Delivering on GIS: A look at critical skills and issues in the use of GIS on
Jan 20, 2016
Delivering on GIS:A look at critical skills and issues in the use
of GIS on
What is GIS?
When and where can it be applied?
Why is it important?
Most importantly, can I get a job with this?
Also important: What do I need to do to keep a job?
To be covered
Geographic Information Systems is one common term.◦ This is a reference to the people, computer hardware, software
and technologies that advance computer-based cartography, dynamics of an area and information exchange with an underlying geographic component.
Geographic Information Sciences is another possible term◦ This is a reference to the theoretical and applied knowledge
behind the creation of modern, data-driven maps.
The difference? ◦ The Systems GIS is an technology-driven, data-driven pragmatic
framework for solving problems. ◦ The Sciences GIS is a broader, more holistic view that includes
theoretical studies and delves more deeply into the question: “Why do we study the globe?”
So what is GIS in the working world?
Pure Cartography – updating maps as the world’s events change them
Macro-scale Landforms and Environments: Studying the natural and man-made changes to the globe
Network geographies: Understanding how and why goods and people move on roads, bridges, air and rail.
Meso- and Micro-scale Development geographies: Change in geography over time due to man-made actions, including environmental and economic changes
Disaster and Sudden Change Geographies: Violent upheavals in landforms creating instant new geographic reality
When and Where can GIS be applied to the real-world?
The creation of maps that name locations, events, natural phenomena or man-made alterations to terrain
The goal is descriptive, in their words to help people learn what is there
It is very important for Atlases, travel guides and any map where the most important information is understanding what is there
While there are few pure cartographers left, understanding the basics of good mapping remains important.
Pure cartography
Pure Cartography
The study of large-scale landform development
These landforms impact populations, environments, lifestyles and can require large scale efforts
These are often long term developments, such as pollution, economic development, nation-state changes or shifts in political alliance that cause resource shift
However, war and natural disasters can also change large scale change, and quickly
Macro and Meso-scale landform studies
Love Canal
Hurricane Irene
An example of an emergency map
Invasive Species
Network Geography•Studies Efficiency of Motion•Gives us a visual understanding of capacity and flow direction•May add an element of time geography
Network Geography – my world
This focuses on human beings and their reactions to the geospatial realities of their world
It is dependent not just on understanding how the geographies look and what data there are, but people’s reaction to that data and understanding of it
This can focus on social geographies, urban geographies and brownfield redevelopment
Micro and Meso-scale GIS
Several small events (man-made or natural) that cause long-lasting impact and much greater than one individual event
May not be seen until after the major catastrophic event occurs.
May have unforeseen socio-economic issues, such as environmental justice concerns
Cumulative Impacts
Urban Desertification
Disasters Wars Results of long term human impact that
reach a tipping point and create sudden, drastic change
Sudden Change Geographies
Centralia, PA
What it actually is:
A Coal Fire that has been burning since 1962… and will until the year 2500!
Centralia Demolition
NOTE: Some buildings left intact
WHY?
•Political Pressure
•Unsafe to demolish
•Lack of funds
So, can you get a job? YES! The demand for GIS jobs and related fields is
expected to grow by 10,000 over the next 8-10 years.
However, there’s a really important development:◦ Since 2002, many other nations with superior
geography curricula now have GIS educations◦ Your competition may come from India, Russia,
Japan or Finand◦ You must develop skills and keep being on top of
your career
Require critical thinking◦ In ay critical event, especially one with potential large-
scale environmental damage, there is constant change. You have to see through the “white noise” and act on what is most vital
Require a good knowledge base of GIS◦ Learn how to use GIS in an intelligent and actionable
manner
Requires environmental perception or knowledge◦ Either know the area or have the skills to learn it
Some skills to work by
Prioritize! The most important question in an emergency is “When?” not “What?” or “How?”
Next most important question: “Who?”◦ Know your resources, know your departments,
know who to make contact with and who to deliver your information to
Get the right data out quickly. Analytics are not immediately important, but accuracy is
What skills you need
Analytics•Find A Problem•Find An Area to study•Propose a Hypothesis•Study the Data•Confirm the Hypothesis or suggest other research if Hypothesis fails•Check your method of measurement and your error•Be willing to not just have good data, but see that data solve a problem
KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE!!! Maps and Analysis tell a story
◦ It must be relevant◦ It must be timely◦ It must be understandable◦ It must be able to solve a problem
Have good presentation skills◦ Practice your presentation
Be clear and concise in your written communications You don’t need to speak English as a First Language
to succeed, but you must speak accurately and intelligently
So, how do you present your analysis?
Critical skill in today’s market Join your GIS Association, local or state If you have national or international
aspirations, join an organization like AAG Attend local and major national conferences Learn how successful people work with
others and share information, even if they compete
Always be willing to spend time with your colleagues and work together to solve problems
Networking
Find a passion within GIS and learn it Don’t forget basic cartography and skills Be capable of working in a stressful
environment with a calm demeanor See problems and be ahead of the curve Utilize your skills pro-actively Be able to analyze Be able to deliver a good presentation Be able to network
Conclusions:
Rich Quodomine +1 518 542 8799 [email protected] Twitter: RDQ_Geography Co-Author “Practicing Geography” Contributor to Directions Magazine On LinkedIn Can help with Internships
Thank You!