Archive for the ‘candidates’ Category

PPCC Interactive Workshop on Spatial Technologies

Wednesday, November 10th, 2010

Rampart Range Campus

In an effort to support and promote the inclusion of geospatial applications in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in Colorado, the Colorado Community College System (CCCS), Pikes Peak Community College, and UCCS offered a free one-day interactive Workshop on Spatial Technologies for Career and Technical Education at the PPCC Rampart Range Campus on November 5th 2010.

Spatial technology is found in numerous career fields and career paths. Geographic Information Science involves the use of various cutting-edge computer-aided technologies in areas that include social media technology, mobile media technology, manufacturing, medicine, communications, planning and agriculture not to mention national, state and local government operations.  It represents a commercially viable area in which employers require a steady supply of well-qualified, technically able, and skilled practitioners.

Demand for geospatial technicians in the United States and many other world regions is growing faster than the pool of qualified candidates.  As a result, two-year colleges are partnering with high schools in designing spatial technology career pathways that lead students through well-planned secondary course sequences and into articulated two-year postsecondary programs.  The creation of this secondary-to-postsecondary “pipeline” of students is critical to the success of producing enough qualified technicians to meet industry needs.

Discussion

GeoSearch, Inc. participated on a panel discussion titled “The Importance of Geospatial Technology for Your Future”.  Will Mast, a PPCC professor and geospatial consultant, launched the discussion demonstrating how his spatial background has aided his career working with remote sensing technology and GIS software analysis.  Jessica Smith, a student at the University of Colorado at Colorado Spring, described her interest in the GIS program and her internship at Sanborn mapping company.  She explained that what she does is in demand and that employers are eager to connect with her when she graduates.  Richard Serby, President of GeoSearch, Inc. detailed the importance of the Department of Labor’s 2010 decision to recognize geospatial technologies as an industry.  Christopher Markuson, a GIS Manager for Pueblo County, described all the challenging and interesting career opportunities that a geospatial background can provide.

For more information on these programs visit www.ppcc.edu

Posted in candidates, Employers, Employment Situation, GIS, talent | No Comments »

Geospatial Jobs and the 2010 Economy

Friday, January 15th, 2010

On January 28th Directions Media will host a Geospatial Jobs and the 2010 Economy Webinar from 12 to 1 pm Eastern Standard Time.  Mike Agron will moderate and speakers include our own Rich Serby of GeoSearch, David DiBiase from Penn State University, Jennifer Swift from the University of Southern California and Michael Gould of ESRI.

How do the current economic realities impact jobs? Where are the jobs? Which jobs are ‘hot’ and what is the current demand for specific job titles, skills and experience? What are the current educational requirements to land these jobs? This webinar addresses these topics and more. If you have experienced a change in your employment status during this difficult economic period or trying to prepare for the prospect of a entering a difficult job market, this webinar is for you.  Register Here!

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GIS Career Night at the Tivoli Center, Denver CO

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

Yesterday, the associations of GIS professionals Rocky Mountain Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA), Rocky Mountain Region of American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) and Rocky Mountain Geographic Information Technology Association (GITA) held a GIS CAREER NIGHT at the the Tivoli Student Union which serves as a hub of student activity for the Community College of Denver, Metropolitan State College of Denver and University of Colorado Denver.

The GITA Rocky Mountain Chapter Board of Directors representative Natalie Cutsforth kicked things off with a presentation overview of the Geospatial Information and Technology Association.   GITA is an information resource and community for anyone who has a vested interest in the use of geospatial information.  The organization provides excellent networking opportunities for geospatial job seekers.

That presentation was followed with an overview of ASPRS by  Ms. Linda E. Meyer, the ASPRS Rocky Mountain Region Treasurer.  She highlighted their mission to promote the responsible applications of photogrammetry, remote sensing, GIS, and supporting geotechnologies and explained the advantages of membership.  She also mentioned that her company GeoEye is growing and that hiring activity is up.

Tony Palizzi, the current URISA Rocky Mountain Chapter president, presented the URISA briefing and moderated the distinguished panel, which included Linda Meyer of GeoEye, Pamela Fromhertz of NOAA, and Richard Serby of GeoSearch.

Those in attendance included employees of the Census Bureau, DOT, Metro State, DU, and Inergraph.  There were professional land surveyors, oil and gas technicians, land use GIS, Regional Council of Government members, LiDAR professionals, and dozens of former, current, and future students.  The crowd numbered about 50.  Last year totaled over 150.

Lengthy discussions ensued on numerous topics.  The first discussion revolved around the geospatial career outlook.  Richard Serby went over the national unemployment numbers from last year, this year, and the best of years.  Colorado unemployment numbers have been better than the national numbers but that isn’t to say that the local economy hasn’t suffered.  “Let’s talk about the good news.” he said, “I’m done talking about the bad news.”  The good news is that companies, agencies, and the federal government have started to add staff.  “It will be a long road to reach the optimal unemployment number of 5%.” he said.  But now that demand for geospatial applications  is on the rise, more jobs need to be filled and that is chipping away at the 10% unemployment number where we currently sit.

