GIS v. Web Development

It's a wash - my degree is in economics. Honestly I feel using GIS as an analyst would be pretty interesting. Although I also think web dev would be fun but likely not as much on an enterprise level. I agree with you though, I think WebDev more marketable but GIS probably a bit more interesting once you get to a higher analyst/dev level.

Done both wrote:

What is your current background/skill set for either of these? Do you have a head-start on a career in either or do you have work experience in either field. If it's a wash, web development is more marketable. If you were chosing a bachelors degree, computer science would be a more marketable degree that would allow you to go in a variety of directions. Whereas you could get by with a certificate in GIS. Most people combine GIS with another domain knowledge in their careers (e.g, conservation, resource management, ecology, forestry, geology, etc.). There is a growing area of web-based GIS that combines your two interests.

Great advice thanks. I definitely will be doing a lot of self learning and would love to land a job before finishing a credential. I do feel though that you add reputability to your resume with some sort of credential - gets your foot in the door so to speak.

chyna wrote:

The point of a resume, college degree, or certificates is to show that you know a certain skill. In my opinion, the best way to show you know a skill is not to put it in your skills or certificate section of your resume. You should learn the skill and THEN APPLY IT. So turn your GIS skill into a project. Map something. Model something. Then list it in your "projects" section on your resume.

Lots of people have skills on their resume. Fewer people have examples of applied skills on their resume. Be one of the few.

For example, you could combine both skills (the web dev and the GIS) in one project. Then describe this project on your resume.

bump

enrolled in 2 GIS courses that work towards a certificate or diploma.

Figure I will go the route of official GIS education coupled with web dev self learning (rather than the other way around as it is easier to find great self learning web dev resources online) and aim for GIS developer/analyst jobs.

I graduated with a degree in Computer Science and randomly took a GIS class my Junior year in college for an elective credit and I LOVED IT. I continued with my CS degree because it was too late to turn back and switch my major, however I took extra GIS classes to stay fresh on my knowledge/skills so that I could apply for GIS jobs once my senior year rolled around.

I have a GIS job now and I am 100% positive that I am much happier than I would be if I had a software developer job or a web developer job. I would pursue the GIS career but not without having formal programming experience/education.

Thanks - for me it just seems that GIS can be used in really cool analytical ways across a bunch of industries. I also like the idea of analyzing geo data and coming up with clever solutions to real world problems.

It kind of combines a lot of interests for me.

So right now I am registered for GIS courses and self learning full stack development with focus on JavaScript (my degree is in Economics which won't hurt my job apps but not sure how much it will help)

You're suggesting perhaps formal coursework in web dev as well? Only reason I haven't is I don't want to spread my $ too thin. Is there any way to private message someone on letsrun? Would love to ask a couple more questions - no worries if you are too busy though.

Bra-ket wrote:

career monkey wrote:

I know I would love either so thus hard to decide! If you don't have an aptitude for computers then yes, they would be extremely boring.

Anyone else?

I do have an aptitude for computers. I'm just saying that maps and html/css seem like they would be very dull/dry.

There's a lot more to web development than html/css.

Well, since Apple pulled out of the iPod market.

And most of the digital music players including

Sony's Sony WM1A (a $1500.00 USD - $2,000.00 USD)

Ibasso DX100

Hidizs AP200

Lotoo Paw Gold

Lotoo PAW 5000

Astell&Kern AK 300/380

all of these have no software like iTunes to manipulate

the playlists. What a deplorable condition the state

of digital music players has become. With that said!

There is money to be made, for a programmer who can

design an iTunes like player but can be manipulated

by the user, such as adding format, more accurate dates,

more accurate beats per minute. If you can do this before

you graduate high school, your career is assured.

Good luck, buckaroos.

Yep I know!

software person wrote:

Bra-ket wrote:

I do have an aptitude for computers. I'm just saying that maps and html/css seem like they would be very dull/dry.

There's a lot more to web development than html/css.

When it comes to web design, I love Wordpress for its flexibility. Most of my friends run their websites on Wordpress. I personally use ready-made wordpress templates for my projects. They are pretty customizable and help to build sites just with a few clicks. And this web design resource https://studioblackbelt.com helps me a lot.

You might like data science too.