Career Counseling Guide on Scope of Remote Sensing/Geo-informatics/GIS in Pakistan and Abroad-Introduction, Geographic Information Systems Core Topics, Programs, Benefits, Job Options, Pay & Required Abilities
Today we shall guide you in detail about GIS and its career scope. GIS is the abbreviation of Geographic Information Systems. GIS is a business information management system that helps capture, analyze and present special information on a map. GIS helps us in taking better decisions using geography. Complex analysis are made simple and decisions become clear.
Career & Scope of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Degrees, Subjects, Uses, Jobs
Implications of Geographic Information Systems
Daily unlimited decisions are powered by GIS. Businessman use GIS to locate best locations for their outlets and stock items that local customers need. It helps us in fight against global warming. Law enforcement agencies use GIS to discover pattern in criminal activities and plan operations much more strategically. Digital maps are created with the help of Geographic Information Systems. It helps the education department for opening right number of schools at right locations. Electricity department use this technology to respond promptly and efficiently to the power breakage. Resulting patterns and trends can be seen on digital maps much easier than the data on spreadsheets. We can analyze geographical data using GIS tools and can visualize geographical data as maps, graphs and pie charts. Patterns and trends can easily be identified. In short GIS tools can be applied in unlimited fields for getting better results.
Degrees & Core Subjects in GIS
Four years BS and 2 years MSc programs are generally offered in this field. In Pakistan KIU, GCUF, PU Lahore and UOG are offering undergraduate and graduate programs in this area. Syllabus of these universities also differs with each other. Generally Principles of Geographic Information Systems, Geo-Statistics, Principles & Rules of Data Acquisition, Geo-Information Management, Principles of Remote Sensing, Projection and Coordinate System, Geographic Information Systems Data Model, Spatial Analysis, Global Positioning Systems or GPS, Spatial Data Visualization, Digital Image Processing, Database Design and Management, Research Design and Project Management in Geographic Information Systems, Geographic Information Systems Programming, Land Information System, Spatial decision Support System, Geographic Information Systems Application for City Planning and Management and Spatial Data Infrastructure subjects are taught in a typical GIS program.Students also have to submit a project before the final exam.
Career & Job Prospects in The Field of GIS
You can find jobs in air force, law enforcement agencies, agriculture research centers, architectural firms, meteorological department, natural resource management department, tech firms, municipal corporations, Suparco, NASA, Google Map, IT companies, multinational companies, urban planning and development department, aviation companies and environment department. You may also work as GIS Web developer. There are many other options too as GIS tools are now being used in almost all walks of life.
Salary
GIS experts are paid heavy salaries round the globe. Even in Pakistan a fresher starts its job with the salary of at least Rs/-100000. Experienced GIS analysts can earn up 0.5 million rupees per month.
Qualities Required
You must have good analytical skills as in this field you will have to analyze the data minutely for preparing and updating digital maps. You must have interest in data sciences, geography and computer science. Good coordination and managerial skills will help you in working with different teams. Multitasking abilities are must for individual who want to join this dynamic field of modern science. You will have to monitor multiple computers at the same time. You may also be asked to visit the mapping sites for collecting any first hand real time information. Mind power is more required in this field than physical work. Last but not least you need to keep yourself updated about new developments, GIS tools and research.
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