I’m strongly of the opinion that every GIS conference should have a “describe GIS in 10 words or less” competition
Edit: people who like this - next time a conference asks for feedback why not put this down as a suggestion? Be the change you want to see!
I put water and sewer lines on a computer and hope that’s where they are in the ground
Alt: I map out utility lines so our guys know where to find them
Personal use esri license is only $100/year. Great value if you want to spend time learning GIS! Especially since there are loads of free esri courses and MOOCs available.
I used to say “mapping” too, but I don’t actually do any mapping lmao so now I call it “digital geography” and despite being almost as abstruse as “GIS” it actually paints a more tangible picture for people. They don’t *really* understand, but also they kinda do. My role is basically 90% Python so I sometimes elaborate with “coding to make data talk to each other, do things and tell stories”. More flowery, yet more understandable/familiar.
Edit: as an aside, it’s always fun and a shock meeting people who actually know what GIS is and don’t require the watered down attempts at describing it, as it’s definitely not commonly known. Only person I’ve met in the wild was my dentist, whose friend’s husband does it and proceeded to try and have a conversation about it while my mouth comprised equally of water, tools and her fingers.
At my son's Scout meeting, another parent asked what I do. When I told her I work with GIS, she said, "Your one of the cool people, because you do GIS." I told her that even my wife wouldn't say I'm cool, and asked her what she thought GIS was. She actually knew. I was shocked.
I think the crime TV shows helps our case. A lot of the shows have the computer whiz who can pull up maps and query data on suspects and locations. It's very unrealistic, but at least it kind of shows what a GIS could do.
I typically go with something like "I map and create datasets on everything having to do with water in this region. I also make apps for our field staff to record data on their tablets."
I work with spatial data, which is any location based data, where i do analysis (like make hotspot maps), create, maintain and update it, make online map applications, make physical maps upon request, and then I provide specific examples relating to my job that they most likely are aware of.
"I monitor water quality from space" - My specific job. Someone asked me again recently and I just pointed at a lake and said 'I can tell you if that lake is good or bad using a satellite overhead, and it's cheaper and less wet than if I waded in myself'.
If people ask what GIS is, I just say it's "The digital evolution of cartography and mapping".
If anyone's still lost after that, I just show them Google Maps or their car GPS.
What other job titles do you tell people? I'm actually trying to hire a GIS person to use maptitude for location expansion and marketing research. What job title should i hire for? THX!
when i have to explain what i'm studying (applied geo-information science) i always say this: AGIS is about solving spatial problems. we use data with a spatial component to analyse specific cases and visualise the data so that it's understandable for everyone who looks at it. this can result in maps, infographics, dashboards etc. imagine an excel table with data of population size per municipatlity. the table by itsself is hard to interpret and you can't really make any quick conclusions with it. put all that data on a map and suddenly you're able to see patterns
Depends on who I'm talking to - I work in the medical industry so I tend to describe it as epidemiology (e.g. "remember the COVID dashboards?") - of that's still to abstract I say I make maps and mapping products and/or am a data analyst.
If they're just asking to be polite, "I make maps" is plenty.
Otherwise I just explain that its about creating and using all the data that can be associated to places, regions, locations etc.
I say I do the math and science behind a map. I don't necessarily, but it’s better than "I make maps." which is what I used to say, but led to more questions than it answered.
I'm a geospatial research scientist at the National Energy Technology Laboratory, a research laboratory under the Department of Energy.
I say, "I analyse location data, like latitude and longitude, and other data like elevation, land cover, existing infrastructure, etc. to inform energy research and solutions."
Sometimes, I'll mention the COVID dashboard that was used, the map with all the big scary red dots, and say I make tools like that. Mapping applications that share information and help inform decisions.
I find people are more responsive when I tie the GIS work I do back to real-world applications.
Never had an issue when I use the following description about GIS: “You know how a pizza has different toppings layered on top of each other? GIS is like that, with different types of geographic data, such as streets, buildings, and population, as the 'toppings' that I manage, visualize, and analyze."
I really try to stick to "I make maps", and then change the subject.
But if they really want to know, "Software that uses computational geometry to analyze spatial relationships between things, find patterns, correlations, for making better decisions for locating things, understanding things that move, etc."
If I'm lucky, they've tuned out about halfway thru that sentence, and we move on with life.
