Esri Technical Certification and Prep Courses
The Esri Technical Certification is beginning to really take off. Several areas have finished development and are now available. If you are not familiar with the certification, it is similar to the Microsoft Certifications.
You can find a great overview of the certification and its benefits by watching this training seminar. You can also check out each area below:
Desktop
ArcGIS Desktop
Associate
Professional
Developer
ArcGIS Desktop Developer
Associate
ProfessionalWeb Application Developer
Associate
ProfessionalMobile Developer
Associate
Professional
Enterprise
Enterprise Administration
Associate
Enterprise Geodatabase Management
Associate
Professional
Enterprise System Design
Associate
Professional
If you are a bit leery about taking the exam, Esri provides a refresher course to prepare for the exam. These courses do not teach specifically to the exam, but they cover keys areas. The courses are instructor-led for in-person or on-line.
Esri Certification Exam Prep Courses
Also find a great inside scoop from the writer of the prep course in Training Spotlight: ArcGIS Desktop Professional Certification.
GeoMentor Program to Help Improve Geographic Literacy
The GeoMentor Program is being sponsored by ESRI and the National Geographic Society. It is a way to get GIS professionals involved in education. A recent ArcNews article (Get Involved with Geo-Education Reform) by Daniel C. Edelson, Vice President for Education, National Geographic Society helped set the stage for the program. He stated that there is a lack of geographic literacy. An estimate of 18 year olds in the United States shows that approximately 50% are unready in the area of geography with about 25% geographically competent and 25% geographically proficient. The National Geograhic Society has made it a goal to achieving a 50 percent rate of geographic fluency among 18-year-olds by 2025. Several actions were presented to making this possible, and one of the action items was the GeoMentor Program.
The ESRI Education Community has laid out a great site for learning more about this program. ESRI is also introducing the GeoMentor program at the 2009 ESRI International User Conference. There are several sessions being presented as well as an easy sign up method for those attending the confernece. I am sure there will be more information to come, but I would suggest becoming apart of this great opprtunity today and help increase the geographic literacy among our youth today!
You can be as involved as much as you desire with for basic stages:
- “Learning” (Stage 1) means you agree to receive periodic emails about the GeoMentor program. You will be publicly visible simply as a dot on the map.
- “Seeking” (Stage 2) means that you are interested in a partnership and agree to make some characteristics visible to people who are logged in at the “Seeking” level or higher, though they cannot directly identify you, nor directly contact you without your approval.
- “Working” (Stage 3) means that you are participating in one or more GeoMentor partnerships.
- “Reporting” (Stage 4) means that you have entered information about your activities in order to share that with others.
Find participants who are apart of the program through a GeoMentor Program interactive map.
Search for all the talk about the GeoMentor Program on Twitter.
10 Tips for Those Not Attending the ESRI User Conference
The keys to having a successful career rely heavily around networking and staying up on technology. In the GIS industry there is no better opportunity to accomplish this than at the ESRI International User Conference. GIS professionals from all across the world come to San Diego, CA for the ultimate GIS conference experience. You can have the opportunity to meet people from every industry imaginable that use GIS. Hear them present their work and see their map presentations. Learn from the best of the best. In addition to this fabulous exposure, hear from ESRI on the latest and greatest in GIS technology. Learn how to better apply this technology and what to expect for the future.
Because of the economy, the pure lack of funding, and several other reasons; many GIS users are unable to attend this conference. Although you may not be able to attend, you can still benefit in many ways. Here are ten excellent things you can do without leaving your office.
1. Watch the plenary session online.
2. Follow the Twitter action
- Search for the #ESRIUC tag
- Follow those on this Twitter List from GISUser.com
3. Browse Flickr for User Conference pictures
4. Listen to the VerySpatial live podcast from the User Conference and follow up podcasts from throughout the week.
5. Follow the ESRI Insider Blog
6. Follow all of the geospatial/gis blogs at the GIS Forum Community Mashup
7. Read through the official ESRI International User Conference Agenda Digital Magazine (PDF)
- Find Special Interest Groups
- Follow up with presenters for topics of interest
- Find out what you are really missing
8. Watch videos on youtube – esritv
9. Visit the ESRI Resource Centers
10. Mark your calendar for next year’s conference
- July 12-16, 2010
- Insert into budget and begin fund raising efforts
Careers at ESRI and in the Geospatial Industry
An excellent podcast interview from VerySpatial with Jason Otero of ESRI was just put out this week. The topic covered the details of getting a job at ESRI and also other geospatial companies. Jason mentioned that even in the state of this economy, they are still hiring.
