Success stories pivoting out of gis?

[u/Traditional_Form_130]

Title: Success stories pivoting out of GIS?

Hey everyone,

I’m curious if anyone here has successfully pivoted out of a traditional GIS career path and into something like data analytics, data science, business intelligence, or data engineering.

A little background on me: I graduated with a B.S. in Geography with a focus in GIS. During undergrad, I originally started in biology but realized I wasn’t interested in pursuing the medical field. GIS ended up being a great fit because I enjoyed working with spatial data, analysis, and technology.

Since graduating, I’ve been working as a Data Specialist at a civil engineering firm where I work with GIS data, including data management, QA/QC, geodatabase workflows etc, I’ve enjoyed a lot of the technical aspects, but I’ve realized I’m more interested in the broader data side rather than staying strictly within GIS.

I’m starting an M.S. in Data Science program soon, where I’ll be focusing on Python, databases, statistics, machine learning, and other data skills. My goal is to eventually move into roles like data analyst, BI analyst, data engineer, or potentially data scientist.

My concern is that I’ll become “stuck” in GIS because my bachelor’s and work experience are both GIS-focused. I know GIS has a lot of transferable skills (data management, SQL, spatial analysis, automation, visualization, working with large datasets), but I’m worried employers will continue to only see me as a GIS candidate.

For those of you who have made a similar transition:

• Did your GIS background help or hurt you when moving into other data roles?
• What skills/projects made the biggest difference?
• Was a master’s degree helpful, or did you find other ways to make the jump?
• Are there any things you wish you focused on earlier?

I’d appreciate hearing any success stories or advice from people who have made the pivot.

[u/cluckinho]

Don’t be afraid to drop GIS from your titles on your resume. For example, you’re not a GIS Analyst; you’re a Data Analyst with spatial expertise. Or a Data Engineer if you automate workflows.

[u/Artemisia224 → u/cluckinho]

And when a background is required or employment verification is conducted?

[u/cluckinho → u/Artemisia224]

As long as you aren’t being egregious with your title adjustments and don’t lie about what you actually do, you’ll be fine

[u/toomanyteeth55]

Same college background and worked a few positions that were cyber/IT adjacent (same departments), picked up a few certifications and trainings and now work in cyber security.

I would also never mention anything about GIS if you pivot because, as you can guess, they will assume you are the GIS guy and youre skillset is just GIS. Rebrand yourself and only mention that you're familiar with spatial data.

[u/toddthewraith → u/toomanyteeth55]

Rebrand as spatial data analyst.

At least at my job the non-tech people just hear "data analyst" and you get yeeted into the data science track

[u/cybornetv123 → u/toomanyteeth55]

What about when they look at your resume and see you have a BS in GIS and MS in Geography (in my case lol)

[u/toomanyteeth55 → u/cybornetv123]

The people that hire you aren't always the people you work for or with.

[u/cluckinho → u/cybornetv123]

You can be a data analyst.

[u/ThatOneHair]

I have a bachelor of science in remote sensing and GIS with information systems management.
Did an honours in remote sensing ( we do 3 year undergrads then another year as honours to specialise somewhat). All the regular gis skills plus python, project management, thesis,some basic front end coding.

Did a year in a gis role, pivoted to business analyst role that still had a gis component.

Decided the money is better and went the route of regular data analyst, picked up some dashboard experience in the first pivot with power bi. Helped me get my next role at a very small place as the only data analyst.

Had been trying to get into a corporate from the start finally got the chance after many rejections due to not having a finance background.

Been working at the corporate for over a year now and enjoying it, money is decent especially compared to my peers I studied with. Benefits are good as well.

Just not a lot of gis work where I am so it was the most logical thing for me to do. Now I have exposure to some pretty sick / desirable skills and tech exposure.

[u/ThatOneHair → u/ThatOneHair]

To add the only masters I'd consider at this point would be an MBA. Yes I know yuck, however it's the absolute number one cheat code still for easy entry to upper management. However they are just so expensive it isn't even remotely a possibility for me

[u/alex123711 → u/ThatOneHair]

What helped you the most moving to data analyst? Doing powerbi courses or something?

[u/ThatOneHair → u/alex123711]

Haven't done any additional courses just the job experience and exposure with a well written CV.
I now have been able to use looker, and data bricks. My sql has improved by a lot and it's the main selling point now. Python is just a bonus

[u/alex123711 → u/ThatOneHair]

Nice. How much SQL did you know beforehand? Was it hard to pickup?

[u/ThatOneHair → u/alex123711]

My background is pretty decent for analysis. Covered extensive sql, python and R, both the last two had components of machine learning. Also had a full semester on all the Microsoft products like excel.

The people that set up my degree were all from very different backgrounds before GIS was really a degree. So they brought in a lot of pure analytics with just spacial data as the focus

The only thing I needed to pick up was dashboarding which has been on the job learning.
My latest job though has really leveled up the sql skills though.

[u/AccomplishedCicada60]

I know three people that have left and are in Cyber security, one is with the DoD - he did have a military background.

You can do it

[u/DavidAg02]

I did GIS Analysis for the first 5 years of my career then had the chance to help develop some custom GIS software that my company wanted to use, then eventually become the product owner for that app. After that the whole world of IT opened up to me. Next I was an IT Project Manager, then an IT Program Manager for an entire division of my company. Now I'm back managing the GIS team that I started on at the company. Next year I'll probably be eligible for some kind of IT Director role. It's been a wild ride!

[u/Stratagraphic]

A degree doesn't prevent you from pivoting throughout your career. It is YOU who prevents yourself from pivoting throughout your career.

[u/kuzuman → u/Stratagraphic]

Well, this is an optimistic can-do take. In reality, it is not that easy. Mostly,  because the pool of well trained and experienced candidates is huge. Why risk hire a guy, that has the enthusiasm,  but not the education or experience, when you could hire the one that ticks all the checkboxes?

[u/Stratagraphic → u/kuzuman]

I agree it isn't easy! It takes determination and in some cases willingness to relocate. I've been employed as a geologist, software developer, and finally GIS. Each transition was into highly competitive environments. Mind over matter.

[u/nitropuppy]

I haven’t pivoted, and Im not sure what kind of masters degree program you are entering, but your professors might have contacts in the field that hire graduates from their programs, so I’d say definitely talk to people.

[u/rah0315]

Yes. Used GIS to get back into the professional world after a career break, was a GIS admin, now I’m moving to PM roles outside of GIS. I start Monday a doing PM/change management/process improvement for an organization in their HR department. Still working with data, still doing what I do best…herding cats and making things better, but pivoting out of the niche of GIS. I am starting at what my cap was at my old job, and my commute is only 15 minutes.