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Have you ever wondered if I should get some kind of degree or I'm already beyond "GISP"

BillFox

For example, someone says I'm a GIS editor, layer designer, web app builder, GIS system designer, COGO editor, enterprise windows server admin, enterprise GIS admin, department/agency coordinator, GPS integrator, GIS trainer, etc., etc., etc. - I wonder if I should get some kind of degree or I'm already beyond "GISP"

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clt_cabq

Don't equate getting a GIS certification such as a GISP with getting a degree, these are very different things. For GIS practitioners this is the same difference between getting a degree in Engineering versus becoming a Professional Engineer, they serve different purposes and are separate processes. As for getting a degree, that's always a highly personal decision and depends on what you think you want out of it. If you are considering getting your GISP cert, take a good look at the requirements for that and the testing. I don't know if anyone has started developing any statistics about how critical a GISP is for obtaining work in this field or if there are appreciable benefits such as being able to command a higher salary by the fact of having it, but that might be interesting to research.

JessicaHinz

I've also wondered about the statistics between GIS training levels. I am currently in a GIS position, but I have no formal training. My degree is in biology, I've worked in Natural Resources for 9 years, and I self-taught myself how to incorporate ArcGIS Field Maps into our data collection. Coding comes natural to me, so it was easy to learn, along with tutorials. I can say that I am more capable at using ArcGIS than one of the departmental professionals above me. So, what would having a certificate accomplish?

clt_cabq

I think you come to the GIS discipline like many of us have, sort of a sideways affair that builds on personal interests and abilities, and some opportunities grasped. Getting a GISP certification (not a certificate, as that is/can be a different thing, so we should be clear about that). puts letters after your name, signifying that someone independently has reviewed your knowledge/skills in some fashion and found you acceptable by some measure. In a competitive market, this may mean a lot. It could also mean nothing. At the end of the day, i doubt getting the certification will harm you - there is some time/effort/financial burden it puts on people, but sometimes your organization can help defray some of those, so it could be worth talking to your managers and HR. I wonder if URISA or some other similar organization is looking at this, the whole GISP certification may be new enough that there just aren't good statistics yet.

BrandonA_CDPH

I'm also interested to see what others think on this. Sounds like we have had similar paths into the field. Once in a while I consider something like GISP or one of Esri's technical certifications. Then I wonder what it would actually do for me. I guess I haven't really found a good reason where I am to go through the process of a certification.

BriantFabela

I'd argue that a GISP, as with any professional certification, is just there to let potential employers that you can do GIS. However, it is fairly redundant in my personal experience. The reason being that any firm or government agency hiring GIS professionals will very likely test your knowledge as part of the interview process, regardless of your certifications. If you can prove to them that you know what they need, that should suffice.

That said, if you want to get into GIS and have little to no knowledge, the process of learning and getting the certification will be very beneficial. But if you already know GIS, I'd focus your time and money on learning python/SQL/Arcade, ESRI certifications, or something more advanced like AWS certifications; since those would be far more attractive to a potential employer.

clt_cabq

You're correct I think. A GISP at this point doesn't function in the same as Professional Geologist or Professional Engineer or a Professional Land Surveyor designations. There is no licensing component, and I'm not sure there needs to be. And as of yet I haven't seen the market prioritizing hiring of GISPs over people without that certification. I know I certainly haven't given it a lot of shrift when I've done hiring of GIS staff.

Ksatterfield

The GISP certification is becoming as important, if not more important, than college degrees.

First, college degrees are becoming less important overall. Many job listings now don't require college degrees that used to. The problem with college degrees is that degrees from different colleges are not equivalent. Someone with a GIS degree from MIT will obviously be a much more capable than someone with a GIS degree from a cheap online program. Hiring managers don't have the time or expertise to analyze the different GIS programs that their applicants have attended. Furthermore, students can achieve the same degrees with very different experiences. One student can take the hardest classes, complete internships, and participate in the student government while another student takes the easiest classes possible and those two students can graduate with the same degree.

Employers value the GISP certification because it is a standardized process that is the same for all GISP certificate holders. All GISP's have completed the same amount of education, experience, contributions to the profession, and passed the same comprehensive test.

Also, to earn a GISP you have to have work experience. Work experience is becoming more valuable than college degrees. Someone can sit in their dark bedroom and earn a college degree. To earn a GISP certification, you have to participate in the workforce and GIS community for years.

Currently, there are many more people with a GIS degree than there are GISP certification holders. It seems to me like people with GISP certifications are highly valued in the workforce while there is an over-supply of people with GIS degrees.

I just passed the GISP exam and am well on my way to becoming a GIS administrator or manager. Here are the resources I used to study for the GISP exam...

GISP Study Youtube channel.. GISP Study

Book... The Ultimate GISP Exam Study Guide

theGISguru

There are many high paying GIS manager and GIS administrator positions listed on indeed that require a GISP certification or for the applicant to achieve their GISP certification within 2 years. I recently passed the GISP exam and am 2 months away from achieving my GISP certification. Most of the GIS administrators in the state of Delaware have GISP certifications. This will put me in line for a GIS administrator or manager position when one opens up.

By the way, most of my studying for the GISP exam consisted of listening to this: https://www.youtube.com/@GISPStudy

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