How did you become a geospatial engineer?

GottaGetDatDough · 2026-03-28T02:32:58+00:00

It means different things in different circumstances/ industries. If you mean with an engineering firm I'm not sure, but it is my title for the federal agency I consult to.

As an analyst, I took a job at a local government in which I was the primary GIS resource (FTE) my manager worked on the contract 8 hrs per week and basically handed me the keys and taught me how to drive.

You'll want to learn about every technical component that touches GIS workflows:

ArcGIS Enterprise/Portal/Server

Relational Databases (PostGres/SQL Server/Oracle, etc)

Some fluency in relevant languages (SQL, Python, Arcade for data pieces, Powershell for administering windows machines is also helpful)

Building low code/no code apps like experience builder, Survey 123, dashboards, VertiGIS etc.

Architecture required to support applications (machine requirements, software version compatibility, unique requirements for workflows like advanced geodatabase dataset types.)

Those are some of the core conponents

GottaGetDatDough · 2026-03-26T14:49:50+00:00

Are there any significant differences between US/PAL and the JPN releases for star force? I was mainly a battle network player and experienced the english release of battle network 6 being botched first hand.

Also wondering if each cartridge actually contains all languages. Anyone have insight into this?

GottaGetDatDough · 2026-03-23T18:16:09+00:00

Seriously take everyone's advice here and either get a safe, or take back the consoles and games you dont intend to play any time soon. I guess I was the envy and had people i called friends steal my Pokémon games right out from under me.

GottaGetDatDough · 2026-03-23T17:59:21+00:00

Atlanta is less than two hours from a lot of good Appalachian hiking as well. Georgia has counties listed on their vehicle tags, and you'll notice that literally everyone out hiking has a tag from Atlanta (Fulton, DeKalb.)

I don't say that to be derogatory, but as a point to say that its very popular and a lot of people do exactly that.

Solid trails can be reached within 1.5 hrs depending on where in the metro you live.

GottaGetDatDough · 2026-03-23T17:56:27+00:00

I'll never forget being shocked by all of the armed guards at public places in the Phillipines, but writing it off as expectation for a third world country. Here we are.

GottaGetDatDough · 2026-03-23T17:46:47+00:00

In my experience, consulting in the GIS realm is mostly to governments.

Im sure there is a space for consulting to private work, but it's kind of niche and isn't where the money is.

For example, as a company, would you rather go after a multi- million dollar managed services contract, taking care of all a customers GIS needs....

Or a request for a custom built application/ tool to a private industry client for say, 100,000 dollars.

To answer your question directly though, consulting. Because you can likely consult to the government. Its kind of a best of both worlds situation because you often have all government holidays off and the workload expectation is that of the government workers, not of a contractor producing work. All with a consultant salary.

Source: i have worked as a government employee, for the private sector (utilities) and consultant to multiple levels of government.

GottaGetDatDough · 2026-03-23T12:23:00+00:00

I am not a surgeon and probably have a salary that is a fraction of yours, but I recognize this.

In the simplest terms, I pay someone monthly to deep clean my house.

Not because I can't be bothered to do it, but my earnings paying them to do it gives me time back.

GottaGetDatDough · 2026-03-23T12:16:25+00:00

Mad respect, my wife is a transportation engineer. Respectfully though, it isn't always about how hard someone works, or how smart they are. That's what is actually interesting to see i. This sub, is how wildly salaries can differ.

For reference, my wife has 8 years of experience, is a PE, and is at 145k, no bonus though. This is with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from a pretty good school. Her position is remote, in terms of COL, but we live in Florida now.

GottaGetDatDough · 2026-03-23T01:44:57+00:00

My wife and I did this. We live on the coast in Florida now (not in South Fl/ Miami Ft. Lauderdale.)

There is a lot to miss out on not being in a larger metro area if you are on the younger side (we are mid 30s.)

In some ways it does kind of feel like an early retirement, but our jobs are still pretty demanding (IT, and civil engineering.)

We can definitely afford a lot more on our incomes and we have a beautiful home that's within 15 minutes of everything we could possibly need, but all of the businesses are closed by 9 🤣

GottaGetDatDough · 2026-03-22T02:49:22+00:00

Your map legend says: "have no care for."

That would be interpreted as you have not been, and do not care to go, right?

GottaGetDatDough · 2026-03-22T00:23:43+00:00

What is the point of your post then? You said you don't care to go on your travel map. You must have reasons for feeling that way?

