Employers
GIS specialists are employed by companies that provides GIS services to companies and organizations in many industries (such as health care, defense, engineering, business, emergency services). They are also employed directly by museums, colleges and universities, and government agencies (such as the National Park Service, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, National Geodetic Survey, Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Forest Service, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, Army Corps of Engineers, and Bureau of Reclamation). GIS software developers who sell big GIS software packages need research and development professionals to create new packages, write manuals, and do other development work; sales and marketing workers; and administrative workers.
Starting Out
Look in GIS trade magazines for job opportunities or check with the career services department of your community college, college, or university. Search the Internet for sites that specialize exclusively in GIS employment opportunities. Those interested in focusing on GIS science most likely will find opportunities with research institutes, colleges, and universities.
- Aeronautical and Aerospace Technicians
- Aerospace Engineers
- Aerospace Medicine Physicians
- Agricultural Scientists
- Arborists
- Astrobiologists
- Astrogeologists
- Astronauts
- Astronomers
- Astrophysicists
- Biologists
- Botanists
- Cartographers
- Chemical Engineers
- Chemists
- Climate Scientists
- Computer Programmers
- Ecologists
- Electrical Engineering Technologists
- Electrical Engineers
- Electronics Engineers
- Engineers
- Environmental Engineers
- Environmental Planners
- Environmental Restoration Planners
- Environmental Scientists
- Environmental Technicians
- Forensic Meteorologists
- Geodetic Surveyors
- Geographers
- Geological Technicians
- Geologists
- Geophysicists
- Geospatial Analytics Specialists
- Geotechnical Engineers
- Geothermal Energy Industry Workers
- Geothermal Production Managers
- Geothermal Technicians
- Groundwater Professionals
- Horticultural Technicians
- Hypersonics Engineers
- Hypersonics Technicians
- Industrial Ecologists
- Laboratory Testing Technicians
- Materials Engineers
- Mechanical Engineers
- Meteorologists
- Molecular and Cellular Biologists
- Naturalists
- Oceanographers
- Paleontologists
- Range Managers
- Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists
- Remote Sensing Technicians
- Rewilders
- Robotics Engineers
- Robotics Technicians
- Soil Conservationists and Technicians
- Soil Scientists
- Space Lawyers
- Space Meteorologist
- Space Pilots
- Space Tourism Managers
- Spacecraft Test Technicians
- Surveying and Mapping Technicians
- Surveyors