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I'm interviewing for a management position that focuses on strategic planning. One aspect would be setting up a GIS system for the organization. I am familiar with how GIS is used, layers, etc., but I do not have a lot of experience using the software myself. Would it be realistic to teach myself how to use the ESRI products? I have seen that there are online learning modules available through ESRI's site. Or is this something that I need to learn through the ESRI courses?
P.S. Mods, if there is a better forum for this thread, please feel free to move it. This seemed like it might be the place with the most GIS users.
in a management position with no GIS background, it sounds like you would hire someone who would have intimate knowledge with, yes, ESRI products, Windows Server and heavy database skills for managing huge datasets.
If you need to teach yourself ESRI ArcGIS it needn't be expensive or difficult. They've finally come out with ArcGIS For Home™ . Many states have datasets available for use, especially the larger cities. Off hand I know Washington, Cali and Louisiana offer up alot of data in ArcGIS ready format.
The help files are ok but i'd use a book of some sort. ESRI Press has some good starter books one could use.
My job wouldn't be on the technical side of things, i.e. making maps,layers and/or datasets all day. I would need to know enough to tell the contractors what to do. Also, the GIS would only be one part of the job - the rest of it would be tracking demographics, planning for future needs, public relations, etc. I don't need to become an expert in GIS, but I would like to be at least somewhat functional so that I can communicate more effectively with the actual GIS technicians.
Anyway, good to know that there are affordable ways to teach myself.
My job wouldn't be on the technical side of things, i.e. making maps,layers and/or datasets all day. I would need to know enough to tell the contractors what to do. Also, the GIS would only be one part of the job - the rest of it would be tracking demographics, planning for future needs, public relations, etc. I don't need to become an expert in GIS, but I would like to be at least somewhat functional so that I can communicate more effectively with the actual GIS technicians.
Anyway, good to know that there are affordable ways to teach myself.
Sure, you can always try.
Worse comes to worse, you can't handle the job and they fire you.
There are several books that teach ArcGIS and the latest versions. The old versions get outdated quick so you can get tutorial books for like $1 online.
I'm interviewing for a management position that focuses on strategic planning. One aspect would be setting up a GIS system for the organization. I am familiar with how GIS is used, layers, etc., but I do not have a lot of experience using the software myself. Would it be realistic to teach myself how to use the ESRI products? I have seen that there are online learning modules available through ESRI's site. Or is this something that I need to learn through the ESRI courses?
P.S. Mods, if there is a better forum for this thread, please feel free to move it. This seemed like it might be the place with the most GIS users.
I've taken GIS courses. Depending on how determined you are, it is possible to teach yourself GIS. However, it won't be easy. It would be better to find someone who knows GIS or to enroll in some courses.
That is that is the primary software tool for those who indeed want to learn it at their own pace?
Yes, for those who want to learn ArcGIS it is the only tool for learning at one's own pace.
For GIS/Scientific Inquiry in general, one does not need to use ESRI tools depending on what they are trying to accomplish. GRASS GIS, Manifold etc etc they are definately not as ubiquitis or....well in my opinion, use friendly or powerful as ArcGIS, but in commercial scenarios they are infinitely cheaper than the closest ESRI solution.
Last edited by Xeon1210; 03-13-2013 at 12:27 AM..
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