By Engr. Imran Anees

Recently, I happened to interview a GIS Analyst for some GIS work. I inquired about his approach to calculate a distance between two points with coordinates (x1, y1) and (x2,y2). He showed me ways through attribute tables, measuring tools, Google Earth, GPS and finally a formula: Width = Area / Length… that’s when it really struck me.
I’ve come across many other GIS Graduates and GIS Professionals criticizing the lack of job opportunities amid multi-billion dollar projects like CPEC, renewable Energy, Housing and other infra structure which are under execution in Pakistan. Another point of their debate focuses more specifically on their “GIS Skills” going unnoticed in this modern age of technology and tools.
So, what really is happening? Who is actually responsible here?
GIS started off when it was still an immature, not-very-user-friendly technology, and few people knew how to use it. Publishers and Academia supported early GIS developments. Steadily with time, and with the realization of “Data”, “GUI” and “Usability”, the scope of geospatial data manipulation and visualization flourished. Various organizations began supporting subsets of the GIS Profession. This article, which offers my perspective only, will hopefully provide some understanding of how GIS is treated and, perhaps, provoke some thought in those who began their careers with GIS as well.
Maybe we have lost sight of what actually is the need in the increasingly competitive nature of GIS and its advanced functionality. I may not question the potential and abilities of GIS professionals to address the challenges faced in the industry. I may not even speak for the recruiters and employers. I most certainly do not question the academia. However, I would definitely re-direct their attentions to critically assess themselves.
It seems proper to initiate with a self-analysis. My career jump started as a Survey Engineer, establishing control networks and topographic surveys using Trimble 4000 SSI DGPS. A vital part of myregular workflow was to overlay the survey data on a Landsat ETM Image. Obviously, this could be done by adding a Raster file (Layer Stacked TIFF Image) and processed survey data files (DXF points & polylines) in an ArcGIS document. On the contrary, at that time I was only proficient in AutoCAD and AutoCAD Customization using programming skills in AutoLISP and VBA.
I can still recall the overwhelming excitement the day when I got hold of ArcGIS 8.0 in a CD. The anxiety and giddiness just before installing it in my computer for the first time. The sensation of invincibility rising with the progress of installation whispering that I’ll soon be ready to take on the world. Finally when it was installed, the feeling of confidence skyrocketing like I’ve got this on lock now and nothing can stop me…and suddenly the immediate realization of a black hole …Readers who are proficient in CAD, can realize how difficult and challenging it is for a CAD user to comprehend the GIS environment!
I owe thanks to the magic of “F1”for opening windows of knowledge (standard help CHM files) and Yahoo search (Google was not born yet). I started to learn about ArcGIS. The Spatial Analysis, SQL queries on attribute tables, 3D analysis and cartographic layouts were so interesting, fascinating and motivating to probe more into GIS and this lead to a better understanding and grip on ArcGIS. I gained popularity, slow and steady, among colleagues and coworkers as a GIS Analyst / GIS Specialist.
I applied for the post of GIS Analyst in one of the top ranking Engineering Consulting Firms of Pakistan. This was somewhere back in 2006, and the job advertisement published in newspaper indicated a mandatory degree in GIS and remote sensing for the applicants. I had applied with the shortcoming of a GIS related degree. Surprisingly, I was shortlisted and called for an interview. I managed to get through the interviewers who acknowledged my skills of Geodetic Survey and the proficiency I had in GIS. I got the job with a tailor-fitted designation of a“GIS Engineer”. After 16 months of making ArcGIS layouts, digitization, attribute editing with tedious repetition and no further creative or innovative task at hand to challenge my own ability, I resigned.
With all the due regards, it is seen that monotonous work routines usually tend to create an environment of depression. At times, with office politics, this may even aggravate to frustration. This paves way to kill any initiative, cause a serious decline in the learning graph and eventually becomes obstructive for a flourishing career. When faced with similar circumstances, my priority is usually to clear the atmosphere. This precisely is the reason that lack of consistency exists as another trait in my resume. Nevertheless, a new era dawned after my resignation where I wasn’t limited as an ArcGIS User. I realized there was much more beyond ArcGIS.
Enough said, my initiation to GIS was in the golden age for GIS graduates. Many public and private organizations had started to implement GIS by creating spatial datasets, maintaining geodatabases and developing applications. Obviously, the demand for the ArcGIS users was so high as compared to computer science & IT professionals.
