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Old 05-21-2009, 01:10 PM
 
Location: South MS
3 posts, read 9,754 times
Reputation: 10

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I'm moving to Austin sometime over the summer with my girlfriend who will be entering a PhD program at UT in the Fall. I’m currently looking for entry level GIS jobs and so far I’ve had minimal luck to say the least. Over the past couple of months, I’ve applied to numerous positions that I am qualified for, but nothing has really come of it yet. As the fall is quickly approaching we are getting more and more nervous about job prospects in the area.

I graduated a year ago with a BS in Geography and for the past year I have worked as a Geospatial Analyst primarily on DOD contracts. I primarily work in stereographic feature extraction with a lot of quality control thrown in there for good measure. I do enjoy parts of my current job more that others and would even be open to entering another field. I have somewhat of a background in environmental issues and conservation as well. I have had a great experience at my current employer. I honestly wish I could take them with me. Anyway, I know that overall the job market is kind of soft right now but I just want to know what the local job market is like from someone preferably in the field. If anyone has any additional tips, ideas, or even some potential connections it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
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Old 05-21-2009, 02:09 PM
 
804 posts, read 1,957,110 times
Reputation: 459
Quote:
Originally Posted by GIScott View Post
I'm moving to Austin sometime over the summer with my girlfriend who will be entering a PhD program at UT in the Fall. I’m currently looking for entry level GIS jobs and so far I’ve had minimal luck to say the least. Over the past couple of months, I’ve applied to numerous positions that I am qualified for, but nothing has really come of it yet. As the fall is quickly approaching we are getting more and more nervous about job prospects in the area.

I graduated a year ago with a BS in Geography and for the past year I have worked as a Geospatial Analyst primarily on DOD contracts. I primarily work in stereographic feature extraction with a lot of quality control thrown in there for good measure. I do enjoy parts of my current job more that others and would even be open to entering another field. I have somewhat of a background in environmental issues and conservation as well. I have had a great experience at my current employer. I honestly wish I could take them with me. Anyway, I know that overall the job market is kind of soft right now but I just want to know what the local job market is like from someone preferably in the field. If anyone has any additional tips, ideas, or even some potential connections it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
I've seen GIS jobs advertised frequently in Houston, occasionally in Austin.
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Old 05-21-2009, 02:13 PM
 
107 posts, read 209,395 times
Reputation: 59
Have you tried consulting firms like HDR, HNTB, and URS?
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Old 05-21-2009, 03:01 PM
 
Location: South MS
3 posts, read 9,754 times
Reputation: 10
BlueBear1 -- I have looked into HNTB and URS as well as a number of other companies. I have a list of about 15 companies that I check on a daily basis, ha! I haven't looked into HDR though, I'll check it out.

And you're right, nomore07, there does seem to be a lot more opportunities in Houston as well as Dallas. We're hoping we don't have to go that route, we've been doing long distance for the past 4 years so we're ready to finally move somewhere together...not to mention, it'll be a lot easier for my girlfriend to afford living in Austin if we can share expenses.
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Old 05-21-2009, 10:16 PM
 
Location: Holly Neighborhood, Austin, Texas
3,982 posts, read 6,692,397 times
Reputation: 2882
Try the local city gov'ts like Austin, RR, GT, Cedar Park, S. Marcos, etc. Gov't agencies like LCRA, TxDOT, CAPCOG, Tx Econ. Development, TCEQ, TNRIS, TPWD and TWDB.
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Old 05-22-2009, 02:26 AM
 
Location: South MS
3 posts, read 9,754 times
Reputation: 10
verybadgnome, I'll have to spend a few minutes decoding some of those acronyms but thanks a lot for the ideas. I haven't heard of a couple of those agencies, but I'll look into them.
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Old 05-25-2009, 06:09 PM
 
Location: Southern California
3,455 posts, read 8,307,261 times
Reputation: 1419
lots of DOD work in Austin and SA....not a lot of it is advertised. Lots of contractor work....better bet if you are willing to commute to SA. I'm a GIS professional too, I am a DOD contractor.
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Old 05-25-2009, 06:10 PM
 
Location: Southern California
3,455 posts, read 8,307,261 times
Reputation: 1419
actually meant to say north of Austin....there is an Army base.
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Old 05-26-2009, 10:16 PM
 
Location: Holly Neighborhood, Austin, Texas
3,982 posts, read 6,692,397 times
Reputation: 2882
Quote:
Originally Posted by GIScott View Post
verybadgnome, I'll have to spend a few minutes decoding some of those acronyms but thanks a lot for the ideas. I haven't heard of a couple of those agencies, but I'll look into them.
Yeah these acronyms are not at all like the ones in the state I grew up in. Also add GLO (Gov't Land Office) and TxDIR (Dept. information resources).
There is also a Tx State Data Center (State Demographer) but I've never seen a place for postings on their site.
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Old 05-26-2009, 11:27 PM
 
103 posts, read 320,522 times
Reputation: 42
My son graduated with the same degree as you last May. He just got a job after nearly a year of searching. He had several promising interviews, but nothing came of them. The only jobs he was offered were in San Antonio making $10/hour. Most of the people he has talked to have told them they have openings, but have a hiring freeze at the moment. Thankfully he starts his new job in June. The jobs are posted here, but they are difficult to get, but since you have some experience you may have an easier time. Just keep trying and maybe something will turn up soon.
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