Justin Berg wrote:

Im so glad I found this website and topic! Since it pertains to me as a GIS student. I just Moved to Bozeman with 71.50 Credits in Natural Resources Management looking to transfer into MSU's GIS or Water Resources program next year. While Attending the University of Minnesota I took the basic GIS, and GIS Applications where we explored different analysis extensions, and put them to use in "real world" problems. But like most of you have stated I still feel like I lack the knowledge expected to be seriously considered for any position requiring GIS. For that reason I continue to use ArcGIS on my personal computer even though I am not in school at the moment. My recent project has been using data from MT Clearing house to show streams with fish species affected by dewatering, and trying to relate that to land use in Gallatin County. Im sure sounds pretty basic but it helps me learn. Is there any other thoughts on how I can continue to improve my GIS knowledge while Im not in school? Also any thoughts on finding an internship/job using GIS would be appreciated as well! Thanks for your time folks.   Justin Berg    Berg1520@umn.edu

 Hi Justin,

Glad you found this topic to be useful. An internship if you can find one is a good idea. Volunteering with a non-profit may also be useful. The trick is to be able to have access to the software and do some GIS work. I believe you can't use a student licensed software copy to make any money so that's something to keep in mind if you work for pay for an organization that doesn't have their own licenses.

Make your way to the Training page of the MAGIP website (Our GIS community>Training) for more ideas on self-serve training. On that page under Personal Assistance, click through to request free membership to the MAGIP list serve (third bullet item in that section). Sometimes jobs/internships are sent out to the list. You also could send a message yourself about what you are looking for (once you are a member of the list). I would also plan to attend the MAGIP conferences and sessions--the first three bullet's under Instructor Led Training on that Training page as well.

Good luck!

Diane 

The compiled results of the August 2010 Montana State University workshop panel that discussed what undergraduate students should be able to do after having had an introductory GIS or remote sensing course is available at the link below:

 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/gis/outcomes.html