The main ESRI locations that are hiring are Redlands, CA; Washington, DC; Charlotte, NC and St. Louis, Mo. The Redlands office has the greatest opportunity for jobs, but the others are quickly expanding. In all ESRI has a main office with 10 regional offices.
Hot Jobs at ESRI include:
- Software Products
- Professional Services
- Technical Support
ESRI has put together an excellent careers website where you can create a profile. Under this profile you can fill out an application, submit a cover letter and resume, and apply for jobs. There is also a dedicated site for college graduates to learn more about moving from “a college campus to an ESRI campus”. You can find more information on the ESRI Grad web page.
Maybe you are not looking for a job at ESRI, or maybe you are not near one of their locations; Jason suggested looking up an ESRI Business Partner where many opportunities reside. You can find a business partner here.
Catch the entire interview from VerySpatial – http://veryspatial.com/2009/05/a-veryspatial-podcast-episode-199/
Adding Microsoft Virtual Earth to ArcGIS 9.3.1
With the new ArcGIS 9.3.1 update, I searched high and low to find out how to access Microsoft Virtual Earth in ArcGIS as this was a big component to the new update. It has not been as easy as I expected. I thought that it would be a simple click to add the data to my map. I found however, that it takes a few more extra steps to gain access. Here is some information directly from ESRI’s Resource Center:
With ArcGIS 9.3.1, Microsoft Virtual Earth maps are seamlessly integrated into ArcGIS products. ArcGIS users who are current on maintenance and have an Internet connection will have access to Virtual Earth for a variety of up-to-date mapping content.
See the appropriate section below and follow the instructions to get started using Microsoft Virtual Earth in your ArcGIS 9.3.1 application:
I followed the ArcGIS Desktop process to gain access to Microsoft Virtual Earth. This may vary from what you encounter, but it will give you a general idea for access.
Go to this website to request a new license file:
https://service.esri.com/index.cfm?fa=requestForms.requestLFileShowForm
1. Request a New License File
2. Select: Add newly purchased licenses to a new or existing license server
3. Enter Software Version
4. Enter Customer Information
5. Enter License Server Information
6. Enter number of licenses for Virtual Earth (bottom)
7. Submit Request
8. Agree to the additional terms
9. Submit Request
A new license file will be sent to you by email. (Mine came within 30 minutes although the site says it could take one business day.) Then update your license file.
On the Using premium Microsoft Virtual Earth Maps with ArcGIS 9.3.1 page there is an ArcMap document that can be downloaded that has the Virtual Earth service added. There are Layer files and a ArcGlobe document (3DD) file on this website as well. Open the downloaded map document and explore Microsoft Virtual Earth.
CCBC Geospatial Applications Program
The Community College of Baltimore County is one of the few community colleges on the east coast to offer a degree program in Geospatial Applications. The program was started in the fall of 2006 and is accredited by the Maryland Higher Education Commission. On March 1st, 2009, CCBC received statewide designation which allows for out of county students to take classes at in-county rate.
Students of all backgrounds are taking advantage of this program which feeds into the rapidly growing geospatial industry. A variety of ages are taking classes; from high school seniors to older adults in their late 60′s. Some students are seeking their first degree while others are returning for training and certification. With the downturn with the economy, more and more are returning to add a boost of GIS to their experience. Additionally, there is about a 3-2 male to female ratio.
Here is a breakdown of what the Geospatial Applications Program offers:
- Associate of Applied Science Degree
- 65-66 Credits
- 2 Year Program
- Transferable to a four year institute for a bachelor’s degree
- Introduction to Geospatial Applications Certificate
- 13 credits
- Provides immediate skills to enter the GIS workplace or as a way for skill enhancement
- Advanced Geospatial Applications Certificate
- 23 credits
- Provides additional experience in advanced spatial analysis and project design and management
- Focused on core courses and immediate employment
Transfer Options
For those who desire to pursue a four degree, an articulation agreement has been negotiated for students to transfer to the two largest transfer institutions in the area. Students who complete the A.A.S Degree in Geospatial Applications can earn junior and senior level credit through Towson University or the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. CCBC is the first community college GIS program in the country to be able to achieve such an aggressive articulation agreement.
Class Specifics
Class sizes are currently averaging about seven students. The introductory courses tend to have higher attendance with 10-16 students, and the advanced courses tend to be smaller with 3-6 students. Since the program is still relatively new, the class cohorts are slowly increasing each year.
