Escaping the desktop GIS trap forever

[@connoredick1610]

I'd like to see a similar video titled "Escaping the ESRI Trap Forever." The ESRI software suite is powerful and useful, I couldn't do my job without it (I work for state government in the US doing wildfire protection ). But I'd like to learn how I can use open source tools to do everything I do with ESRI. Web GIS, online applications, and coordination with lots of other creators and users all seem like significant hurdles

[@mariahdez1942]

Agree!!!

[@MattForrest]

It’s on my list now!

[@mohimaninfo]

Thanks for your tutorials, help and support. ❤

[@MattForrest]

Happy to help!

[@GingerBreadMan144]

Glad I'm not working in this field anymore. Though even when I was pursuing work in this field I wasn't working. Impossible to find work, especially permanent work that isn't a contract. I feel very disheartened and let down by the industry and its community. The competition was insane and the possession of different skills is never enough. The demand and expectations for knowledge and different skills is too high. It's not enough to know x amount of coding languages or x amount of esri products. Such a frustrating career pursuit. Huge letdown. Pursuing a GIS position almost cost me everything including my home, car, dog, life, and sanity. Most of the world where GIS is needed doesn't even know they need it or what it is. Yeah it's a beneficial tool but most aren't even aware of its existence. Screw you GIS.

[@MattForrest]

Sorry to hear that! One thing that frustrated me was the constant skills collection. That’s why I try and focus it and pick skills that can be practical both inside and outside GIS and hopefully let others advance their careers.

[@GingerBreadMan144]

@@MattForrest it's really all that can be done, though even then that starts to narrow down ones options when looking for work. If one didn't focus on learning any programming languages and the job asks for someone with programming skills, it's not even worth the time to apply. They will absolutely find someone who has those skills out of the hundreds of other applicants competing for the position. Recently I applied for a position where I pulled out all stops to get noticed. I took advice from someone in the organization regard how to structure my application, connected with those on the hiring committee, spent a week going through esri training courses specific to the needs of the posting, did tons of research about the organization and showed it in my application. Months later got a rejection email. Asked for feedback and was told there was nothing wrong with my application. There were just simply too many applicants to sort through. Put in all that effort, energy, and hard work for someone to take three seconds to look at my application and pass it over because there were too many others. I'm not in this field anymore and I'm so glad I'm not. So glad.

[@DanielMatranga]

The biggest challenge I see with moving to more of a web GIS is layout options for maps that will go into presentations. Any advice on this aspect of producing maps using a web GIS?

[@MattForrest]

I’ve always been a screen shot fan which isn’t the best answer. But more tools have exporting features. We just launched one at CARTO for PDF outputs in report format and Felt has similar options.

[@optus7113]

Is GIS job so tought, stressful and frustrating?

[@ajaypatro1554]

cs50 mentioned lets go!!!!!!!!

[@MattForrest]

It’s a good one!

[@rani6909]

Hi, i have an experience related to arcgis .. is there any remote job opportunities.. ?

[@MattForrest]

Yes check out www.spatialnode.net/