As many of you know, a GIS professional (GISP) certification program has been established in partnership by URISA , AAG , and NSGIC . While this certification is not yet formally recognized by the State of Utah (read strictly optional ), it has been argued that this could be a positive step for folks in the GIS field. Certification or licensure is cited one of 8 key attributes that define a field as a 'Profession' (DL Pugh) and it is the hope of GISCI , the organization formed to administer the GISP program, that certification will foster a core group of GIS professionals committed to the:
ethical application of Geographic Information Science and Technology,
mentoring of young GIS professionals,
further development and promotion of the GIS profession.
If you are interested in becoming certified as a GIS Professional (GISP) keep in mind that the Grandfathering Provision for certification closes December 31, 2008. All applications requesting consideration for Grandfathering must be postmarked by this date.
The Grandfathering Provision is intended for individuals with a long history of GIS experience that may have not had opportunities for formal GIS education. The Provision requires documentation of your Experience only and does not require documentation of GIS-related Education or Professional Activities.
For more information on the GISP, review the documentation at:
The Utah GIS higher education community (including public and private universities, and community colleges) is seeking input from employers across the state on how we can best prepare our students for their careers. If you are involved in the hiring of entry-level GIS employees (past, present, or future), please take 10 minutes to complete this anonymous survey; if not, please pass it along to those who do hire. Your input here will help to shape GIS education in Utah for years to come!
Over the past several years, the Utah State Office of Education, ESRI, AGRC, UGIC, and the Utah GIS Alliance have worked to introduce GIS technology into Utah K-12 classrooms. Spatial reasoning, map-making, geographic awareness, technical skills building can't start early enough, right?
The Utah K-12 GIS Educator Mentoring Program is designed to help K-12 educators link up with GIS professionals in a mentoring relationship.
For more information on becoming a mentor or the search page for educators interested in utilizing a mentor:
Join us in Southern Utah this spring to share your latest successes, learn new skills, connect with the industry, and meet your friends in the Utah GIS community. A special focus this year will be on discussing the strategic plan being developed for the Utah Geospatial Infrastructure, and the roles each of us can play in making the most of geographic information in Utah.
