<p>So currently I am a 4th year student pursuing a degree in Geography - Geographic Information Science with a minor in Sociology where I will take mainly Criminology classes. I would love to be a Crime Analyst and eventually work my way towards being one. I am just wondering if I should switch it around as I know GIS is a tool rather than a skill. I don't want to be a police officer, I just want to be doing Crime Mapping and Analysis as a Crime Analyst really. I feel like having the GIS major though is something good to fall back on as it opens me up to more opportunities whereas the Sociology-Criminology major won't create more openings for the specific job title I would like. I'm currently in California and hope to stay here, but would love to relocate. I'm wondering if there's any Crime Analysts out there or anyone in that field that can help me out and point me in the right direction. I plan to get a job that pays me decent to pay my rent and get me by until I can pay for the Portland State online Crime Analysis Certification and move towards being a Crime Analyst. Anyone have any suggestions?</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Where do you go to school?</p></li>
<li><p>I’d recommend stay the GIS path. A lot of cities have a septerate department for ‘Crime Analysis’, I actually spoke to SF regarding their GIS position. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>Some cities just use GIS employees to do all sorts of studies SD for example has GIS analysts and uses civilian firms as well to do crime, fire, and land use studies for urban planners. GIS is making a name for itself all over the place.</p>
<p>-Your fellow GIS’er</p>