Informing Students about GISP Certification

I wrote a paper for an English class during my first year in the Geospatial Technology Program at Central Piedmont Community College.  The paper was to be focused on a program enhancement proposal.  Although this only went only as far as my English professor, I believe that there are some really important things to point out.

There are several community colleges that focus on the applied uses of the Geographic Information System. Programs properly educates students in order to place then into GIS positions. Outside of GIS degrees and certificates that colleges provide, the GIS Certification Institute offers a professional certification in GIS. Standards and requirements are outlined by the GISCI to give adequate recognition to those who comply with the requirements.

Although many colleges provides quality degree and certificate programs, there is a need to inform student about the GIS professional certification. Many GIS students have never heard of a certified GIS professional. They are being taught the fundamentals of the industry but not how to develop a GIS career. Through developing a career, students will learn the importance of continuing education and networking beyond just acquiring a job.

Informing students about the certified GIS professional is essential when they begin college. With the aspects of career planning, the introduction of this certification will inspire student to think long-term. In addition, goals are instilled in the thought process of the students. Students will be able to see past graduation and build objectives that they will desire to fulfill. Furthermore, the ethics of the GIS industry will be presented to the student. Preparing students for a job is one thing, but preparing students who will do what is right within a job is another.

As the GIS industry grows, students must be informed about the areas important to a GIS career. Students must have set goals, networking abilities, and ethical training. Teaching students early about the GIS Professional Certification will help to produce quality GIS graduates.

Download the discussed research paper….Proposal to Inform Students About GIS Certification

Note: The above paper was never submitted to Central Piedmont Community College; however, I feel that it presents a good example of most GIS Colleges.

Want to know when you should start on your GISP? Read GISP Certification – Start Now!

GISP Certification – Start Now!

My employer was the first to tell me about GIS Professional Certification provided through the GIS Certification Institute.  Since I was new to the GIS industry, I knew nothing about GISP; but the information that he provided challenged me to learn more about what it could do for me and how I could earn it.  I went to the GISCI website to learn what the certification was, who recognized it, and how I could earn this title.

Through the things that I learned, I was eager to get started gathering the necessary documentation required.  Although I had only been in the GIS industry for a few months, I was already thinking about placing “GISP” after my name.

I found that I would need a minimum of 4 years of GIS work experience in addition to education and professional contribution requirements.  It seemed like a far way off, but I wanted to be prepared for when I had met all the requirements.  I went to the GISCI website and printed off the application.  I placed this application in a folder and began recording every aspect of my new GIS career.

As I took classes from the ESRI Training website and at the local college, I documented each class to help build my application portfolio.  I also knew what was required for documentation as I went to local and region conferences.  I found that if I participated in the conferences and events (map poster, topic presentation, committee or board), I could earn additional points towards my certification.  I also began keeping a yearly job description along with the tasks that I performed so that I knew how to accurately document my experience points.  In addition to the portfolio, I also created a simple excel spreadsheet to calculate all of my points so I would know my point status.  With these elements, I can easily see which areas are lacking the minimum requirements and also keep myself encouraged that I am closer now than when I first started.

Although I am still working on my GISP Certification, I would recommend the following:

• Start Preparing Now (It is easier to start sooner than later.)
• Keep a GIS Portfolio (That conference registration letter will disappear.)
• Understand the Application (You will find points that you may not of thought were beneficial.)
• Find a Mentor (There is a mentor program through the GISCI.)
• Keep Your Focus and Do Not Give Up (You Will Eventually Reach Your Goal.)

Whether you are just taking your first GIS college course or if you have been in the industry for a while now is the time to begin preparing for your GIS Professional Certification.  This recognition will be very valuable in both the early and later years of your career.  Start Today!

ESRI Training and Education Center

Although all GIS does not revolve around ESRI software, ArcGIS holds a big portion of it.  When you open ArcMap for the first time, it is a bit overwhelming.  You wonder if you are ever going to be able to use all of the features and even more understand what everything does.  With all of this confusion, ESRI has provided an excellent place to gain training and understanding.

The site that ESRI has created is called ESRI Training and Education.  On this site you can find Read more