Certificate in GIS (doctor, degree, school, best)

[heeha]

Would it be a waste of time for me to get a certificate in GIS? I heard that that GIS is a rapidly growing field, but would a cert. in GIS be enough to work in a GIS related position? Or would I need to get a BS or MS in GIS?

[K-Luv]

GIS is becoming more and more implemented into daily life, but I wouldn't waste my time on a BS, BA, or even MS in the subject since you only really need one or two courses in GIS to really get the hang of it. Most people confuse GIS with cartography (map making), which it isn't (although you will create many maps with it). GIS is as its name sounds -a Graphical Information System. At its core, it is about managing pathways of information and how to properly display them in a manner that makes sense to the viewer.

Four years of formal education is not required and most four year GIS programs are filled with courses in web design, topics in information technology (yawn), management of information technology (this is what a basic GIS course will teach you anyways), basic programming, a basic cartography course (once again, something that you should learn in an intro to GIS course), computer ethics, plus a few others on top of all of the basic core curriculum courses.

Go for the certificate and if you want a more formal education just major in something else. GIS can be applied to any field or scenario that you can think off.

[heeha]

Is it easy to get a job with a GIS certificate?

[Rakin]

Doesn't GIS also stand for Geographic Information Sysytems which deal with people, movement, & structures. My son has a MS in GIS and currently works for one of the big insurance companies.

As far as a certificate... most cities have GIS departments now. You might ask your city what they require to get hired.

From Wiki on GIS

A geographic information system (GIS), or geographical information system captures, stores, analyzes, manages, and presents data that is linked to location. Technically, GIS is geographic information systems which includes mapping software and its application with remote sensing, land surveying, aerial photography, mathematics, photogrammetry, geography, and tools that can be implemented with GIS software. Still, many refer to "geographic information system" as GIS even though it doesn't cover all tools connected to topology.

[amsherwo]

Originally Posted by heeha

Would it be a waste of time for me to get a certificate in GIS? I heard that that GIS is a rapidly growing field, but would a cert. in GIS be enough to work in a GIS related position? Or would I need to get a BS or MS in GIS?

I wouldn't waste time getting a BS or MS in GIS, b/c you really do only need a course or two to become very well versed in the software. The company I work for employs several GIS folks and to the best of my knowledge, at least a couple of them do not have a BS or MS in it (although also of note, I don't think you can get a degree in GIS, you'd get a degree in Geography or Geology with a focus in GIS...at least that's my understanding). All kinds of fields employ those with GIS backgrounds, it's really a great field to get into.

[rubber_factory]

Cert is better than nothing - and I'd say it is all you "need" to get started in GIS, as a bare minimum.

but I disagree with the people who claim that university curriculums are a waste of time.

With my B.S. degree, as well as having 2 or 3 progressively difficult GIS courses, I also had classes on aerial photo analysis, satellite mapping & global positioning, telecom, geostatistics, information systems development, GIS programming, and cartography.. these may not be something you need, but you will not get them in a GIS Cert class. Also, you pick up a tremendous amount of knowledge from spending 4 years in a GIS department, with experienced faculty.

Not to mention, a 4-year degree in GIS will set you apart from other candidates, which is especially useful with a competitive labor market like we have now.

[Croye22]

What can you do with a GIS degree? I'm considering changing my major(ok, ive said this countless times :P ) to something I can get a hands on approach with like Geology or Geography.

[city_data91]

Originally Posted by Croye22

What can you do with a GIS degree? I'm considering changing my major(ok, ive said this countless times :P ) to something I can get a hands on approach with like Geology or Geography.

I am a Geography major and I would recommend changing to Geography. GIS is more Geography than Geology.

[city_data91]

Originally Posted by heeha

Would it be a waste of time for me to get a certificate in GIS? I heard that that GIS is a rapidly growing field, but would a cert. in GIS be enough to work in a GIS related position? Or would I need to get a BS or MS in GIS?

Just like with any job, I'd say a BS looks better than just a certificate. It's true that a 4 year program won't be just learning GIS. Your best bet would be to major in Geography. I am a Geography major and the Geography program at my college includes GIS along with other aspects of Geography. Don't get a Master's degree. I think graduate school is a waste of time unless you want to do a job that requires it (lawyer, doctor, etc).

[Croye22]

Is Geography a good major to take up? I mean, I always say that a degree is as worthless as YOU make it, not what others say, but I'm just trying to make sure I don't get something that won't benefit me later on.

But I'm highly considering it after other things.