Currently there are no classes offered online. Face-to-face interaction is important in GIS classes, specifically with Remote Sensing and GPS.
Beyond just the basic core classes of GIS, CCBC offers more specialized courses such as Decision Making Using GIS and Remote Sensing and GPS. Decision Making Using GIS focuses on the ArcGIS extensions (3D Mapper, Spatial Analyst, Network Analyst, etc.). Remote Sensing and GPS focuses on the principles of remote sensing and image interpretation as well as GPS software and technology.
In addition to ESRI’s ArcGIS software, students are exposed to other software programs. In the Remote Sensing and GPS class, students learn how to use Pathfinder Office, Terrasync, and ERDAS Imagine. The Adobe suite is also incorporated into map production with the use of Photoshop and Illustrator. As for software availability, enrolled students are provided with a free one year ArcView software license with all extensions.
Scholarships/Internships/Organizations
CCBC is currently establishing a series of scholarships to help with tuition for the program. As students are usually required to present posters/maps at conferences, the college will often help cost the student’s conference fees.
As internships can be a key boost to jump starting a career, a variety of paid and unpaid internships are made available. The positions are usually with local, county and state municipalities, non-profit groups, and local and regional businesses.
Although there are currently no GIS student clubs/organizations in place, CCBC students have expressed an intrest in forming a chapter of Gamma Theta Epsilon, an international honor society in geography.
Summary
The CCBC program appears to be very well organized. Although they may not offer online classes, schedule flexibility is shown with the provision of day and night classes. The small class sizes make an excellent learning environment for more one-on-one time with the professor. I believe the huge benefit of this program is the ability to transfer the A.A.S. degree. Most colleges do not have a transfer program set up and if they do, very few geospatial classes will transfer. If you are looking to move forward with a four year degree then this would be an excellent one to look into further. Check it out for yourself!
Thank you to Professor Scott Jeffrey for taking the time to provide this valuable information.
Note: The information within this article has been thoroughly researched but should be verified with the college. Publication of this article was not initiated by the college but is the sole work of GIS Pathway.
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota GIS Program
The Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota Department of Resource Analysis provides a Master of Science – Geographic Information Science degree. This degree consists of 41 semester hours. In addition to the master’s degree they also have a Professional Certificate in Geospatial Technology which can be earned separately or concurrently with the master’s degree. These educational options are available between their two campuses; the Winona Campus and the Twin Cities Campus.
Saint Mary’s Department of Resource Analysis prides itself in allowing for “hands on learning”. This learning style embraces the ESRI technology in their labs and instructional materials. The class sizes are usually small and enable students to receive direct instructor support. Beyond the classroom, Saint Mary’s helps to develop networking opportunities for career placement and advancement.
On their website, Saint Mary’s University describes their program:
The program is suited for diverse interests and provides educational options for any learner no matter their background. Student centered learning is maximized through flexibility in offering distance-learning courses as well as multiple degree concentrations in natural resource management, homeland security/emergency management, business, policy administration, criminal justice, and/or project management.
Their students and alumni have received quite a bit a recognition and praise from various sources. These include:
- GIS Project Presentation at the International ESRI Conference
- Job Interview with the United States Postal Inspection Service
- Received Job as the Deputy GIS officer for all of Europe
- Student said that they went from no technology background to gaining effective GIS skills
- Described as putting top-quality professionals out in the GIS world!
To see what type of graduates this program puts out, check out some of their students’ work:
Graduate Project Video Presentations
Graduate Papers Online
Some of the topics include:
- Using GIS to Examine the Head Start Service Area in Winona County, Minnesota
- The effect of Tourist Attractions on the Crime Trends in the Growing Community of Shakopee, Minnesota
- Using GIS to Create a Gray Wolf Habitat Suitability Model in the Western Upper Penninsula of Michigan and Assessment of Wolf Pack Ranges
- Improving Geocode Match Rates of Valid Addresses by Combining Multiple Reference Data Sets
- Using GIS to Locate Target Markets in the Retail Banking Sector
The Professional Certificate in Geospatial Technology falls under the Continuing Education Program. There are three different certificates available:
- Professional Certificate in Geospatial Technology – Foundations
- Professional Certificate in Geospatial Technology – Advanced Engagements
- Professional Certificate in Geospatial Technology – Excellence
Each certificate requires 120 continuing education units with each continuing education unit equaling 10 hours of course time. The program is setup as an on-learning environment. The courses are described as:
The courses provided through this program are intended to ensure that geospatial and technology enthusiasts have access to, and are provided with, opportunities to remain current with technology in the field of Geographic Information Systems and related geospatial technologies.
