<p>My school offers a certificate in GIS, which I was going for, because it's the only civilian thing similar to what I did in the army. But due to financial concerns, I decided just to go for my BS in resource conservation. The problem is, I can't do physical, outdoor work... I have a genetic neurological disorder that is supposed to get worse as I age... so right now, I just need the handrail for stairs... I can't run or jump, or ski, or balance on one leg for more than 3 seconds... but my upper body does not see to be affected (yet?)</p>
<p>So it seems GIS should be my direction, right?</p>
<p>if so, is a good GIS internship just as good, or better than a broad certificate (for getting employment).</p>
<p>My army buddy got a good job in Denver... it seems there are lots of conservation jobs there. I have my eyes on the Seattle/ Vancouver area, though. input?</p>
<p>And he didn’t even go to college. My understanding though, is that private companies desire experience over schooling, while the government is th opposite. Is this true? My professors said it is for hydrology.</p>
<p>you are aware that there is a DOD agency that does tons of work in GIS, right? <a href=“http://www.nga.mil%5B/url%5D”>www.nga.mil</a></p>
<p>also USGS</p>
<p>Yes, I know all about the NGA… although, I’m not sure if I can get my clearance back. I’ve also considered USGS, but I can’t find out how to (directly) apply for an internship there.</p>
<p>I’m not sure if which one would be better, but why not get the certificate as well as an internship? It can’t hurt to do both, right? Where do you live now? I know that ESRI is the place to go for internships, but I don’t know if that’d work out in your situation. I would assume it depends on who you want to work for. Check with local cities too. They’ll probably have something.</p>
<p>Definitely ask your professors. I’m sure they’d be able to help more.</p>
<p>Well, my post 9-11 bill ends in January. However, when it does end, I can get tuition waivers for being a veteran. The VA guy said tuition is 99% of what i pay the school. I’m not sure though… it seems 90% is fees. I’ll still have FA at that time. </p>
<p>I was looking at interning with ESRI. But can I get into GIS without the certificate?</p>
<p>I would think you can get into GIS w/o a certificate. To me it seems more like a formality than anything. I found this blog that might help:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.careersingis.com/?p=12[/url]”>http://www.careersingis.com/?p=12</a></p>
<p>However, some internships require that you are a student in that major or a related field, so it might be best to get the certificate and intern. I’m sure your experience in the army will help you land a better job than most w/ just internships under their belt.</p>
<p>Hope that helped. I’m a geography major and will my first GIS class this fall, so I don’t know too much about it yet. But I am looking at internships too.</p>
<p>Also, I have a question about GIS (for those who don’t know, ESRI’s ArcGIS software dominates the industry, although [my professor said], the census and military use different platforms.) I want to not focus on knowing how to use a particular software… what happens when ArcGIS gets replaced with something better?</p>
<p>The state university GIS program seems pedantic and repetitive and long-winded, focusing on the software… where can I go to learn the key concepts behind all that? An internship?</p>
<p>To answer your first question, if ArcGIS gets replaced w/ something better: in my opinion, I don’t think it would be way different. It’s like if iTunes got replaced. All other music players essentially do the same thing. It probably wouldn’t take you long to learn everything.</p>
<p>And for learning key concepts, I would assume you can learn that through an internship, but wouldn’t an internship be most useful to build on those key concepts, not learn them? Thus, the GIS program to learn the key concepts.</p>
<p>I know this is an old trend but ArcGIS would only be replaced if ERDAS made a new program.</p>
<p>Also found it funny that if LeoLibby was a Geospatial Engineer in the Army someone asked if he heard of NGA… when Geospatial Marines and Soldiers are trained at NGA’s east campus lols.</p>