Advice needed for Jobs and internship opportunities for Geomatics Engineering

[GeoEngg]

.............

[meagicano]

Have you checked out the GIS groups on Linkedin? They will be able to help you more than RFD I think. GoGeomatics is a good starting base - it has almost 1000 members I think.

[GeoEngg]

Yes I did check it but they generally post jobs not internships

[NorthYorker]

For anything GIS-related, the place to be is Alberta. Couple of years ago they were so desperate for GIS analysts, they were ready to pay 60=80K to foreign grads (and, if you don't know how Canadian business works, value of foreign diploma is normally hovering close to zero). There are very few companies in the GTA who are in GIS business.

[GeoEngg]

Do you think, I should apply for GIS internships online or attend some career fairs in Alberta ?

[NorthYorker]

Do you think, I should apply for GIS internships online or attend some career fairs in Alberta ?I have no idea. To tell you the truth, I have very vague picture of GIS market in GTA nowadays. Teranet is still around, as well as Intergraph Consulting. There're several (mostly public) users who need GIS folks to maintain and customize their Arc-, Microstation-, or MapInfo-based apps. MapInfo/PB is half-dead here. Other then that, no idea...

[GeoEngg]

Seems like I am stuck in this field now. Do you guys think, I could prepare myself for Business Analyst , Business Systems Analyst jobs ?
I am good at programming. I know JAVA, C++, FORTRAN, MATLAB, C. I dont wanna end up being an unemployed engineer

[Winkle]

Stantec Consulting Ltd. currently has a descent-sized Mining Group running in Ontario who are literally booming and hiring like crazy. I'd suggest you give that a gander.

[GeoEngg]

Thanks guys, I 'll start applying for internships in december. I will keep all your suggestions in mind

Thanks

[salabanzi]

I'm looking to get into Geomatics. I'm almost finished my Civil engineering diploma and I wanted to take the GIS certificate program at Ryerson. Any have any comments on this certificate program? How's the job market like for GIS in the GTA and in Canada? Thanks!

[nemollc]

I did my first year in computer science but then transfered to Geomatics Engineering in second year for better career opportunities. But recently I realised that the job opportunities would have been better if I would have stayed in computer science majors although it is much easier than Engineering

instead of doing something you liked/were good at you transferred into something you thought would bring you money



My GPA is kinda low as well right now, it is 5.0 on a 9 point scale

because of your executive decision i doubt youl be a successful geomatics engineer as your heart would not be fully into it


I have a very business oriented mind,

i think you answered your own question ;)

[GeoEngg]

I'm looking to get into Geomatics. I'm almost finished my Civil engineering diploma and I wanted to take the GIS certificate program at Ryerson. Any have any comments on this certificate program? How's the job market like for GIS in the GTA and in Canada? Thanks!
Stick to Civil engineering, would be better for you.
GIS job market does not seem that great

[GeoEngg]

instead of doing something you liked/were good at you transferred into something you thought would bring you money




because of your executive decision i doubt youl be a successful geomatics engineer as your heart would not be fully into it



i think you answered your own question ;)

I will make sure that I am successful at it, I know my gpa is low right now but I am determined to work hard and improve it. I still have two more years. I am just bit worried because I am a really ambitious person and all I need is an opportunity, I know its easier to get that in computers. But I love this field and will work to find an opportunity for myself.

[engamaneer]

I completely love Geomatics, but really feel low as I fear that I wont be able to make a good career out of it.

Geomatics is a new discipline and also one of the fastest changing engineering disciplines. I have 12 years in and am blown away at the amount of effort myself and my colleagues have taken to stay "fresh". So IMHO - geomatics is great IF:
a) You like land surveying and want to get your commission. Particularly in Western Canada. Gravy way to make $100k+ but boring as hell. Grades not so important but exams are tough. Demand is high.
b) You like software development for 3D/spatial applications and are good at it. Opportunities at B. Sc. or M. Sc./ M. Eng level. Grades important. You need to be good at what you do. Demand is low in Canada.
c) You like b), are not in love with programming but do enjoy working with amazing spatial technology and sensor collection platforms. Grades not so important as who you know. Demand is ok.
d) You like the field and want to travel. Grades don't really matter. Attitude and the ability not to kill yourself in the field is what does! Demand is high.

The technology has become so developed and the interfaces dumbed down so much that the bulk of the "fun" work is at a tech level now. Just Google "geomatics jobs". Most are for survey techs. Very few companies can afford the new sensor technologies (i.e. mobile mapping, airborne sensors) and even fewer know what to do with them. Remember: Our Canadian market is really quite small. Globally, in markets of higher density, there are more opportunities for tech/software based geo jobs.



Also, what stream of geomatics should I make my career in GIS , remote sensing or as an Analyst (Market/business). My GPA is kinda low as well right now, it is 5.0 on a 9 point scale. I have a very business oriented mind, do you guys think I should take whatever I could get and try really hard for any decent paying job that I could get and then do an MBA after 4-5 years.

Please suggest me, seems like I am kinda lost and very worried about my future

I personally would not go into GIS unless you loved it. I've seen plenty of resumes with a M.Sc. in some earth-sciences that are looking for GIS jobs so competition is fierce and most jobs are tech jobs (so lots of over-qualified people in the market). And GIS is not hard to learn. It, like production CAD, will gradually be outsourced as India/China become more capable and move towards a knowledge economy. Some CDN geomatics companies are already outsourcing overseas with oil and gas and mapping work. If you do want to try it, I would look for a city/municipal district in your area. Or, a utility company.

I've never met someone with a geomatics background actually doing remote sensing work. They do exist but remote sensing typically falls into an application related field (such as forestry, geology, agriculture). Remember, remote sensing is simply a data collection platform. The only big company in Canada doing this I can think of off-hand is McDonald Dettwiler(MDA). They actually make the satellite platforms.

As far as an analyst? I don't know of any geomatics analysts. Vanilla BA's are really common and competition is strong. If you like geo and want to do business apps, trying working as a product manager or in product development/testing, or in sales. Most of those companies are in Europe or the US. A few names with shops in Canada: Trimble, MicroSurvey, Novatel (now part of Leica). They all have private companies who are dealers: Cansel and Brandt are the two big ones.

If I was in your situation, I would try field work. Nothing beats it for work and life experience. It also helps eliminate a whole host of jobs if you don't like...and if you do, well you answered your question and got paid to do it! Some companies out West are: Focus, Altus, McElhanney, Midwest....all land surveying, all with their pros/cons. Engineering/construction: Stantec, PCL, Kiewitt, Ledcor, Fluor, etc.

Good luck!

[GeoEngg]

I am trying for federal govt and city/municipal GIS and geomatics jobs. You are right , land surveying is boring and therefore I prefer doing something interesting.
I am good at Software development but as you said the options for geomatics software dev jobs are less, therefore I will keep applying for federal and city jobs.
I hope I get one after this year.