Education · 1 of 5

The path

Short and flexible. Most people are working within two to four years of high school.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 11 and 12

   Geography, statistics and any computer class. Start making maps of things you care about, because that becomes your portfolio.

2. 2

   Certificate or degree

   2 to 4 years

   A one to two year community college certificate in GIS (geographic information systems), or a four-year degree in geography, environmental science, planning or computer science.

3. 3

   Internship

   City and county offices take student interns constantly. This is how most people get their first real job.

4. 4

   First job as a technician

   Digitizing, editing data, fixing addresses, making map products to order. Unglamorous and the fastest way to learn.

5. 5

   Analyst, then certification

   4 years in

   After about four years of experience you can apply for the GISP (the certified geographic information systems professional credential) through the GIS Certification Institute.