Could I get a GIS job after completing a GIS certificate?

	Could I get a GIS job after completing a GIS certificate? It's at a university in the evening and it's a year's worth of credits. I already have an economics degree but I don't have a good job. I notice that the GIS jobs with local governments are well-paid and that there is supposed to be an increasing demand for specialists. Does it involve a lot of programming? Would it be hard to do? Asked By: 8 - 10/8/2008

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Hi, I have an undergrad in Geography, and I decided to follow that up with a GIS certificate. It was a full year (3 semesters) and it was pretty intense. I took the programming option, so I had 3 courses on it, and 3 database courses...there were also some web-programming courses, remote sensing, cartography, graphic design, statistics, gis courses and surveying. At times it was challenging, but it really just takes patience and practice, it was a lot of work, but my mind wasn't blown or anything. So, I learnt a lot, and when I was finished I had like 3 interviews right off the bat, and I didn't score a permanent job, but I was on contract for the government, I was doing label placement on election maps, then i scored another temp job with another gov't dept, and then another temp job with hydro, and then another temp job with navcan and then I finally scored a permanent job with transport can. So, I was basically swimming around in temp jobs for 2 years before I landed this one. I mean, my resume is loaded with all kinds of different experience and that's a huge plus, but it was irritating not having a permanent job. The longest I was unemployed for was 3 weeks, and all of my jobs paid over $18 (i was paid more at each new job bc of my previous experience) But it's all based on where you live...or if you are willing to relocate. I had my heart set on living in Ottawa, so I was persistent. If you were in Alberta, then you are set. And there are all kinds of communities looking for GIS Techs, or specialists. In my experience, when working for gov't or a community, you won't have to do any programming bc they have programmers on site. Programming on your resume obviously helps, but I dont think it is essential for a GIS tech. I was offered a temp job at elections for a gis customization job and it paid 60K/year. Programmers make more, and programming isn't that bad...it's database programming that is craaazy. Anyway, I would recommend the course, or atleast some courses. Just look at a few GIS jobs posted out there and look at the requirements, if the job looks good just make sure that the certification course you are looking into taking, offers training on most of the programs/skills you would need for that job. here are some sites where i used to look for jobs www.eluta.ca www.geomaticscanada.com http://www.gisuser.com/component/option,com_jobline/Itemid,132/ anyway, best of luck :) Answered By: Xt - 10/9/2008

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It may get your foot in the door but a few university geography credits in say urban, land use and human geography wouldn't hurt. Answered By: gwens18a - 10/9/2008

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