The powerful visualizations and analytics that come from a Geographic Information System (GIS), have become a hot skill to learn.  People at younger ages or with various degrees are seeing GIS as an excellent upskilling opportunity to map any data for any project.  If you are curious about these tools and this industry, you could start with a free course.  Then maybe this will lead you to look at the value of a GIS Certificate and if it will help you get the job you want. If you are looking into altering your career path with GIS, then earning a certificate can complement those skills you have acquired. So take a look at these learning platforms that have free learning options as a first step towards earning a top GIS salary.

1.ESRI

Duration: 6 weeks

This is a course that teaches you how to make beautiful maps using ArcGIS Pro. It is offered by ESRI MOOC. ESRI is the international supplier of GIS software that most people use now, such as ArcGIS. Therefore its courses are highly authoritative and applicable. It provides you free access to ArcGIS Online for use during the course. You can get a personal use license for $100/year which would allow you to take a handful of free software tutorials. This is a great place to see how the #1 GIS software works.

2. Bootcamp GIS

Duration: 1 week

Have you wondered how you can demonstrate the applied project experience to your future employer? The key question in an interview is to describe projects you have worked on.  This free course along with all of their courses are complete end to end projects.  This course is unique in that it shows you how to take these project results to enhance your Linkedin profile with graphics, links, and GIS branding to make you more competitive.  We recommend this course because it uses the real-world issue of local neighborhood zoning and planning to teach you how to use GIS. 

3. EDX The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Duration: 6 weeks

Are you interested in the urban environment? Then this course is a good fit for you. The professors are all from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. So if you take this course, you get the chance to listen to lectures from a top 100 university. We recommend this course because this course includes diverse topics, like Smart City and Underground Mapping, which you will not usually find in other courses. Also, there will be a live instructor leading you during the courses which you might find preferable over a self-paced course.

4. Coursera Mapping and Geospatial Revolution

Duration: 20 hours

This course is offered by PennState, which is a nice introduction course for people who know very little about GIS. It will introduce you to some basic terms and concepts of GIS. Together with the mapping assignments and quizzes, you can build your basic knowledge. It also covers cartography which has been a staple of all geography departments. If you want to get a primary GIS understanding, this course is a good choice for you. 

5.QGIS

Duration: self-paced

QGIS is an open-source GIS website, which offers a series of tutorials and GIS tips. Their courses include a wide range from basic to advanced operations. The courses have 20 languages available for students from different countries. The great thing about QGIS is that you can download QGIS for free and practice different skills you learn from their courses on your own. QGIS is used around the world in many smaller organizations and this is a great starting place that you can grow from. 

Conclusion: Start your first step in GIS field by viewing our selected courses

If you are thinking of a strategic way to upskill your resume, gaining GIS skills is a good choice.  Start with a free course and then determine if you want to invest more time in a certificate.  Then look here if you want to view ratings in a list of Top 10 GIS Certificate programs rated according to industry needs.  Ultimately this is the purpose of this article is to show students an efficient and affordable path to becoming a GIS professional.   Now start your first step by taking one of these courses. 

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