Getting a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Job - Advice, Examples, and Tips

If you want to get a job with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), this video is for you!
In this video, I'll give you my advice on how to get a GIS job and some ideas to think about as you go about trying to find a GIS job. I'll talk about what you should be looking for in terms of actual job titles and what you should study to build your GIS skill-set.
I'll then guide you through some examples from the United States and around the world of actual GIS job descriptions from some commonly used job websites. These websites can be very helpful for seeing what employers are looking for so that you can gauge your own preparation to enter the GIS job workforce.
The video then presents expert interviews with two of my colleagues who are working GIS professionals who will give you practical, solid advice from experiences working in the GIS industry.
Video Chapters:
0:00:00 Beginning
0:00:53 Video Scope and Overview
0:02:11 What’s in a Name? - Defining the Field
0:03:13 Types of GIS Job Titles
0:03:47 What to Study to get a GIS job
0:05:21 Brand New to GIS - Getting Started (Background Concepts)
0:05:43 Study Computing Topics to get a GIS job
0:07:53 Where to Find Specific GIS Jobs
0:09:29 Looking more Broadly for GIS Jobs
0:10:23 Stories from the Field - Practical Advice from Working GIS Professionals
0:10:42 Start of Interview with Brian Baldwin
0:17:42 Key Advice: Look at Job Positions
0:18:47 Key Advice: Find Open Datasets - Create Projects for the Job/Show your skills
0:20:13 Brian’s KZbin Channel
0:20:42 Key Advice: Follow Your Passions to Find Job Opportunities
0:22:23 Key Advice: Show Your Specific Fit to an Organization
0:23:13 Start of Interview with Catherine DuBreck
0:28:01 Key Comment: Learning Curves with Older Software Still in Use
0:28:30 Discussion of using Open Source GIS Tools (QGIS) for Volunteer Work
0:30:45 Discussion of Pursuing a GIS Career
0:35:00 Key Comment: “You know GIS, so now you are an IT expert”
0:35:35 Key Advice: Learn a Computer Programming Language
0:37:09 Key Advice: Attend In-Person GIS Conferences/Networking
0:37:30 Key Advice: Volunteer
0:38:04 Key Comment: “Getting Involved and Giving Back is Huge”
0:39:28 Reach out to Catherine on LinkedIn
0:40:17 Final Thoughts and Advice - Key Take Away Points
Additional Resources:
GIS Job Websites Cited in the Video:
The GIS Jobs Clearinghouse: www.gjc.org
LinkedIn GIS Job Search: www.linkedin.com/jobs/search/...
Indeed.com GIS Job Search: www.indeed.com/jobs?q=GIS
ReliefWeb GIS jobs: reliefweb.int/jobs?advanced-s...
(remember - jobs may involve GIS but not have ‘GIS’ in their titles)
GIS Volunteer Opportunities:
GIS Corps - www.giscorps.org/
Missing Maps Project: www.missingmaps.org/
People from the Video:
Brian Baldwin: / baldwinbrian
Brian Baldwin’s KZbin Channel ‘BrianSpatial’ - / @brianspatial
Catherine DuBreck: / catherine-dubreck-gisp...
If you liked this and other videos on the geographic information science channel, please like these videos, leave comments, or subscribe to this channel so you can stay informed of new videos.
Subscribe to this channel:
kzbin.info...
Also, feel free to contact me if you have any questions, I love hearing from the KZbin community.
Thanks for stopping by!
Brian Tomaszewski, Ph.D.
@bangeobrian
gisfordisastermanagement.com/
/ brian-tomaszewski-452b...

[@maximilianodelcampoarriaga4224]

Hi Brian, as a newly graduated forest engineer I just landed my first job in GIS and I find it extremely fascinating. As you said in your video, it's a multi-disciplinary field where there is so much space to grow and learn. I really appreciate the valuable informaton you shared with us! Greetings from Chile!

[@GIScienceRIT]

Hello! Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with our community, and congratulations on Landing your first GIS job! Thank you again for your comment and best wishes

[@alanahicks6182]

What a well organized, insightful video! Thanks Brian. You slay, King.

[@GIScienceRIT]

Thank you so much for the nice feedback, good luck finding a GIS job! Be sure to subscribe to the channel and hit the notification icon to stay up to date on new videos, thank you again.

[@cynthiawilliams8432]

Thanks Brian, appreciate the instruction, and suggestions.

[@GIScienceRIT]

My pleasure, good luck with finding a GIS job.

[@tomsdailystudy]

Great video! Good speaker, direct points laid out clear & simple.

[@GIScienceRIT]

Glad it was helpful!

[@paullin178]

Wow!! This is the kind of video I wanted!

[@GIScienceRIT]

Thank you very much I'm glad you found the video useful, good luck with your job searching and be sure to hit the notification icon And subscribe to the channel to stay up to date on new videos!

