Employment opportunities
GIS technicians, sometimes called environmental technicians, often work for engineering and design firms; environmental firms, parks and recreation departments; agriculture suppliers and consultants; and with municipal, state, and federal government agencies.

Job outlook
Employment of science technicians is expected to increase at an average rate for all occupations through the year 2014. However, this is a relatively new field, which has many career options yet to be realized. With the increasingly technological approach to agriculture, natural resources, and the environment, this field is likely to grow in importance and opportunity.

Career advancement
With further education, and specialized training, technicians may go on to become supervisors, consultants, teachers, engineers, and environmental scientists. It is not uncommon for technicians with a certificate like this one to eventually transfer their credits to a four-year institution and get a bachelor's degree in environmental science, engineering, and other related fields.Entry requirements

Earning potential
Median earnings of surveying and mapping technicians were $30,380 in 2004, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics..

Career choices with your certificate:
• Environmental technician
• Geographical information systems technician
• Landscape architect
• Precision agriculture technician
• Software development specialist

With experience and/or further education you may go on to:
• Biologist
• Civil engineer
• Environmental engineer
• Environmental scientist
• Urban planner