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Ten Simple Rules for Creating a Successful Career …in GIS. Will Holmes GIS Branch Office of Information Technology Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Warning!!!. What I am about to share is DANGEROUS!. How the world sees us. How the world sees us…. really .
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Ten Simple Rules for Creating a Successful Career …in GIS Will Holmes GIS Branch Office of Information Technology Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
Warning!!! What I am about to share is DANGEROUS!
How the world sees us…. really. L to R: Jack Dangermond, Logan Hardison, Scott Morehouse, and SJ Camarata
Overview • What are the technical skills needed? • What are the “soft” skills needed to be successful? • Final thoughts
No one can know everything about GIS but... • Be a solid generalist. Know… • GIS Technology. • Analysis Methods. • Basic Modeling. • “Reporting” • Develop a specialty. • Hydrology, transportation, programming, …
Know IT Basics • IT skills • Networks – wireless vs. wired • Desktops • Servers • OS • Software installations • Programming • Software development process
Know Your Business • Project management • Strong Business communication skills • Effective writing • Effective verbal skills (listening & speaking) • Strong “Office” skills • Business etiquette
Rule # 1: Don’t exist… LIVE. You better lose yourself in the music, the moment You own it, you better never let it go You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow This opportunity comes once in a lifetime, yo -- Eminem, "Lose Yourself“ 2002
Rule #2: Live the present that creates the future you want… • Define your goals. • Achieve them through every choice you make every day.
Rule #3: No one makes you anything. • You choose what you are… • …and how you become. • “The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts.” • --Marcus Aurelius (AD 121-180)
Rule #3… • Own your… • emotions & behaviors. • successes & failures. • Become introspective. • Analyze & understand the whyin your choices. • “Know thyself.”
Rule #4: Build the right attitude. • Professional… • Happy vs. MAD! • Elevator or Stairs…
Have determination. • “Can’t never could.”
Never, ever, ever quit! • Marcus Luttrell…
Be entrepreneurial… • Be bold. • Find/create opportunities. • Take smart risks. • Be adaptive. • Be willing to fail… sometimes.
Find solutions to problems… Not Excuses. • Fix problems before your asked. • Don’t “sit in the box.” • Stretch yourself.
Rule #7: Every person is valuable to you. • Everyone can help you be successful.
Rule # 8… • "You don't get paid for the hour, you get paid for the value you bring to the business in that hour". • Mark Horstman
Rule #8… During an Interview • Know their business. • Demonstrate you… • understand their business • want AND CAN help satisfy theircustomers. • Remember, it’s not about you…
Rule #8 … During Work • Your professional goals = Employer’s goals. Company Goals Office Goals Personal Goals
Rule #10: Everyone is your customer. • At Work • Peers (Co-workers) • Supervisor(s) • Agency/Division • Company • Business Partners • The Public • At Home • Family • Friends • People you meet.
Rule #11: Measure success by the value you create for your customers. • Value ≠ • knowledge • technical skills • Value = making their life better. Users
Success = • Knowledge • Technical Skills • Positive Attitude • Determination • …applied to help others. • Aut viam inveniam aut faciam (Hannibal) • “I’ll find a way or make one!”
Find fulfillment in serving others. • “Pay it forward.” • Make the world a better place.
Rule # 12: It’s not about technology…. It’s about people. • Face time is priceless. • Texting/email ≠ face time • Be collaborative. • Build allies not enemies. • “Walk” in your customer’s shoes.
Have People Skills “I deal with the god damn customers so the engineers don't have to. I have people skills; I am good at dealing with people. Can't you understand that? What the hell is wrong with you people?”
Rule #12… • Build your professional network. • Extend beyond just office mates. • Connect people together, not just through you. • Give back professionally. • Contribute • Mentor
Rule #13: Your most powerful tool is… Listening. • Listen to be heard. • “Listen” to non-verbals. • Engage in a conversation not a lecture. • Both sides need to gain something. • NOTE: Multi-tasking is a lie. • Be “In the moment.”
Rule #14: If you don’t know it, be willing to learn it. • Never stop learning. • Technology changes… adapt. • “We learn not in the school, but in life.” • -- Seneca (5 BC – 65 AD)
Final Thoughts • What stage are you in? From: Tribal Leadership, 2008
Final Thoughts… • “Everybody wants to be a success.” • “Not everybody is willing to do what they have to do to achieve it.” • Nick Saban • Are you making the choices every day to reach your goals?
Final Thoughts • No single “way.” • Define your path. • Vision and goals. • Live the process • Work to your strengths. • Recognize and control weaknesses.
Remember the Rules… • Rule # 1:Don’t exist… LIVE. • Rule #2: Live the present that creates the future you want… • Rule #3: No one makes you anything. • Rule #4: Build the right attitude. • Be Passionate. • Find solutions to problems… not excuses. • Have Determination. • Never, ever, ever quit! • Rule # 5: Live “The Process” … not the goal. • Rule #6: Enjoy Your Success… In the Moment. • Rule #7: Every person is valuable to you. • Rule #8: It’s not about you…. It IS about them. • Rule # 9: Make “work” fun. • Rule #10: Everyone is your customer. • Rule #11: Measure success by the value you create for your customers. • Rule #12: It’s not about technology…. It’s about people. • Rule #13: Your most powerful tool is… Listening. • Rule #14: If you don’t know it, be willing to learn it.