Scholarships
Saint Mary’s University offers a variety of scholarships although none directly apply to GIS. One that caught my attention was the SGPP Faculty Staff Scholarship. The faculty and staff provide two scholarships of at least $1,700 which are available to students in any of the certificate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral programs.
Learn more about Saint Mary’s University: http://www.smumn.edu/
Learn more about the Geospatial Program: http://www.gis.smumn.edu/
Note: The information within this article has been thoroughly researched but should be verified with the college. Publication of this article was not initiated by the college but is the sole work of GIS Pathway.
American River College GIS Program
The American River College is a two-year community college located in Sacramento, CA. They are classified in the top ten community colleges within California based on their enrollment of almost 32,000 students with the average class size at 22. The college offers over 30 certificate programs and over 40 degree programs.
American River College has provided a GIS program since 1997 with the approval of certificate and degree programs beginning in 2001. They offer an Interdisciplinary Applications Certificate and an A.S. Degree in GIS. These programs are comprised of 15 different GIS courses. Although none of these GIS courses are offered online, they do hope to be using the online format in the near future.
Students who enroll into the program have access to a state of the art computer facility with the latest GIS software. ArcView (with extensions) is also provided as a take home solution with a one year student license. In addition to ArcGIS, students are able to have hands-on experience with other GIS software such as GPS software and Erdas Imagine.
The GIS program faculty is made up of both full time and adjunct professors. Each full time faculty member brings a wealth of experience to the classroom. From coauthoring GIS books to establishing GIS curriculum this faculty helps support a quality program. The adjunct faculty also brings experience from governmental GIS divisions that include California Fish and Game and the City of Sacramento.
Those students wishing to transfer to a four-year college may do so, but must be cautioned because GIS courses at American River College are lower division and universities classify their GIS course as upper division. There are some universities that may allow certain courses to transfer, but you will need to contact the university directly to see what will transfer. Universities like Humboldt and Berkeley would be a place to start.
Students who choose not to pursuer a four year degree have the option to go out directly into the workplace. Although students are not provided directly with internships, they are kept up to date on local job availability. An interesting fact to note is that the typical GIS student at American River College is a working professional with the average age at 28.
The American River College GIS program has been recognized by the California Geographic Information Association with the “Excellence in Education” award. In addition, the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) has presented the program with the “Special Achievement in GIS” award.
For more information visit: http://web.arc.losrios.edu/~earthsci/gis.htm
Thank you to Dr. Hugh Howard for providing some great information.
Note: The information within this article has been thoroughly researched but should be verified with the college. Publication of this article was not initiated by the college but is the sole work of GIS Pathway.
Getting to Know ArcGIS for 9.3
ESRI has just announced an updated version to one of their best selling books entitled Getting to Know ArcGIS. This information coming out on December 1st through a ESRI Press Release. The enhancement has added about 18 pages and updates the exercise data to be compatible with ArcGIS 9.3.
This book is a great resource for those who are looking to learn the ArcGIS interface. As the press release states:
The workbook introduces GIS concepts and capabilities and describes the features and functionality in ArcView, ArcEditor, and ArcInfo, the core products in the ArcGIS Desktop line. Step-by-step exercises, accompanied by richly detailed illustrations, teach basic GIS tasks such as how to conduct spatial analysis, make maps, and build and edit spatial databases.
However, if you do not have ArcGIS 9.3 then the older version would be fine. Both books contain the same quality information. There is a slight price difference in the books though.
Getting to Know ArcGIS (9.2 and earlier)
Related GIS Pathway Posts
Getting to Know ArcGIS
GIS is a massive topic. You can spend your entire lifetime studying this field and still not know it all. And on top of that, studying can only get you so far. You will begin to learn so much more by taking the initiative to explore hands on above and beyond any textbook.
Even though I feel you can learn more by exploring, I would suggest you take a look at the Getting to Know ArcGIS Desktop book. This book is full of rich information covering GIS in the ArcGIS software environment. The basics of ArcView, ArcEditor, and ArcInfo at version 9 are covered. And it is obvious that this book cannot keep up with technology because later versions have already come out. And although this is true, version 9 basics apply across the board even if you are using 9.3 or later. I cannot stress enough the importance of know these basics since they will be your foundation of any building block you may apply.
Explore it today and build a foundation for your future.