[@sockwith2holes]

Excellent piece of work this video was. Thank you sir.

[@GIScienceRIT]

Thank you I'm glad that you enjoyed the video be sure to subscribe the channel and hit the notification icon to stay up to date on new videos, Happy learning!

[@Our__Earth]

Thanks Brian! Good to see my colleague Brian Baldwin on here. Keep up the good work!

[@GIScienceRIT]

Thank you! Brian was actually a student of mine a very long time ago and I've been so proud and impressed with what he's been able to accomplish

[@peiyaoli6793]

Thank you Brian, your video is really valuable!

[@GIScienceRIT]

Glad it was helpful!

[@daviddibiase2444]

Good advice! Thanks Brian.

[@GIScienceRIT]

Thanks David! Great to hear from you hope all is well

[@Gene_Denim]

Thanks for this information!

[@GIScienceRIT]

Thank you I'm glad you found it useful! Be sure to hit the like button and subscribe to the channel to stay up to date on new videos thank you again and good luck with your GIS career pursuit!

[@michaelkitay-moore3803]

Really helpful! Thanks for the info!

[@GIScienceRIT]

My pleasure! If you do in fact get a GIS job come back and leave a comment! Good luck with your job searching

[@michaelkitay-moore3803]

@@GIScienceRIT Will do! I am finishing up my bachelors in Geology at Portland State University at the moment and plan on pursuing a Master's in GIS at PSU next school year. So it may be a bit but I'll come back and comment :)

[@orangeSoda35]

Thanks. This video helped me.

[@GIScienceRIT]

Great to hear! Be sure to subscribe to the channel and hit the notification icon to stay up to date on new videos, good luck with your job searching!

[@ganapathygp8083]

Excellent Brian

[@GIScienceRIT]

Thank you 🙏

[@TheAmazingmayowa]

Thank you

[@xpathservice2179]

Some video mentioned in the video such at 5:38 and 7:40 are not linked in the video description?

[@muhammadhuzaifa9443]

Hi Brian. This is Huzaifa from Pakistan. Thanks for the video. If possible kindly make a video with some environmental experts. Thanks

[@GIScienceRIT]

Thanks for the feedback will keep this in mind! Thanks for your support of the channel

[@muhammadhuzaifa9443]

I'll be looking forward......!

[@carltonwykle645]

Hi Brian, I am a recent MS Economics grad. My degree was very technical and focused very heavily on R programming and SQL. One course introduced me to regional economics and spatial thinking and I was instanlty smitten. I have no experience in GIS, but know that this is a field I’d like to break into. Is my current degree enough to get me in the door? Should I try and pursue additional certification through a university or use resources online to teach myself the skills that I need as an extension of my Econ degree? What would you recommend? Thank you for this incredibly insightful video and the time spent in its creation.

[@GIScienceRIT]

Hello, thank you for your comment I'm glad that you enjoyed the video. with the kind of background you describe you may actually take a look at Spatial data science applications with R r-spatial.org/book/ About in the video, here are some possible jobs that you might look into with a background and economics and knowledge of spatial data science applications with R www.indeed.com/q-applied-spatial-data-analysis-with-r-jobs.html?vjk=3b8bbf02555a7bf3 It would be hard to say what additionally you might need to learn if you want to build off of what you already know. I hope this helps and thank you again for your comments and support of the channel.

[@carltonwykle645]

@@GIScienceRIT Thank you Brian! You’re the best man. I will continue to support and watch your content!

[@azarjamal8416]

Hi sir, I'm azar from india, I'm completed Degree in geography with diploma in GIS, if I'm complete in Data science it could be an advantage?

[@GIScienceRIT]

Yes absolutely data science could be a significant advantage, if anything do a Google search on the term spatial data science thanks for your comment and please subscribe to the channel and hit the notification icon for keeping update on new videos.

[@donmathew1769]

Hai Brian..I am from India I did Masters in Environmental Science and did a Gis diploma and actively working in the field of gis for last 8 years. But because of the lack of programming skills here I am not getting a good payment and oppertunity..what should I do

[@GIScienceRIT]

Thank you so much for your comment, as I talk about in the video you do need to be interdisciplinary and perhaps go outside of your own Comfort zone, recommend you look at other videos on this channel that talk about learning Python and other Computing topics and of course lots of other things you can learn about on KZbin and elsewhere thank you again

[@mhdimthiyaz218]

where are u working bro ?

[@mhdimthiyaz218]

Hello Sir.

[@somanshsaini6389]

Hi there, currently I am a masters student and looking for an internship in the field of GIS. Just read your comment that you have been working in it since 8 years. Can you please share some details about your company and can help me get an internship in this field?? I will be grateful to you.