This week, I spent some time exploring the GIS job market and thinking about where I see myself down the road. The assignment asked us to search for a GIS job posting and reflect on how it connects to the skills we’ve built throughout the program, and I was surprised at how eye-opening this process turned out to be.
I came across a position for a Senior Geospatial Intelligence Analyst with CACI, supporting U.S. Special Operations Command. The role focuses on advanced imagery analysis, like LiDAR, multispectral, and satellite data, to create intelligence products that directly support missions. This isn’t an entry-level role — it’s the kind of work that blends advanced technical skills with real-world impact. It also represents the kind of meaningful and challenging career I’d like to grow into while building a stable and financially secure future.
What really stood out to me during this search was realizing how much of what we’ve learned already connects to these higher-level positions. Skills like ArcGIS Pro, Python scripting, LiDAR analysis, 3D modeling, and cartographic design are all part of what I’ve gained through my coursework and internship. My final course, Photo Interpretation and Remote Sensing, will take that a step further by giving me hands-on experience with multispectral datasets and advanced imagery workflows — a key requirement for jobs like this.
Of course, I also saw where I need to grow. Roles like this require a TS/SCI security clearance, more experience applying GIS to real-world intelligence operations, and a bachelor’s degree, which I plan to pursue (I’m currently considering Data Analytics through WGU).
Overall, this assignment helped me connect the dots between where I am now and where I want to be. It made me realize that all of my work so far has been worth it — every class, lab, and project has been a building block toward something bigger. Even though there’s still a lot to learn, I can see a clear path forward, and that’s both exciting and motivating.
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