Increased security threats posed by terrorists have made it mandatory for organizations to employ only GIS specialists who have security clearance from the federal intelligence agency. The clearance process from the government might take up to one year. Intelligence agencies working for the government are the ones whose employees are cleared to get GIS licenses. To get a GIS license you must be an American citizen. Thus to get GIS jobs you have to be ready to let personal information be scrutinized. GIS specialists aspiring to move up the ladder should be prepared to let go of their personal lives. The GIS sector receives billions of dollars annually and these go into information technology research for military and defense purposes.
An instrument has been developed by one of the former top psychologist at the federal agency. This scientific instrument is able to inform you whether, if you apply for job security clearance in GIS, you will be successful or not. This scientific instrument is highly successful with above ninety percent success in predicting the outcome of whether your GIS security clearance application will go through or not. This highly specialized instrument was initially developed to grant contractors for government intelligence agencies.
It doesn’t matter whom you work for, be it the government security agency or for a private organization, you have to go through the security clearance procedure. Personal history information as well as contacts and addresses will be required from you. You will be required to sign a form that will authorize private investigators to dig out information about you. The investigation process is very elaborate. Various intelligence agencies across the world will be contacted to gain your personal background.
The data collected from your local area police and your bank are all compiled to form one report. You might further be interviewed by a federal agent to share more light on the information you have given on the questionnaire. The federal intelligence adjudication officer will thereafter analyze your report and make a decision whether you will be granted security clearance or not.
Any person who might be involved in GIS jobs for a longer period of time needs job security clearance on an interval of every five years. Several GIS jobs exist; as long as you obtain job security clearance you can work as a business consultant for various business organizations, for example in retail marketing. GIS jobs in retail marketing involve the analysis of a specific business environment in terms of its market potential, and how relevant the site specifically is. There has to be a direct relationship between customer numbers and potential sales levels. Business organizations need relevant accurate data on various social issues, and GIS jobs can provide this information.
GIS jobs normally organize conferences for their members. These conferences enable members to analyze various changes taking place in the market and how to counter them. Seminars are also organized at these functions. Other than seminars and conferences there are recreational activities that enable participants to participate in team building activities
Education opportunities for advancing your career are available at various universities. Those who would like to advance their careers in geospatial information systems can enroll for graduate programs. Graduate qualifications may make one be recruited into a leadership role. There are professional certificates that will enable one to acquire relevant skills necessary for effective and efficient performance on the job.
For those who have job security clearance, you can apply for several GIS jobs that are being advertised by government Agencies. The responsibilities for a GIS web developer will include development of geographical information systems and their support, and implementation of GIS web services as well as collecting and putting them into codes. A good percentage of the job description includes dealing with software systems and training new employees in the workings of newly developed systems.
Other on job qualifications that may be needed include a degree in information technology or an undergraduate degree, which is Bachelor of Science in computer science.
Conclusion
Most global businesses have passed the growth stage of business and are now on the plateau stage. This has not stopped the business organizations from looking in other growth areas. The information age has provided an avenue for the much needed growth phase. Companies are currently competing on this front. GIS jobs are thus in high demand because they provide businesses with solutions that are accurate and highly relevant. GIS jobs are mostly found in government agencies. This is because there is a lot of information that needs to be processed by government agencies, ranging from social issues to matters of defense. Terrorism complicates matters further.
