What skills are needed to be a successful GIS professional? Broken down by category, listed here is an in progress list of all the skills a GIS professional may be required to have. Provide your input on essential skills in the comment section below.
Cartography
Map Elements
- Know all the components of a map layout. See: What’s in a Map?
- Cartographic Design. See: Principles of Cartographic Design
Spatial Analysis
Data
- Understanding of vector and raster GIS data types. See: Geodatabases Explored – Vector and Raster Data
- Ability to create and modify geographic data from a variety of source such as text files, hard-copy maps, GPS data, and field notes.
- Ability to translate or convert data from external GIS file types. For example, the ability to import KML files into Esri’s Shapefile format.
- Ability to perform research in order to find and download external GIS data.
- Understanding and ability to prepare metadata.
Database Management
- Relational Database Management
- Structured Query Language
Equipment
- Ability to operate GIS related hardware and associated peripheral devices such as GPS units, plotters, digitizers, and scanners.
General Skills
- Basic understanding of Microsoft Windows operating system and ability to use standard office software (e.g. word processing, spreadsheet, presentation software).
- Proper use of grammar and spelling. Oral and written language skills.
- Ability to work independently.
- Understanding of how to seek out peer support to answer technical questions.
Programming and Scripting Languages
- Knowledge of Python
- Ability to script repetitive tasks
Software
Web Technologies
- Web Servers
Hi,
I am working as a GIS developer in India.
Following is the list of skills that are normally required in the GIS service industry in India. They should more or less apply anywhere in the world.
1. GIS package knowledge (ESRI dominates in most cases)
2. Knowledge of development framework of the package (ArcObjects for ESRI)
3. Support programming language by the package/framework (Java/.Net & any COM compliant language in case it’s ESRI)
4. SQL basics (just enough to connect and query/update a database)
5. Knowledge of any other package/framework is always helpful.
Regards
Ujjwal Nigam
+91 – 9923810054