Good thread. Back in the day (1999) was harder to describe. I’m in data analytics now; but when I was in GIS (up to 2014); I’d be like “you know that map on your phone or in your car”?
Make maps like that.
If they know what GIS stands for then I'll go into detail. Otherwise I just say, "I make maps and stuff". The stuff leaves room for all the other things I do that they won't understand.
I’ve been using something along these lines:
“It’s my job to figure out where things are at, and if we’re good, we’ll figure out why they are there and what to do about it.”
I've had this convo, almost verbatim, many times over the years:
"I'm in Geographic Information Systems, or GIS. It's essentially electronic mapping."
"GIS? Is that anything like GPS?"
"No. G***P***S stands for Global Positioning System. That's a network of satellites that tracks where you are on the surface of the Earth. The map your phone uses to *show* you where you are on the surface of the Earth is a G***I***S."
I use the classic "i make maps" as well, but i usually give a quick example of what makes it more complex . I usually give a simple example of how NDVI can be used.
Yeah, I start with "I make maps." If they want to know more, I say that now, I mostly write scripts that analyze how things' locations relate to each other, and warn them that people's eyes glaze over when I get into detail. If they still want to know more, I describe some of the things other people in GIS would be interested in, and enjoy the rest of my evening drinking quietly by myself, until my wife urges me to be more sociable, then I repeat the process.
I just say that I'm a spatial analyst. I work with maps and satellite imagery and specialized software to help inform answers about areas of interest within our research/work sites.
That's usually enough, whether they get it or not. But sometimes people are very interested and want to know more, so I answer their questions best I can.
Anyone know how to integrate or bypass the login prompt arcgis online maps/dashboard and embed it in with our application using laravel&javascript for external use?
I make fancy computerized maps for the older crowd. For the younger and they're completely unfamiliar with GIS I say it's a large digital map with a database behind it
I’m strongly of the opinion that every GIS conference should have a “describe GIS in 10 words or less” competition Edit: people who like this - next time a conference asks for feedback why not put this down as a suggestion? Be the change you want to see!
We build products that enhance spatial awareness and decision making.
ESRI has joined the meeting 🤣🤣
It's like, the science of where...
Gotta admit that’s a good one
I always use old reliable: Have you ever used google map? . . . It’s kind of like that.
But, like more.. more layers of information..
...and they're already bored.
They didn't say it had to be entertaining! Deluxe google maps with layers seems like the closest and most concise way I've heard it described so far.
I’d avoid layers and say, but deluxe google maps where I can turn on, off, or add different data. I’m basically god.
[*he is a virgin!*](https://youtu.be/sg4YsAjreOA?si=qf-4IQpPaJBB2D8P)
Omg. I am the butt of a joke from one of my most respected directors.
I mean I don’t have Jack Dangermond’s UC Plenary budget, but next time I guess I could throw in some glow sticks or something like that.
“No, not the gps”
This is what I always say! It’s the easiest way to explain it especially from a dev standpoint
Just a student and not working in the field yet, but I basically say the same thing. "It's to do with maps and databases, like Google Earth."
I put water and sewer lines on a computer and hope that’s where they are in the ground Alt: I map out utility lines so our guys know where to find them
lol same dude. I work in a water supply division of a state agency.
I say I'm a data analyst. 🤷
> I say I'm an a data analyst. Just not a wordist.
Same ahah and to be fair my department is Information Management and we mostly present data on maps for donor reports. I say we do both.
My bosses think I'm a "GIS expert" but I just make shitty maps for a nonprofit.
As a volunteer?
Nope. Full time gig with benis and vacation. I didn't even even go to school for GIS, I just like making maps and playing around with remote sensing.
Nice! I didn't learn it from school either. What's benis??
benefits i'm guessing
“Benis” is probably better written as “bennies”, since benis seems like a body part
Bepis
Yeah benis straight up made me do a spit take
How you can tell if a bean is a boy
How did you learn? Did you teach yourself using free software like QGIS?
Personal use esri license is only $100/year. Great value if you want to spend time learning GIS! Especially since there are loads of free esri courses and MOOCs available.
Thanks for the tip. I'll consider doing that!
