Continuing from my train of thought yesterday about data standards, I have another mini-rant. GIS is cool. Really cool. But it is hard to explain what exactly I do. Because GIS encompasses so much. I do data analysis and satellite imagery analysis. I study sociology and economics and history. And I make art (maps really. but art is involved). Oh, I can also code in 5 languages (Java, C++, AML, Python, HTML) and need to start learning Flex.
So there's a huge range of things I know about. Which I guess makes it hard for employers to fit me in? Yes, there are jobs available in GIS. Lots and lots actually since it's a growing field. But here's the problem: I don't know how many of you have been job hunting recently, but most of it is all done on line now. As a result, one must navigate a company/school/government department's website and menus to find job postings. And you wanna know what the biggest problem with that is? There is no standard location for GIS job postings. Sometimes it's under IT. Sometimes engineering. Sometimes (rarely) it's under geography or GIS. BUT FOR REALS, THIS MAKES IT HARD TO JOB HUNT >.<
(I supposed I shouldn't be too surprised. There's no rhyme or reason to GIS when it comes to schooling either. Some colleges and universities put a GIS degree under Computer Science, some under Geography, some under Geography. Yep, you can graduate from different schools with a BA or a BS, there is no telling. At my university, GIS falls under the Social Sciences college. I'm fairly certain, we are the only degree in the College that is a BS. I think we're required to take more math than most GIS programs that grant BAs? AARRRGH. I DON'T EVEN KNOW ANYMORE. SO CONFUSED)
MEANWHILE, Bioshock Infinite was released yesterday. I just played the introduction, and let me tell you: PRETTY-NESS!!! Always cool world building from the Bioshock folks.
I'm not going to play any more of it right now though. I wanna finish LEGO LOTR first (digression: can it be 2 years from now so I can have LEGO Hobbit? also so we can just get the Battle of Five Armies OVER AND FUCKING DONE WITH??? I WANNA GET RID OF MY HOBBIT FEEEEEELS). And then I need to finish the original Bioshock since that isn't done yet. Hey, don't blame me, I only bought it in the last month with the Infinite pre-order (thank you Steam!). And I can't play it in the dark, too fucking creepy. Must play it during the day.
And you know, there's school work to be done D:
But hey! I'm officially getting paid for my internship now! which is cool. AND I'm hired through mid-August (part time) which means I'll have some income as I really start to job hunt. Also flexible hours since I'll be at the office about 10-15 hrs a week.
Also, my supervisor suggested I apply for the GIS position that will be opening in the next few weeks. Which is great and all (can you feel the 'but...' coming?) but I really don't think that I could stand this job full time. The politics leave something to be desired. There seem to be two GIS people? And they have very different Ideas about what should be done with data and information sharing and projects. I am confused. Something to think about.
So there's a huge range of things I know about. Which I guess makes it hard for employers to fit me in? Yes, there are jobs available in GIS. Lots and lots actually since it's a growing field. But here's the problem: I don't know how many of you have been job hunting recently, but most of it is all done on line now. As a result, one must navigate a company/school/government department's website and menus to find job postings. And you wanna know what the biggest problem with that is? There is no standard location for GIS job postings. Sometimes it's under IT. Sometimes engineering. Sometimes (rarely) it's under geography or GIS. BUT FOR REALS, THIS MAKES IT HARD TO JOB HUNT >.<
(I supposed I shouldn't be too surprised. There's no rhyme or reason to GIS when it comes to schooling either. Some colleges and universities put a GIS degree under Computer Science, some under Geography, some under Geography. Yep, you can graduate from different schools with a BA or a BS, there is no telling. At my university, GIS falls under the Social Sciences college. I'm fairly certain, we are the only degree in the College that is a BS. I think we're required to take more math than most GIS programs that grant BAs? AARRRGH. I DON'T EVEN KNOW ANYMORE. SO CONFUSED)
MEANWHILE, Bioshock Infinite was released yesterday. I just played the introduction, and let me tell you: PRETTY-NESS!!! Always cool world building from the Bioshock folks.
I'm not going to play any more of it right now though. I wanna finish LEGO LOTR first (digression: can it be 2 years from now so I can have LEGO Hobbit? also so we can just get the Battle of Five Armies OVER AND FUCKING DONE WITH??? I WANNA GET RID OF MY HOBBIT FEEEEEELS). And then I need to finish the original Bioshock since that isn't done yet. Hey, don't blame me, I only bought it in the last month with the Infinite pre-order (thank you Steam!). And I can't play it in the dark, too fucking creepy. Must play it during the day.
And you know, there's school work to be done D:
But hey! I'm officially getting paid for my internship now! which is cool. AND I'm hired through mid-August (part time) which means I'll have some income as I really start to job hunt. Also flexible hours since I'll be at the office about 10-15 hrs a week.
Also, my supervisor suggested I apply for the GIS position that will be opening in the next few weeks. Which is great and all (can you feel the 'but...' coming?) but I really don't think that I could stand this job full time. The politics leave something to be desired. There seem to be two GIS people? And they have very different Ideas about what should be done with data and information sharing and projects. I am confused. Something to think about.
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