Several questions on internships followed.  Most of the panel agreed that for students that need to gain experience, an internship can be invaluable.  Tips to negotiate a paid internship were discussed and the value of an unpaid internship is not to be overlooked for getting your foot in the door.  Many colleges are helping students make this happen.  To see more on this topic read:The First Rung of the Ladder… Many on the panel started their geospatial career with a paid internship.

Before the networking session the topics included citizenship, clearances, overqualified objections, the new energy economy, and networking your way into the seat that you want.  We hope to network with you at this event next year!  If you attended, we would love your feedback.

Posted in candidates, Employers, Employment Situation, Energy, GIS, Uncategorized | No Comments »

The First Rung of the Ladder…

Thursday, November 12th, 2009

This blog has been following the geospatial career market. Most current indicators point to great demand for an increasing number of geospatial related services in dozens of markets from smart grid technologies, location intelligence, and mobile applications to name a few. Job seekers will tackle the overall employment increase by stepping on many different rungs of the corporate ladder.

Now, there is good news for those that need to start on the first rung of the ladder. The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded a grant to The Pikes Peak Community College Geography Department in August of 2009. This pilot program seeks to implement a Tiered Internship Model for Students in Geospatial Technology (TIMSGeoTech). Interns that have an interest in starting a geospatial career can participate in this program and create a network of contacts while gaining school credit.

The funding of $149,542 will sustain the program from this year through the summer 2011. Under-represented groups will benifet from TIMSGeoTech through outreach to workforce development offices, by providing resources to unemployed and underemployed individuals. The PPCC GIS Advisory Board, made up of Colorado industry professionals starting with Donna Arkowski, the PPCC Geography Department chair, and Dr. Irina Kopteva, principal investigator for the project and adjunct Geography and GIS instructor. The work is supported by Mary-Ann Wermers, dean of Health, Environmental, Natural & Physical Sciences; Jennifer Jirous, Colorado Community College System; Jason San Souci, executive vice president and chief operating officer of NCDC Imaging & Mapping; Richard Serby, president and owner of GeoSearch, Inc.; Jay Tilley, senior vice president and general manager of Sanborn, Inc.; Cynthia Pesek, director for Career and Technical Education at Academy School District 20; Patressa Gardner, South Carolina Advanced Technological Education (SC ATE) Center; and Dr. Phillip Davis, National Geospatial Technology (GeoTech) Center.

The results of TIMSGeoTech will provide many opportunities for programming students. There are always geospatial jobs for candidates using VB, Java, Python, html, xml, ESRI’s map objects, and other programs that integrate provide digital map development, spatial data management, application development, data migration, and more. GIS is a rapidly changing and developing industry.

To step on the first rung of the ladder in this industry, a GIS certificate and AAS degree, along with a full retinue of GIS coursework is a great place to start.

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It’s an Employers’ Market. Ugh!

Wednesday, August 5th, 2009

The Bureau of Labor Statistics is scheduled to release The Employment Situation for July 2009 on August 7th and the weekly jobless claims data is expected to show further decline giving those few organizations that are adding staff more confidence than ever to throw professionalism out the window.

Remember how employers had to behave during the dot com bull market when employee’s were hard to find? Organizations across the country decided to develop an action plan for ethical practices in the hiring process when one was not already in place. This quick feedback and consistent communication made most transactions pleasant or at least polite.

Now that corporate America is flooded with resumes and operates in an environment of government audits and OFCCP compliance on their hiring practices, the trend of hiring one select candidate and treating the rest of the candidate pool with only the minimum amount of respect required by the federal government will continue.

One recent example includes a fortune 100 company that asked a select candidate pool to complete exhausting screening application where successful applicants were invited for an hour plus teleconference interview. So far, so good. The top two candidates were then invited for an on-sight interview with the hire manager and other staff. This too is in-line with a professional process. However, this was a four hour interview. After both of the four hour interviews, neither candidate was selected, the organization re-posted the position, and failed to return phone calls or emails from the original candidates! Five weeks later, the organization delivered an electronic notification that the position had been filled.

Forward looking organizations that recognize the long term value of professional business communication with respect to adding staff will be rewarded when the resume flood dries up. However, growing federal contractors don’t follow that type of thinking. They have secure contracts 5, 7, even 10 years down the road and they have them with option years too. Yet, hiring organizations that act with arrogance and blatant disrespect, just because they happen to be growing in this down marked, would benefit from some sole searching and a small dose of modesty.

On the other hand, I congratulate organizations that have implemented traditional practices of explaining their decisions to top candidates and leaving doors open for the future. After all, the candidates that aren’t a perfect fit today may very well be the perfect fit tomorrow.

I mean, I get it… It is an Employers’ Market. But companies that act like it’s a candidates market, will win when the tables turn. The tables always turn. They always have.

Posted in candidates, Employers, Employment Situation, fortune 100, interview, jobless | No Comments »