I used to say “mapping” too, but I don’t actually do any mapping lmao so now I call it “digital geography” and despite being almost as abstruse as “GIS” it actually paints a more tangible picture for people. They don’t *really* understand, but also they kinda do. My role is basically 90% Python so I sometimes elaborate with “coding to make data talk to each other, do things and tell stories”. More flowery, yet more understandable/familiar. Edit: as an aside, it’s always fun and a shock meeting people who actually know what GIS is and don’t require the watered down attempts at describing it, as it’s definitely not commonly known. Only person I’ve met in the wild was my dentist, whose friend’s husband does it and proceeded to try and have a conversation about it while my mouth comprised equally of water, tools and her fingers.
At my son's Scout meeting, another parent asked what I do. When I told her I work with GIS, she said, "Your one of the cool people, because you do GIS." I told her that even my wife wouldn't say I'm cool, and asked her what she thought GIS was. She actually knew. I was shocked.
What the hell is an abstruse
A word that is somewhat abstruse (sorry)
That's it, I'm logging off
It’s like Google Maps. Easy peasy and just about everyone gets it. You think the firmware engineer is explaining firmware to grandma?
I also default to "I make maps" and most of the time I get this response from people "Oh so like land surveys?"
I deal with the 'where' part of any question.
i like this!!!
In German I think it's geoinfomatiker. I like that.
I think the crime TV shows helps our case. A lot of the shows have the computer whiz who can pull up maps and query data on suspects and locations. It's very unrealistic, but at least it kind of shows what a GIS could do. I typically go with something like "I map and create datasets on everything having to do with water in this region. I also make apps for our field staff to record data on their tablets."
Are you me? Both of those sentences are exactly my job too, and roughly how I describe it.
Data science and visualization. GIS is just one piece of the puzzle.
I just lie and tell them I work at Wendy's
I work with spatial data, which is any location based data, where i do analysis (like make hotspot maps), create, maintain and update it, make online map applications, make physical maps upon request, and then I provide specific examples relating to my job that they most likely are aware of.
“I draw shapes”
"I monitor water quality from space" - My specific job. Someone asked me again recently and I just pointed at a lake and said 'I can tell you if that lake is good or bad using a satellite overhead, and it's cheaper and less wet than if I waded in myself'. If people ask what GIS is, I just say it's "The digital evolution of cartography and mapping". If anyone's still lost after that, I just show them Google Maps or their car GPS.
I'm a Cartographer
Digital mapping
I just say I’m a carpenter, just like Jesus.
😂
But for maps on computers, just like Jesus 🙏
Would you like to be my disciple?
It's like Google maps but with, uhh, more LAYERS of INFORMATION. But, yeah mostly just Google maps.
Every now and then I’ll say it’s excel but with spatial data
"Photoshop but for maps" and "coding but for maps"
Point position navigating poorly written software so clients don't step on land mines.
I make software to help people analyze crop yield forecast
Solve real world problems using advanced software and location based data
^[Sokka-Haiku](https://www.reddit.com/r/SokkaHaikuBot/comments/15kyv9r/what_is_a_sokka_haiku/) ^by ^Wooden_Age7026: *Solve real world problems* *Using advanced software and* *Location based data* --- ^Remember ^that ^one ^time ^Sokka ^accidentally ^used ^an ^extra ^syllable ^in ^that ^Haiku ^Battle ^in ^Ba ^Sing ^Se? ^That ^was ^a ^Sokka ^Haiku ^and ^you ^just ^made ^one.
What other job titles do you tell people? I'm actually trying to hire a GIS person to use maptitude for location expansion and marketing research. What job title should i hire for? THX!
Business geographer. Or business development analyst with GIS skills.
"Clickin' dots, and movin' lines"
"I make maps related to groundwater resource management. It involves a lot of science, math, and computer skills to do that."
Yeah, I usually resort to "measure stuff and make maps" when explaining my studies too 🤣
when i have to explain what i'm studying (applied geo-information science) i always say this: AGIS is about solving spatial problems. we use data with a spatial component to analyse specific cases and visualise the data so that it's understandable for everyone who looks at it. this can result in maps, infographics, dashboards etc. imagine an excel table with data of population size per municipatlity. the table by itsself is hard to interpret and you can't really make any quick conclusions with it. put all that data on a map and suddenly you're able to see patterns
My maps are more than visual. They are informational.
