If the map-lovers and geo-geeks in your life have an extra spring in their step this morning, it’s because GIS day is finally here!!!! No, you probably can’t get out of class or work on this holiday but there’s still a lot to get excited about, including:
1. Jobs – developing GIS and spatial literacy skills can help you get a job.
The geospatial industry and market for it continue to expand at a phenomenal rate. The latest Dept. of Labor statistics show more than 850,000 current geospatial workers with an additional 350,000 needed by 2018 (from GeoTechCenter.org)
Because the uses for geospatial technology are so widespread and diverse, the market is growing at an annual rate of almost 35 percent, with the commercial subsection of the market expanding at the rate of 100 percent each year. (from U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment & Training Administration website)
2. Cake – GIS day means…. cake! Last year was an orthophoto cake. This year the cake has gone inter-galactic. Want to eat a slice of the globe cake? It’ll be served up at noon near the central staircase in the library.
3. Geo-geek humor – That’s right, GIS Day is also a celebration of the collective, colossal geekiness of the people all over the world who do GIS. Last year’s GIS Day brought us a GIS-inspired cover version of Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ ‘Empire State of Mind.’
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mCDUf08YLg
This year is a cartoon on what your favorite map projection says about you.
