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I go to school at Laurentian University in Ontario, Canada.
I just want honest opinions about whether or not the extra year and hons makes a significant, or even any difference at all in finding work? I would like to end school early as possible. It will save me some loan money and *hopefully* get me out in my own place by my early mid-twenties. I live with my parents because I can not work and study and make enough to be out on my own.
In all likelihood, I will probably seek work in the GIS/demographics spectrum where there are the most relevant jobs to geog majors. Hopefully someone will happen to know enough about these things.
I don't think it makes much of a difference. I didn't get an honors degree but compared to the few classmates I keep up with who did, I don't see that it made a difference in what grad schools they were accepted to or what jobs they got out of college compared to those of us who didn't get an honors degree. What I think makes the biggest difference is GPA. Employers and grad schools I've talked to/interviewed with all say that GPA is a determining factor in who gets admitted or offered a position. Good luck!
You should have watch this yesterday, an awesome gis day panel on geospatial careers: The One Where We Agree, You Got To Do What You Love! - Spatially Adjusted
Fortunately it is all logged and recorded.
Your skill set matters more than your degree, but your degree matters.
I would advise going to grad school if you can. There is so much graduate funding in geography right now, that if you have a decent GPA you -will- get fully funded.
An honors degree can help with grad admissions if you produced an original paper for it. Your recommendations, though, are much more important.
I really like the undergraduate program I'm in. Learning lots about stuff I care about.
Were/are you guys geog majors? I never really thought about going to grad school afterwards, but have looked in to technical institues and colleges that offer specific GIS certificates or diplomas. What are the benefits of going back to a uni?
Univ of Iowa undergrad, Oregon State grad. I also looked at UCSB for grad school.
Benefit is salary. In geography, MS/MA can be a $20k+ boost depending on where you work over BS/BA and a BS/BA will give you a $10k to $20k boost over a cert. There is a huge shortage at the PhD level judging by the sheer volume of ads in the AAG newsletters.
But... make sure you know how to program. Python skills are essential right now.
Talk to your professors about grad programs. There are some -very- good programs in Canada and the United States.
I really like the undergraduate program I'm in. Learning lots about stuff I care about.
Were/are you guys geog majors? I never really thought about going to grad school afterwards, but have looked in to technical institues and colleges that offer specific GIS certificates or diplomas. What are the benefits of going back to a uni?
I was a BS geology (not geography) major and took GIS as a minor (certificate). I did the GIS as a supplement to my science degree (it's good to know what to do with field data) and as an alternate career option.
I am currently working as a GIS Specialist for a cultural resources company. I'm mainly a glorified cartographer, I don't know any programming. I just make maps. I like it a lot!
I have many GIS classmates than went on to decent GIS jobs with just that certif.
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