Topic ID #2317 - posted 11/6/2007 4:35 PM
SN4
GIS Certificate Course
SN4
Greetings everyone,
I have been interested in GIS for a while now. Recently I discovered a place to take a GIS course, the program offers a certificate course. I have discussed this issue with an well established archaeologist and he mentioned that GIS is be coming popular in the archaeology field.
I have two questions concerning the certificate course.
1. How employable would a person be with just a certificate in GIS?
2. What type companies would employ a person with a GIS background in relation to archaeology ?
An information would be very helpful. Feel free to respond to my personal email address, if you do respond to the personal email address use AFW in subject line.
Peace,
Suzanne
I have been interested in GIS for a while now. Recently I discovered a place to take a GIS course, the program offers a certificate course. I have discussed this issue with an well established archaeologist and he mentioned that GIS is be coming popular in the archaeology field.
I have two questions concerning the certificate course.
1. How employable would a person be with just a certificate in GIS?
2. What type companies would employ a person with a GIS background in relation to archaeology ?
An information would be very helpful. Feel free to respond to my personal email address, if you do respond to the personal email address use AFW in subject line.
Peace,
Suzanne
Post ID#7184 - replied 5/1/2008 4:05 PM
rassilon
*BUMP*
I'm kind of in the same boat...
I'm interested in Archaeology but I am looking into GIS via a Geography degree. I'm wondering if I would be in demand in the Archaeological community? Would minoring in Anthropology help?
Adrian
I'm kind of in the same boat...
I'm interested in Archaeology but I am looking into GIS via a Geography degree. I'm wondering if I would be in demand in the Archaeological community? Would minoring in Anthropology help?
Adrian
Post ID#7186 - replied 5/1/2008 4:57 PM
Jeandron
You do see occasional job adverts for GIS/CAD specialists but are rare. One just came out today on Shovelbums.org.
Post ID#7210 - replied 5/2/2008 9:34 AM
Jennifer Palmer
Webmaster
I try to pass along GIS positions that I see that are posted by CRM companies. You may also want to check out http://www.gisjobs.com/ and http://www.gjc.org/.
Good luck!
Jennifer
Good luck!
Jennifer
Post ID#7246 - replied 5/4/2008 10:05 AM
SN4
Thanks for responding, I will check out the info you sent.
Peace,
Suzanne :D
Peace,
Suzanne :D
Post ID#7263 - replied 5/5/2008 2:12 AM
djbera
I majored in Anthropology and am just finishing up my GIS certificate program as well. I haven't found a ton of Arch/GIS jobs but I've found lots of GIS jobs, that pay rather well and I'm hoping will tide me over until I find my ideal Arch/GIS job. If you're unable to find a decent Arch/GIS job, at least you'll have the skills to find a good GIS job.
Post ID#7265 - replied 5/5/2008 2:06 PM
rassilon
... a reason I am worried about majoring in Anthropology and doing the GIS certificate, lack of job opportunity in my degree area and possibly less desirable in the GIS field due to too much specialization...
This is why I am curious if a person with Geography degree with GIS training and a minor in Anthropology would be able slide in to Archaeological positions if available?
A professor I contacted at my local university said that I would have to specialize in GIS/Landscape Archaeology... yet a little here and elsewhere I get hints that one doesn't really need the background (but it helps) to work in Archaeological GIS.
So far I haven't been able to get a straight answer on this and it would be very helpful to know before I declare a major. :)
Thanks!
Adrian
This is why I am curious if a person with Geography degree with GIS training and a minor in Anthropology would be able slide in to Archaeological positions if available?
A professor I contacted at my local university said that I would have to specialize in GIS/Landscape Archaeology... yet a little here and elsewhere I get hints that one doesn't really need the background (but it helps) to work in Archaeological GIS.
So far I haven't been able to get a straight answer on this and it would be very helpful to know before I declare a major. :)
Thanks!
Adrian
Post ID#7266 - replied 5/5/2008 3:01 PM
FireArch
Moderator
"I am worried about... lack of job opportunity in my degree area."
Adrian,
We all worry about that sort of thing.
It has been my experience with GIS-only folks that, for whatever reason, they do not conceive of archaeological space very well (this is probably so with just the ones that I've encountered). On the other hand experienced archaeological folks can be made to understand how to translate archaeological space into GIS terms fairly well. With that in mind, if you want to be in the archaeological field of endeavor and do GIS I would major in anth/arch and minor in geo/gis.
By the way, there's more to GIS in archaeology than Landscapes.
Adrian,
We all worry about that sort of thing.
It has been my experience with GIS-only folks that, for whatever reason, they do not conceive of archaeological space very well (this is probably so with just the ones that I've encountered). On the other hand experienced archaeological folks can be made to understand how to translate archaeological space into GIS terms fairly well. With that in mind, if you want to be in the archaeological field of endeavor and do GIS I would major in anth/arch and minor in geo/gis.
By the way, there's more to GIS in archaeology than Landscapes.
