MapPros! Careers in Geospatial Technologies

Paula Ferrigno

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"There is a lot of untapped potential in most county health departments for geospatial analysis, so a person has to be able to identify what the opportunities are and know what it takes to get there."

"GIS has provided an excellent opportunity for me to challenge and grow my technical skills and to hone in on a specific career path."

"I’ve found it takes time and small steps to introduce GIS to an organization that has never used geospatial technology, so patience is another good trait to have!"

"Spend time learning about what interests you most and then learn how GIS is used in that area."

Data Coordinator - Paula Ferrigno

Field: Public Health
Job Title: GIS/Data Coordinator
Place of Employment: Williamson County & Cities Health District, Community Health Promotion, Georgetown, Texas

What is your current job and what does it entail?

My current title is GIS/Data Coordinator. My primary responsibilities are to manage our web sites, produce community demographic reports, provide data analysis support, and coordinate GIS activities for the organization.

In your day-to-day activities, who are the people that you interact with regularly?

Mainly our Health District staff which includes nurses, division directors, planners, and program coordinators. But I also interact frequently with GIS staff from cities within the county, usually the GIS Manager or GIS Analyst.

For your position, what skills do you need in geospatial technologies?

I was asked to learn GIS when I was hired for this position; I had no previous training or education in geospatial technology. I took one entry level class, and everything else I taught myself. But now I think we would require at least basic technical skills in GIS. For this position it is important for me to know how to geocode, and to have good knowledge of database programs with an understanding of how to manipulate data structures. It is essential for my position to know how to create clean, clear, and accurate maps and to know how to work with outside data in various projections. Very basic GPS skills are necessary.

For your position, what skills outside of geospatial technologies are required?

For a GIS position in public health you need to have a good vision for how geospatial technology can be used to broaden traditional analysis methods in the public health setting. There is a lot of untapped potential in most county health departments for geospatial analysis, so a person has to be able to identify what the opportunities are and know what it takes to get there. Most county health departments do not have large budgets for software, hardware, or training, so the ability to learn on your own and work with limited resources is necessary. Also, I’ve found it takes time and small steps to introduce GIS to an organization that has never used geospatial technology, so patience is another good trait to have!

What was the key factor in your career decision?

Even though I am a Health Educator by training, every professional job I’ve had has involved technical duties. As I took on new positions, I always looked for new challenges. GIS has provided an excellent opportunity for me to challenge and grow my technical skills and to hone in on a specific career path.

What do you like most about your career?

I am still passionate about health, so being able to work with GIS in a public health setting is the best of both worlds.

What do you like least about your career?

Working alone in an organization can be challenging (I am the only GIS staff person right now); I rely a lot on my peers in the county for feedback and support.

What do you do to relax?

Jog, walk my dogs, work in the garden, and read.

Who are your heroes/heroines?

Individuals who live their lives with purpose, and are unwavering in their values and faith.

What advice would you give a high school student who expressed an interest in pursuing a career in your field?

Spend time learning what interests you most and then learn how GIS is used in that area. Also, make the effort to gain some Information Technology (IT) skills. Your IT staff will be important to you, and having some IT knowledge under your belt makes you more marketable and more effective in an organization.

Are career opportunities in your field increasing or decreasing and why?

I haven’t seen progress in leaps and bounds for GIS and public health. It is still tough to locate other county-level health departments that have benchmark GIS programs, so I assume that positions at that level are also hard to find. There should be more opportunity at a state-level health department but even then I would guess that the number of staff is still small.

Salary Range: $25-40,000

Degree Major Institution

B.S.

Community Health Education

Texas A&M University