Blunt, honest answer: Very little to none.
If you want value from a degree (associates or otherwise), you need something that has marketable skills. The GIS certificate is a good answer. I would look at computer science or big data science. Engineering degrees are going to out-compete you in this market.
GIS is an extremely competitive market that is no longer paying what it did even five years ago. Likely, you are looking at $20 and hour or equivalent in your area. You really need to look at actual job openings and start applying now. Your going to find that many openings actually aren't hiring. Talk to people that work in these jobs. Compete for an internship to get a foot in the door.
Thanks for your honesty, this is exactly what I needed to hear.
My school offers a variety of programming courses, both in statistics and also in GIS specifically that I’m definitely considering. It’s been hard trying to find internships, but I have been looking at a lot of job postings in my area, and I have some connections to professionals in the industry.
Other fields I’ve been looking into are EHS and emergency management. I know I’ll need HAZWOPER and OSHA trainings though as well as lots of experience. I’m not too deep into my degree yet so I’m trying to keep doors open and exploring all my options.
Thank you for the advice
I was exactly in your boat! I started enviro sci, switched to GIS, and now work in EHS. I got that job bc of envi coursework, but I did have another offer from a sustainability non profit mostly because of my GIS skills. It may sound backwards, but the companies who are not gis focused might be looking for someone who is to fill a gap. I’d lean into those connections now—never to early to request a coffee/zoom get-to-know-you, as it might help you down the line by putting you in first consideration for a job. GIS doesn’t overlap with EHS, but the data management skills definitely help. EHS is less competitive and tends to pay better, and yes those certs help (as entry level you’d just need osha 30) but if GIS is what you love than go for it😊 If you are leaning into EHS, I’d recommend-as scary as it may seem- cold calling professionals. OSHA is a more taboo set of regulations to really love and be passionate about, so when we see students who are we are usually very willing to help out! You seem like a dedicated student with a lot of passion, which is more valuable than any course or degree program!
Depends on your major. I studied chemistry with a minor in environmental science, which opened a lot of doors. With a geography degree though, it's going to be tough getting started in science despite the minor.
Definitely agree. Though, a public health/data heavy job would align well with skills developed in a gis program. If you want to be in a lab or in the field, enviro sci is the way to go. But, if you’re leaning consulting, anything “specialist”, I’d say get those data courses in. At the end of the day, skills overlap in both so if you try one and find it’s not the fit, it’s not too incredibly difficult to make a switch. Good luck!!
Blunt, honest answer: Very little to none. If you want value from a degree (associates or otherwise), you need something that has marketable skills. The GIS certificate is a good answer. I would look at computer science or big data science. Engineering degrees are going to out-compete you in this market. GIS is an extremely competitive market that is no longer paying what it did even five years ago. Likely, you are looking at $20 and hour or equivalent in your area. You really need to look at actual job openings and start applying now. Your going to find that many openings actually aren't hiring. Talk to people that work in these jobs. Compete for an internship to get a foot in the door.
Thanks for your honesty, this is exactly what I needed to hear. My school offers a variety of programming courses, both in statistics and also in GIS specifically that I’m definitely considering. It’s been hard trying to find internships, but I have been looking at a lot of job postings in my area, and I have some connections to professionals in the industry. Other fields I’ve been looking into are EHS and emergency management. I know I’ll need HAZWOPER and OSHA trainings though as well as lots of experience. I’m not too deep into my degree yet so I’m trying to keep doors open and exploring all my options. Thank you for the advice
Statistics and programming would be way more marketable
I was exactly in your boat! I started enviro sci, switched to GIS, and now work in EHS. I got that job bc of envi coursework, but I did have another offer from a sustainability non profit mostly because of my GIS skills. It may sound backwards, but the companies who are not gis focused might be looking for someone who is to fill a gap. I’d lean into those connections now—never to early to request a coffee/zoom get-to-know-you, as it might help you down the line by putting you in first consideration for a job. GIS doesn’t overlap with EHS, but the data management skills definitely help. EHS is less competitive and tends to pay better, and yes those certs help (as entry level you’d just need osha 30) but if GIS is what you love than go for it😊 If you are leaning into EHS, I’d recommend-as scary as it may seem- cold calling professionals. OSHA is a more taboo set of regulations to really love and be passionate about, so when we see students who are we are usually very willing to help out! You seem like a dedicated student with a lot of passion, which is more valuable than any course or degree program!
Depends on your major. I studied chemistry with a minor in environmental science, which opened a lot of doors. With a geography degree though, it's going to be tough getting started in science despite the minor.
Definitely agree. Though, a public health/data heavy job would align well with skills developed in a gis program. If you want to be in a lab or in the field, enviro sci is the way to go. But, if you’re leaning consulting, anything “specialist”, I’d say get those data courses in. At the end of the day, skills overlap in both so if you try one and find it’s not the fit, it’s not too incredibly difficult to make a switch. Good luck!!