Post ID#7276 - replied 5/5/2008 8:22 PM
rassilon
Thanks on the input...
"Adding into my virtual dbase... aka rapidly approaching overly full brain".
Understood on the Landscape Archaeology...
So, more and more it's sounding like Geo/GIS is not so compatible with Anthro/GIS yet it may be the other way around?
Guess I will have to look into this from that point of view now and see what I come up with... one reason I may seem overly concerned on the career/job opportunity issue, is that I am a 37 year old college returnee... I'm not at the same place a "youngin" would be going into this... :) At my age and life situation fieldwork and/or distant travel/time needed for my education may not be an option... hence my interest in limiting the Anthropological aspect without axing it and focusing more on the GIS in an attempt to find non field or limited field Archaeological work...
Thanks again!
Adrian
"Adding into my virtual dbase... aka rapidly approaching overly full brain".
Understood on the Landscape Archaeology...
So, more and more it's sounding like Geo/GIS is not so compatible with Anthro/GIS yet it may be the other way around?
Guess I will have to look into this from that point of view now and see what I come up with... one reason I may seem overly concerned on the career/job opportunity issue, is that I am a 37 year old college returnee... I'm not at the same place a "youngin" would be going into this... :) At my age and life situation fieldwork and/or distant travel/time needed for my education may not be an option... hence my interest in limiting the Anthropological aspect without axing it and focusing more on the GIS in an attempt to find non field or limited field Archaeological work...
Thanks again!
Adrian
Post ID#7284 - replied 5/5/2008 9:37 PM
FireArch
Moderator
Adrian,
The point I seemed not to have illustrated very well is that GIS is GIS, no matter what application it is being put to, it's the frame of reference that is different, and some folks grasp those frames differently. With a GIS background you should be able to apply the skills no matter the job, the difference will be in the particulars. Think of GIS as a large, well-stocked tool box. Not all tools will used in every job, and some will be used for a particular task, others for a variety of tasks - and the tasks dont have to be geo or archy related in any way; you could be working on a planning document, a building design, a cityscape, etc.
Hope that helps,
Richard
The point I seemed not to have illustrated very well is that GIS is GIS, no matter what application it is being put to, it's the frame of reference that is different, and some folks grasp those frames differently. With a GIS background you should be able to apply the skills no matter the job, the difference will be in the particulars. Think of GIS as a large, well-stocked tool box. Not all tools will used in every job, and some will be used for a particular task, others for a variety of tasks - and the tasks dont have to be geo or archy related in any way; you could be working on a planning document, a building design, a cityscape, etc.
Hope that helps,
Richard
Post ID#7295 - replied 5/6/2008 12:16 AM
rassilon
Thanks again... a toolbox is indeed what i've pictured GIS as which is why I thought it would be great for use in history in anthropology before I even knew it was already used in the fields. :) It's the reason I had thought and hoped I would be able to get work in either field with primary knowledge in GIS and secondary knowledge in said fields.
I've had multiple sources tell me to major in Archaeology etc... and then get the GIS certificate from within that field of study, some say go the Geography/GIS route and co-major and say minor....
Much to think about and continue to research...
I've had multiple sources tell me to major in Archaeology etc... and then get the GIS certificate from within that field of study, some say go the Geography/GIS route and co-major and say minor....
Much to think about and continue to research...
Post ID#7300 - replied 5/6/2008 9:44 AM
FireArch
Moderator
Adrian,
Understood. To me, however, it's a matter of what you know and how to use it that is more important than how you came to know it. So which route to choose? If all roads lead to Rome, find the one that's going to pay YOU to get there. Look at the various programs available to you and see which ones are offering paid internships, the better scholarships, job placements, that sort of thing.
Cheers,
Richard
Understood. To me, however, it's a matter of what you know and how to use it that is more important than how you came to know it. So which route to choose? If all roads lead to Rome, find the one that's going to pay YOU to get there. Look at the various programs available to you and see which ones are offering paid internships, the better scholarships, job placements, that sort of thing.
Cheers,
Richard
Post ID#11598 - replied 10/26/2008 12:34 AM
dslamb5736
I realize this post is a little old but I thought I would also add a little from a GIS/Geographer perspective.
From personal experience (meaning being involved in hiring GIS Analysts), a company may be reluctant to hire you if you Major in another discipline and only minor in GIS or have a certificate in GIS. This is because of the perception that you will only be temporary in position till something comes along in your "real" discipline. Something to keep in mind if you plan on moonlighting as a GISer. This of course is dependent on the position you are applying for GIS Tech vs Analyst vs Manager, etc... It also depends on the company. The company in my example only hired when they knew they needed someone and that they could guarantee that person's job will be there for several years. In return they expected the person to be around for a number of years.
Just my 2 cents.
From personal experience (meaning being involved in hiring GIS Analysts), a company may be reluctant to hire you if you Major in another discipline and only minor in GIS or have a certificate in GIS. This is because of the perception that you will only be temporary in position till something comes along in your "real" discipline. Something to keep in mind if you plan on moonlighting as a GISer. This of course is dependent on the position you are applying for GIS Tech vs Analyst vs Manager, etc... It also depends on the company. The company in my example only hired when they knew they needed someone and that they could guarantee that person's job will be there for several years. In return they expected the person to be around for a number of years.
