Why a GIST Degree?

The U.S. Department of Labor identified geotechnology as one of the three most important fields of study alongside nanotechnology and biotechnology. GIS professionals use information about geographical features to evaluate real-world problems and provide solutions. And the practical nature of the USC Dornsife programs allows you to start working prior to completing your degree or certificate, exposing you to real world issues and enabling you to accumulate valuable work experience.

GIS specialists can look forward to careers advising public and private institutions such as government, real estate developers, utilities, and telecommunications firms on where to build new roads, buildings, power plants, and cable lines as well as on environmental matters such as where to build a landfill or preserve wetland habitats. Other job prospects include police departments using GIS to allocate resources in crime-prone areas; public health agencies using GIS to locate cancer "hot spots"; transportation planners using GIS to unravel rush-hour congestion; and wildlife biologists using GIS to map the critical habitats of endangered species.