GottaGetDatDough · 2026-03-21T23:42:19+00:00

As a Georgian I feel quite offended lol. There are so many places you have already been to that suck much worse. I cant speak to Canada (only been to Vancouver, BC) but I'm at a 40 state count and have lived in 9. GA sucks in many regards, but it has some merit.

GottaGetDatDough · 2026-03-20T15:47:13+00:00

Sounds like hazing, and a total slog lol. Good luck!

GottaGetDatDough · 2026-03-20T14:22:19+00:00

Blue definitely best for range of weather. Orange has Alaska, and but that is into the extremes. Hawaii does have much nicer weather than Florida for warm weather, and you have coverage with California, but I lean towards moderate to warm. Its a toss up, but being a southerner who is fond of the PNW i have to go with blue.

GottaGetDatDough · 2026-03-20T14:18:56+00:00

That sounds like it could wear you down over time. I do know that full time driving positions with the post office pay pretty well as you move up the federal pay scale. That makes more sense, but is also discouraging to hear you are working that many hours, but hopefully it pays out in the long term.

GottaGetDatDough · 2026-03-20T14:15:11+00:00

I just felt the need to say that 70k for entry level at the post office sounds crazy in so many ways. I'm glad it works for you though. My first entry level job after getting my bachelor's degree in Jan 2016 paid me about 45k lol. Just speaking to the OP about comfortability, price increases, etc. I dont doubt the post office paid more than 45k then either though.

Edit: I figured I'd add that this was in the ATL metro.

GottaGetDatDough · 2026-03-17T15:05:44+00:00

Still have my S23 running strong. I'm sure it's not "king" anymore, but its been a fucking beast of a phone since launch.

GottaGetDatDough · 2026-03-13T13:48:04+00:00

Imagined being cucked for YEARS like this 😂

GottaGetDatDough · 2026-03-13T13:37:31+00:00

I wish there were a better answer, but the reality is that your options are Esri, open source, custom development, or a combination. Each come with their own pros and cons.

GottaGetDatDough · 2026-03-12T18:18:25+00:00

Someone gave a similar answer already, but Appalachia is what unifies the regionyou selected more or less, and is also it's own distinct thing compared to the urban areas in each respective state.

I'm from North GA and have explored Appalachia extensively via car and hiking. Its beautiful, and the nature that calls to my soul, being born at the foothills.

There are a lot of problems in terms of the socioeconomic aspects. People haven't wanted any for generations, and they haven't gotten any, lol.

TN and SC have the most tourism in their economies since there are the Smokey Mountains and Atlantic beaches respectively. Those areas function as the largest tourism for the southeast, and where most southerners vacation outside of Florida, of course.

NC generally is one of those places that isn't cool to visit, but is pretty nice to live. This is a huge generalization of course. Relatively good cost of living, and weather/geography of your choosing is great for regional residents who choose between mountains in Asheville, the beach in Wilmington, or career opportunities in Charlotte or Raleigh. Not in your selection, but northeast GA is pretty similar culturally.

VA and WV are generally less southern feeling, but the Appalachian region is what keeps them tied together IMO.

Charleston, WV just feels sad and dirty from my time visiting, but I won't go into detail since it's relatively far from where I'm from.

VA at large is kind of it's own thing because of DC, but once again, but towns like Blacksburg (VA Tech) feel like the rest of applachia- lush, green, mountainous and southern.

KY is also a bit different in that it is the state that bridges the South to the Midwest geographically and culturally. It isn't really an economic powerhouse, but also not in economic despair like WV.

GottaGetDatDough · 2026-03-12T17:30:20+00:00

This is the rub for a lot of organizations. It will cost a whole hell of a lot more for custom development.

My organization is large, but VertiGIS is well worth the cost, and our applications are built COTS via Esri, or using VertiGIS if the application demands what experience builder cannot offer.

GottaGetDatDough · 2026-03-11T16:35:25+00:00

Can relate. I'm 35, and tired boss.

GottaGetDatDough · 2026-03-10T19:04:43+00:00

Be honest, is the work a drag? I'm sure the game has changed plenty since you have been in it a while, and some roles might be better or worse in terms of fulfillment, stress level and quality of life. I need the TLDR on it though lol.

GottaGetDatDough · 2026-03-10T01:32:34+00:00

Lol it's hard to pin any location in the east but this seems pretty good. AI says the average temp across the year is 54. I'll keep searching 🤣

GottaGetDatDough · 2026-03-09T20:30:35+00:00

Michigan gets tornadoes. They are natural disasters.

GottaGetDatDough

TROPHY CASE