Just my 2 cents.
Post ID#11855 - replied 11/19/2008 2:04 PM
matthogan
Please verify the statement this posts heading?
Geographic information systems are set up to manage, analyze, and display geographic data, which archaeological data is a sub-set of; an x,y, and z value is x,y, and z regardless of your displine. Grant it most computer science oriented GIS folks will not intuitively understand how to model archaeological data, or design databases that meet the needs of a professional archaeologist, but in terms of a GIS, space is space.
In my experience a GIS/geography focus will give you more employment oppurtunities, and if you want to stay keyed in to the arch world build your field experience, no firm will turn down a good archaeologist, with lots of practical experience regardless of there degree. On the other, applying for a GIS analyst, specialist, or technician position typically requires more than a certificate, especially if you have little to no GIS experience.
Geographic information systems are set up to manage, analyze, and display geographic data, which archaeological data is a sub-set of; an x,y, and z value is x,y, and z regardless of your displine. Grant it most computer science oriented GIS folks will not intuitively understand how to model archaeological data, or design databases that meet the needs of a professional archaeologist, but in terms of a GIS, space is space.
In my experience a GIS/geography focus will give you more employment oppurtunities, and if you want to stay keyed in to the arch world build your field experience, no firm will turn down a good archaeologist, with lots of practical experience regardless of there degree. On the other, applying for a GIS analyst, specialist, or technician position typically requires more than a certificate, especially if you have little to no GIS experience.
Post ID#11858 - replied 11/19/2008 4:24 PM
djbera
A certificate will be enough to get you at least a GIS Technician job if you're the right kind of person for the company and job. I was an anthropology undergrad, completed a GIS certificate program and got a GIS technician job pretty quick. You could get a analyst or specialist job with a certificate if you have enough experience but like any career you need to start at the bottom.
Post ID#16172 - replied 11/16/2009 5:15 AM
Celtictool
What is a typical starting salary for a GIS tech?
Post ID#16189 - replied 11/16/2009 5:41 PM
KB
[quote:="dslamb5736"]
From personal experience (meaning being involved in hiring GIS Analysts), a company may be reluctant to hire you if you Major in another discipline and only minor in GIS or have a certificate in GIS.
I'm a Staff Archaeologist/GIS specialist but my background (and graduate school) is primarily in Geography/GIS. I've worked a great deal outside of archaeology as a GIS Analyst.
It's been my experience that it's only been a very recent phenomena that GIS is considered it's own field. It's always been a subbranch of other fields and knowledge/experience is generally elevated over degree attainment. Even in terms of GISP certification, it's not what your degree is in, it's whether you have a degree (at all) and the required public involvement/critical skills/work history.
When I worked for a very large, national engineering firm; we didn't differentiate between somebody with a Geology, Geography, or Archaeology background, as long as the applicant had a GIS focus in their degree.
From personal experience (meaning being involved in hiring GIS Analysts), a company may be reluctant to hire you if you Major in another discipline and only minor in GIS or have a certificate in GIS.
I'm a Staff Archaeologist/GIS specialist but my background (and graduate school) is primarily in Geography/GIS. I've worked a great deal outside of archaeology as a GIS Analyst.
It's been my experience that it's only been a very recent phenomena that GIS is considered it's own field. It's always been a subbranch of other fields and knowledge/experience is generally elevated over degree attainment. Even in terms of GISP certification, it's not what your degree is in, it's whether you have a degree (at all) and the required public involvement/critical skills/work history.
When I worked for a very large, national engineering firm; we didn't differentiate between somebody with a Geology, Geography, or Archaeology background, as long as the applicant had a GIS focus in their degree.
Post ID#16190 - replied 11/16/2009 5:42 PM
KB
[quote:="Celtictool"]What is a typical starting salary for a GIS tech?
That is going to vary widely depending on the region, field, experience, and education.
That is going to vary widely depending on the region, field, experience, and education.
Post ID#16196 - replied 11/16/2009 11:29 PM
Celtictool
[quote:="KB"][quote:="Celtictool"]What is a typical starting salary for a GIS tech?
That is going to vary widely depending on the region, field, experience, and education.
Say if someone had an MA in Archaeology, worked in the (South Eastern) US, and had about 1-2yrs of experience.
That is going to vary widely depending on the region, field, experience, and education.
Say if someone had an MA in Archaeology, worked in the (South Eastern) US, and had about 1-2yrs of experience.
Post ID#16207 - replied 11/17/2009 12:40 PM
cmarknicholson
http://www.saa.org/Portals/0/SAA/Publications/thesaaarchrec/mar08.pdf
There is a chart on pg 37 that shows a chart with pay ranges by state.
There is a chart on pg 37 that shows a chart with pay ranges by state.
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