Graduates from space science, geography, mountain research, town planning and other departments were being offered jobs as GIS Analyst, GIS Specialist or a GIS Expert. GIS Education back then was limited to a semi major subject named as Introduction to GIS and Remote Sensing. The course contents of this subject were not beyond the basic understanding and interaction with industry leading products like ESRI, ArcGIS etc. Though not being taught the full range of GIS or remote sensing subjects, it was enough to pursue a career as GIS Professional in industry.
Initially candidates having ArcGIS software experience of 2 to 4 years were considered eligible.
With the passage of time, the eligibility criteria for GIS professionals changed. Hundreds of the GIS professionals were required to be recruited who may hold a Bachelor or a Master’s degree, along with ownership of an android mobile phone with GPS and at least 3.5 mega pixel camera. The advertisement snapshots below show the gradual changes in eligibility criteria as published in local newspapers.
It may be noted here that these jobs were not offered based on regular or long terms contracts rather these were very short term contracts for a couple of months. Apart from the short term contracts, the job description and responsibilities were limited to:
Digitizing the parcels from Google Earth Image
Data entry using Excel
Capturing photos of properties using Android phone
Entering attributes in an android app and editing.
Generating reports based on spatial queries
The above mentioned job description and responsibilities can be considered as a good start for a fresh GIS graduate. However, repeated continuation of such tasks for years gets you nowhere.
Definitely, projects like CPEC, infrastructure, studies regarding climatic change and other mega housing & town planning projects need professionals who can support and strengthen the engineers, architects, urban planners, geologists, hydrologists and geodetic survey professionals. But, let’s be practical here,the factual needs of the time are much more than parcel mapping, attribute editing or colorful layouts. Spatial data scientists & analysts are required nowadays who can work cordially with in various other but specific professional domains.
Property data collection using Android phones is realistically a non-technical task. I cannot consider this as the ultimate role of a GIS professional. GIS professionals should get into Geodetic Surveys where they can work with emerging technologies such as GNSS systems, Drones, 3D scanners, GPR and other latest equipment and software.
Geography is all about the relationships between the geometric objects surrounding us. A spatial sense can easily gather the geometry in everything and everywhere. CAD is a platform where geometry can be understood conceptually to utilize the full potential of GIS abilities. This opens avenues for GIS professionals in the engineering, architecture and construction industry.
3D modeling is again another vast field. It is not only for the graphic designers or CAD operators. There is a lot of stuff for GIS professionals to explore. Unity, Meshlab, Meshmixer, Blender, Revit, Fusion 360 and many more have the scope to indulge which is equally interesting, fascinating and mesmerizing to work.
Almost all degree programs include a course of programming or coding. Currently, C++ is being taught but with the emerging trends I would suggest Python, VBA or Javascript to be included for enhanced usefulness in rather practical fields. Either you are working in ArcGIS or QGIS or any image processing software, python is the best option to start learning programming.
There are several image processing software which can be interesting and explorable by GIS professionals. Matlab was a personal but productive experience while designing filters, processing different bands of images with morphological operators and writing different algorithms to process images. It actually helped me comprehend major image interpretation and image processing tasks done in top ranked image processing packages like ERDAS Imagine, ENVI, PCI Geomatica and others.
Unfortunately, majority of GIS professionals have spent more than a decade in organizations doing very basic tasks. They could not realize the advancements and exponential change of technology. Their skill set is still limited to ArcGIS software.
They could not explore the new industry standards, emerging technologies and software. Undeniably,the academia is dependable to some extent in playing an effective role by revising not only the curriculum but also resources on the basis of market demands. Then again without any exceptions, in my personal opinion, these GIS professionals themselves are responsible since the following options always exist for them to bridge the gap:
Grab opportunities to learn new things.
Expand and improve their typical skill set.
Innovate ideas to compete in the industry.
Propose curriculum updates accordingly in the academia.
Apart from Geodetic Surveys, CAD, 3D modeling, Coding, photogrammetry and image processing as advanced skills, there are many other noteworthy aspects. Technology is changing exponentially and to keep pace with the current trends, nowadays learning is just a click away. What matters most is the dedication an individual exhibits and the zeal and enthusiasm which drives your own life in a natural pattern. Where there is a will, there is always a way … and so in conclusion YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE