According to ONET, the online occupational resource set up by the U.S. Department of Labor, there are over 120 occupations where workers may use geographic information system skills. The American Association of Geographers indicates significant growth for positions that emphasize the use of skills.

 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the following industries as the greatest employers of geographic information systems specialists (included under "cartographers and photogrammetrists)

• local government
• architecture and engineering services
• federal and state government
• management, scientific and technical consulting services

What You'll Learn

You'll develop crosscutting geospatial skills and knowledge, such as Earth geometry and geodesy, data quality, positioning systems, remote sensing and photogrammetry, cartography and visualization, geographic information systems, programming, application development, data modeling, GST and society.

Through the program you will:

• Use GIS to acquire, manage, display and analyze spatial data in digital form
• Produce, create and design paper or digital maps
• Gain knowledge of the properties of geospatial data, the factors that affect data quality and data production technologies, including:
  • data collection
  • data capture
  • methods and technologies used to collect georeferenced observations and measurements
• Use quantitative methods to process spatial data for the purpose of making calculations, models and inferences about space, spatial patterns and spatial relationships
• Knowledge and application of analytical and modeling functions of geospatial software
• Become familiar with the historical origins and development of geospatial technology

When I was first applied, I knew I wanted to do geography or science. When I saw all the cool research we have and the testing that we do, I wanted to get out there and do it.

Meredith Johnson, Geography Alum

Our Alumni

Our geography graduates have gone on to a variety of successful careers.