NEW CAREER MEETINGS PLANNED IN AREA

Individuals who like computers and want a new career path are encouraged to attend one of a series of meetings planned in the next few weeks.

Geographic Information Systems leads to careers such as electronic surveying, city/county planning and natural resource management in agriculture.  Geographic Information Systems is a combination of maps and databases that are used by natural resources experts and local government agencies to solve problems involving natural resources and land information.

It’s a cutting-edge technology and job opportunities for this career are growing.

“The U.S. Department of Labor reports that Geographic Information Systems is one of the three most important emerging and evolving careers along with biotechnology and nanotechnology,” said Mary Mohni, Executive Dean of the Estherville Campus. 

And the pay is competitive.

“A recent graduate of Iowa Lakes was hired by a north central Iowa county at $42,000 annually,” Mohni said.  “This spring, an average of two Geographic Information Systems jobs were being advertised each week in this region.”

Iowa Lakes Community College is looking at offering the Geographic Information Systems courses to meet a variety of schedules.

“We know many people want to keep their day job while pursuing their education,” said Mohni.  “We want to find out when people would like to take classes – such as late afternoons, evenings or maybe even some – or all – courses online.”

The schedule is as follows:
    Monday, July 26, 6:30 p.m. – Algona Campus, 2111 U.S. Highway 169 N.
    Tuesday, July 27, 6:30 p.m. – Spencer Campus, 1900 N. Grand Ave., Ste. 8
    Wednesday, July 28, 6:30 p.m. – Spirit Lake Campus, 800 21^st St.
    Monday, Aug. 2, 6:30 p.m. – Estherville Campus, 300 S. 18^th St.
    Tuesday, Aug. 3, 6:30 p.m. – Emmetsburg Campus, 3200 College Dr.

All interested individuals are encouraged to attend one of the meetings to learn more about Geographic Information Systems. 

College staff and a Geographic Information Systems expert will be present at each of those meetings to explain more about the coursework, answer questions of those attending and assist potential participants with everything from possible financial aid to the application process. 

Individuals with questions prior to the open informational meetings or those who are unable to attend any of the meetings may call the college’s business office at (712) 362-2604 or (800) 242-5106 ext. 172.