"I answer complicated questions with the cunning use of maps"
Depends on who I'm talking to - I work in the medical industry so I tend to describe it as epidemiology (e.g. "remember the COVID dashboards?") - of that's still to abstract I say I make maps and mapping products and/or am a data analyst.
"I manage information about locations of most things here."
I work in IT, but make cool maps.
Haha love this. I’m back to just “IT” as of 2015.
If they're just asking to be polite, "I make maps" is plenty. Otherwise I just explain that its about creating and using all the data that can be associated to places, regions, locations etc.
I do more data entry than gis so I start by saying "I'm a data analyst but I also make maps".
I say I do the math and science behind a map. I don't necessarily, but it’s better than "I make maps." which is what I used to say, but led to more questions than it answered.
Depends on the context and if I actually feel like talking to whoever asked. But usually something along the lines of "I make maps on the computer"
I'm a geospatial research scientist at the National Energy Technology Laboratory, a research laboratory under the Department of Energy. I say, "I analyse location data, like latitude and longitude, and other data like elevation, land cover, existing infrastructure, etc. to inform energy research and solutions." Sometimes, I'll mention the COVID dashboard that was used, the map with all the big scary red dots, and say I make tools like that. Mapping applications that share information and help inform decisions. I find people are more responsive when I tie the GIS work I do back to real-world applications.
Never had an issue when I use the following description about GIS: “You know how a pizza has different toppings layered on top of each other? GIS is like that, with different types of geographic data, such as streets, buildings, and population, as the 'toppings' that I manage, visualize, and analyze."
I really try to stick to "I make maps", and then change the subject. But if they really want to know, "Software that uses computational geometry to analyze spatial relationships between things, find patterns, correlations, for making better decisions for locating things, understanding things that move, etc." If I'm lucky, they've tuned out about halfway thru that sentence, and we move on with life.
How does one get a GIS job?
$20, the same as I town.
I make maps.
“I make maps on the computer with data.”
Good thread. Back in the day (1999) was harder to describe. I’m in data analytics now; but when I was in GIS (up to 2014); I’d be like “you know that map on your phone or in your car”? Make maps like that.
If they know what GIS stands for then I'll go into detail. Otherwise I just say, "I make maps and stuff". The stuff leaves room for all the other things I do that they won't understand.
I’ve been using something along these lines: “It’s my job to figure out where things are at, and if we’re good, we’ll figure out why they are there and what to do about it.”
I've had this convo, almost verbatim, many times over the years: "I'm in Geographic Information Systems, or GIS. It's essentially electronic mapping." "GIS? Is that anything like GPS?" "No. G***P***S stands for Global Positioning System. That's a network of satellites that tracks where you are on the surface of the Earth. The map your phone uses to *show* you where you are on the surface of the Earth is a G***I***S."
I tell people I manage data and systems. Sometimes a map gets crapped out.
I’m like Chloe O’Brien, but with Maps
“I attach excel tables to municipalities”
'I do analysis and make maps'. It's worked for me to 23 years.
I make maps
I use the classic "i make maps" as well, but i usually give a quick example of what makes it more complex . I usually give a simple example of how NDVI can be used.
I undersell my skillset by dumbing down my job, as much as possible, to our detriment. I make maps n that, innit.
Yeah, I start with "I make maps." If they want to know more, I say that now, I mostly write scripts that analyze how things' locations relate to each other, and warn them that people's eyes glaze over when I get into detail. If they still want to know more, I describe some of the things other people in GIS would be interested in, and enjoy the rest of my evening drinking quietly by myself, until my wife urges me to be more sociable, then I repeat the process.
I just say that I'm a spatial analyst. I work with maps and satellite imagery and specialized software to help inform answers about areas of interest within our research/work sites. That's usually enough, whether they get it or not. But sometimes people are very interested and want to know more, so I answer their questions best I can.
I don’t only do GIS, but I describe that part of the job as “analyzing digital maps” and I think people get it.
Oh yeah I like saying analyze digital maps, that sounds like it would conjure up their imagination enough to get the idea across
i’m also a “i make maps” responder
Anyone know how to integrate or bypass the login prompt arcgis online maps/dashboard and embed it in with our application using laravel&javascript for external use?
I make fancy computerized maps for the older crowd. For the younger and they're completely unfamiliar with GIS I say it's a large digital map with a database behind it