Delivering on GIS:A look at critical skills and issues in the use

of GIS on

What is GIS?

When and where can it be applied?

Why is it important?

Most importantly, can I get a job with this?

Also important: What do I need to do to keep a job?

To be covered

Geographic Information Systems is one common term.◦ This is a reference to the people, computer hardware, software

and technologies that advance computer-based cartography, dynamics of an area and information exchange with an underlying geographic component.

Geographic Information Sciences is another possible term◦ This is a reference to the theoretical and applied knowledge

behind the creation of modern, data-driven maps.

The difference? ◦ The Systems GIS is an technology-driven, data-driven pragmatic

framework for solving problems. ◦ The Sciences GIS is a broader, more holistic view that includes

theoretical studies and delves more deeply into the question: “Why do we study the globe?”

So what is GIS in the working world?

Pure Cartography – updating maps as the world’s events change them

Macro-scale Landforms and Environments: Studying the natural and man-made changes to the globe

Network geographies: Understanding how and why goods and people move on roads, bridges, air and rail.

Meso- and Micro-scale Development geographies: Change in geography over time due to man-made actions, including environmental and economic changes

Disaster and Sudden Change Geographies: Violent upheavals in landforms creating instant new geographic reality

When and Where can GIS be applied to the real-world?

The creation of maps that name locations, events, natural phenomena or man-made alterations to terrain

The goal is descriptive, in their words to help people learn what is there

It is very important for Atlases, travel guides and any map where the most important information is understanding what is there

While there are few pure cartographers left, understanding the basics of good mapping remains important.

Pure cartography

Pure Cartography

The study of large-scale landform development

These landforms impact populations, environments, lifestyles and can require large scale efforts

These are often long term developments, such as pollution, economic development, nation-state changes or shifts in political alliance that cause resource shift

However, war and natural disasters can also change large scale change, and quickly

Macro and Meso-scale landform studies

Love Canal

Hurricane Irene

An example of an emergency map

Invasive Species

http://imapinvasives.org/nyimi/map/#

Invasive Mapping

Network Geography•Studies Efficiency of Motion•Gives us a visual understanding of capacity and flow direction•May add an element of time geography

Network Geography – my world

This focuses on human beings and their reactions to the geospatial realities of their world

It is dependent not just on understanding how the geographies look and what data there are, but people’s reaction to that data and understanding of it

This can focus on social geographies, urban geographies and brownfield redevelopment

Micro and Meso-scale GIS

Several small events (man-made or natural) that cause long-lasting impact and much greater than one individual event

May not be seen until after the major catastrophic event occurs.

May have unforeseen socio-economic issues, such as environmental justice concerns

Cumulative Impacts

Urban Desertification

Disasters Wars Results of long term human impact that

reach a tipping point and create sudden, drastic change

Sudden Change Geographies

Centralia, PA

What it actually is:

A Coal Fire that has been burning since 1962… and will until the year 2500!

Centralia Demolition

NOTE: Some buildings left intact

WHY?

•Political Pressure

•Unsafe to demolish

•Lack of funds

So, can you get a job? YES! The demand for GIS jobs and related fields is

expected to grow by 10,000 over the next 8-10 years.

However, there’s a really important development:◦ Since 2002, many other nations with superior

geography curricula now have GIS educations◦ Your competition may come from India, Russia,

Japan or Finand◦ You must develop skills and keep being on top of

your career

Require critical thinking◦ In ay critical event, especially one with potential large-

scale environmental damage, there is constant change. You have to see through the “white noise” and act on what is most vital

Require a good knowledge base of GIS◦ Learn how to use GIS in an intelligent and actionable

manner

Requires environmental perception or knowledge◦ Either know the area or have the skills to learn it

Some skills to work by

Prioritize! The most important question in an emergency is “When?” not “What?” or “How?”

Next most important question: “Who?”◦ Know your resources, know your departments,

know who to make contact with and who to deliver your information to

Get the right data out quickly. Analytics are not immediately important, but accuracy is

What skills you need

Analytics•Find A Problem•Find An Area to study•Propose a Hypothesis•Study the Data•Confirm the Hypothesis or suggest other research if Hypothesis fails•Check your method of measurement and your error•Be willing to not just have good data, but see that data solve a problem

KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE!!! Maps and Analysis tell a story

◦ It must be relevant◦ It must be timely◦ It must be understandable◦ It must be able to solve a problem

Have good presentation skills◦ Practice your presentation

Be clear and concise in your written communications You don’t need to speak English as a First Language

to succeed, but you must speak accurately and intelligently

So, how do you present your analysis?

Critical skill in today’s market Join your GIS Association, local or state If you have national or international

aspirations, join an organization like AAG Attend local and major national conferences Learn how successful people work with

others and share information, even if they compete

Always be willing to spend time with your colleagues and work together to solve problems

Networking

Find a passion within GIS and learn it Don’t forget basic cartography and skills Be capable of working in a stressful

environment with a calm demeanor See problems and be ahead of the curve Utilize your skills pro-actively Be able to analyze Be able to deliver a good presentation Be able to network

Conclusions:

Rich Quodomine +1 518 542 8799 Rich.Quodomine@dot.ny.gov Twitter: RDQ_Geography Co-Author “Practicing Geography” Contributor to Directions Magazine On LinkedIn Can help with Internships

Thank You!