. But as we all know, these do not currently
exist, and the creation of such a process will be as tedious as it would
be controversial.  The GISP Certification, at it's most basic level, at
least allows our community to develop a baseline evaluation of a
prospective employee.  From the mixture of education, experience, &
involvement (which is a core tenant to many other professional
organizations) involved in earning the GISP certification, we gain a
benchmark to weight a person's competency and skill against (outside of
the Grandfathering clause).  Is it going to solve all of the GIS
community's ills, with the perceived lack of validity, credence, and
importance from those outside of our profession?  Probably not, but I
personally feel that it is a step in the right direction.  Anything that
a person can do to better themselves or promote their profession should
be considered a benefit by their colleagues and employers and promoted.
And on the flip side, what can gaining the certification hurt?  The GISP
is gaining more respect on a national level, employers are beginning to
ask for it in their job announcement qualifications.  If you have the
ability to obtain and maintain the certification, wouldn't you rather be
in the situation of having something you don't need, than needing
something you don't have.

Just my Two Cents...Thanks for listening!


Have a Great Day!

Thomas E. Tollett, CFM
Sr. Geographic Information Systems Analyst
Corporate-Level Mapping
Chesapeake Energy Corp.
Building 6, Office 356
Ph: (405)810-2681
Cel: (405)290-8076
Fax: (405)879-8307
TTollett at chkenergy.com

-----Original Message-----
From: okgis-bounces at gis.gis.ou.edu [mailto:okgis-bounces at gis.gis.ou.edu]
On Behalf Of Robert Stokes
Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2008 9:21 AM
To: Oklahoma GIS Community
Subject: RE: [OKGIS] GISP

David,

It is not necessarily a certainty, but earning this certification would
elevate an individual above the typical from my perspective. As far as
particular aspects go...all of them. The value in the certification to
me is the "cross-training" that is required. You cannot attain the GISP
simply from one competency, ignoring the others (grandfathers not
included!) In my opinion, a good combination of education, experience,
and contributions makes for a well-rounded, knowledgeable candidate. 

As far as the blog goes, don't fret...words like medieval and illusions
of gatekeepers will catch the eye. As far as I am concerned the
arguments are full of more holes than a rural-route stop sign. I only
give credence to the ones about industry progression and distributing
geospatial techniques to non-geospatial types. We have seen both of
these before and will continue to see them in the future. I think
attaining and maintaining a GISP certification not only qualifies one's
current skill sets, but also prepares and often enables one to extend
them.

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

Topographic, Inc.
6709 N. Classen Blvd. Oklahoma City, OK 73116
Office: 405-843-4847
Cell: 405-570-9240
Fax: 405-843-0975
www.topographic.com

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 dlowther at coordinatesolutions.com
Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2008 8:14 AM
To: 'Oklahoma GIS Community'
Subject: RE: [OKGIS] GISP

Robert,

Will Topographic be giving preference to GISP?  

What about any other GIS hiring types out there?

If so, what particular aspect of the GISP certification makes an
applicant
more valuable?
(http://www.gisci.org/certification_program_description.aspx)
Or, is it simply that it reduces the effort in reviewing an applicant's
experience?

I don't have a personal preference, but this blog did hit home for me...

http://zcologia.com/news/548/gis-certification/

David Lowther

Coordinate Solutions, Inc.
904.471.5528 (Voice)
405.210.1721 (Mobile)
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 Robert Stokes
Sent: Wednesday, January 02, 2008 4:33 PM
To: Oklahoma GIS Community
Subject: [OKGIS] GISP

City of Midland is giving preference to GISP certified applicants...
https://cityofmidland.ats.hrsmart.com/cgi-bin/a/highlightjob.cgi?jobid=3
58

Just wanted to pass this along...this issue has been discussed back and
forth among some of you at conferences and GIS meetings...this seems to
me to be more and more prevalent...is it a blossoming trend that we must
prepare for in order to be competitive in the workforce?

I would encourage you to look onto it and see if it is right for you...
www.gisci.org




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

Topographic, Inc.
6709 N. Classen Blvd. Oklahoma City, OK 73116
Office: 405-843-4847
Cell: 405-570-9240
Fax: 405-843-0975
www.topographic.com

OK GITA Chapter President
OK SCAUG Steering Committee

--------------------------------------------------------

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