LISTSERV 16.0 - NEARC-L Archives

From my private sector perspective, we should also keep in mind general IT knowledge and capabilities, and troubleshooting skills. I agree with the statements so far – don’t forget that the infrastructure on which this software sits is getting more complex, presentation apps are getting more complex, and understanding of that is important. I look for these other IT skills in addition to geo knowledge when I interview geo candidates.

Jen

Jennifer Vasi | Information Systems Director | EBIA Technology – Geospatial

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From: Northeast Arc Users Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jarlath P.M. O'Neil-Dunne
Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2016 10:19 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: GIS user data

Learning a major software package may open you up to more jobs, but being good with an obscure package might make you a top candidate for the job you really want. ArcGIS may land you 30 job interviews, but get you no jobs whereas having experience with some rather obscure lidar package will get you one interview and the job.

The most important thing I instill in my students is my general brilliance in the field of geospatial technology. I want them to leave my class thinking “I may not have learned anything, but Jarlath is a genius.” (sarcasm)

Jarlath O’Neil-Dunne

University of Vermont | Spatial Analysis Lab

Twitter: @jarlathond

Blog: http://letters-sal.blogspot.com/

From: Northeast Arc Users Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jessie Braden
Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2016 9:57 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: GIS user data

Leslie, thank you so much for setting up this survey. As an educator, I’m very curious to see the results and I hope you can parse them by industry. I often wonder if gov agencies still strongly prefer ArcGIS whereas a start-up might prefer QGIS, etc. I also agree with Jarlath that things will change rapidly and focusing on one thing is helpful. But, students always ask for guidance in making that choice (ex, we teach both ArcGIS and QGIS here) and I try to help them decide based on their career goals – perhaps this survey will enlighten me on a different approach.

Thank you,

Jessie Braden

Jessie Braden | Director, SAVI

PRATT INSTITUTE

Spatial Analysis and Visualization Initiative

200 Willoughby Avenue | ISC Lower Level | Brooklyn, NY 11205

718.399.4414 | [log in to unmask] | www.pratt.edu/savi

@jessiebraden | @prattsavi

From: Northeast Arc Users Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Pelch, Leslie
Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2016 8:46 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: GIS user data

I agree 100% with Jarlath, but it also occurs to me to ask the members of the listserv Christina’s real question. As an employer – do you care greatly whether a potential employee has geospatial software experience with a particular product or just enough experience to apply their knowledge and learn any product? Since I have gotten in trouble before for asking questions that end up causing too much email traffic…I will make a simple survey monkey to collect some responses…..And then report back the results.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LMD9VCS

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___________________________________

Leslie Pelch, GISP, PMP | Outreach Coordinator

Vermont Center for Geographic Information
1 National Life Dr, Davis Bldg, 6th Floor|Montpelier, VT 05620-0501
802-882-3002
vcgi.vermont.gov

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From: Northeast Arc Users Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jarlath P.M. O'Neil-Dunne
Sent: Wednesday, September 21, 2016 8:17 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: GIS user data

Honestly I don’t think it matters, whatever you teach it will have radically changed in 2-3 years. The software packages have such similar capabilities, the challenge is not overloading students with so many different geospatial solutions that they spend more time learning the buttonology than doing things.

Jarlath O’Neil-Dunne

University of Vermont | Spatial Analysis Lab

Twitter: @jarlathond

Blog: http://letters-sal.blogspot.com/

From: Northeast Arc Users Group <[log in to unmask]> on behalf of Christina Herrick <[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To: Christina Herrick <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at 1:53 PM
To: "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: GIS user data

Hello,

Does anyone know if there are data available (maybe in a past survey) that summarizes GIS use by industry? I know that NH GRANIT conducted a survey 10 years ago about GIS use in the state, but that survey only asked if towns used GIS and how often.

Specifically, I'm interested to know GIS users who use proprietary software such as Esri products, those who use open software like QGIS, and those in between. Industry information would be a bonus-- are you a government employee, non-profit, academic, etc.

This stems from a discussion here on campus regarding students and their attractiveness to future employers based on the types of GIS they're familiar with. We've heard extreme arguments on both sides regarding which GIS is "best". It would be nice to be able to back those opinions with fact.

Thanks everyone

Christina Herrick

Research Scientist

V: 603.862.2639 | F: 603.862.0188

University of New Hampshire

Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space

Earth Systems Research Center

Morse Hall, 8 College Road

Durham, NH 03824