The Lewis F. Rogers Institute for Environmental and Spatial Analysis (IESA) promotes environmental education through interdisciplinary instruction and collaborative learning. IESA is designed for inquisitive minds craving to cast a brighter light upon Earth's many mysterious eon-spanning processes. The curriculum directs students to discover and explore new focus areas within geoscience such as environmental-health, -engineering, -education, -urban planning, and community development. During their experience, students will earn work-ready training through internships, community service, and research projects that will carry them confidently forward to fulfilling employment or reputable graduate schools.
IESA also participates in the Academic Common Market, where out-of-state students can qualify for in-state tuition when enrolling in select degree programs. Learn more about the Academic Common Market.
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Most GIS and environmental professionals work indoors and on the field at least 40 hours per week. When working outside, you will often walk long distances or stand for long periods, sometimes in bad weather. Handheld technologies are utilized for data collection in the field; while data analysis is completed in a computer lab. Some technicians fly UAVs (drones) to collect aerial imagery of environmental conditions and then process the imagery alongside their other mapping data. Demand for surveying services is closely tied to construction activity, and job opportunities will vary by geographic region, often depending on local economic conditions. Increasing use of geographic technologies and data will drive employment growth in the careers of surveying, mapping technicians, geographers, environmental engineering, urban planning and community development.
Careers & Salaries
Most work full time, which is at least 40 hours per week. Individuals can expect both field work and indoor work. When working outside, you may stand for long periods and often walk long distances, sometimes in bad weather.
Survey & Mapping Technicians: median annual wage $46,200 / $22.21 per hour (2021)
Surveyors: median annual wage $65,590 / $31.54 per hour (2022)
Geographers: median annual wage $85,430 / $41.07 per hour (2021)
Cartographers & Photogrammetrists: median annual wage $68,380 / $32.88 per hour (2022)
Hydrologists: median annual wage $84,040 / $40.41 per hour (2022)
Database Administrators: median annual wage $98,860 / $47.53 per hour (2022)
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2021-2022 Edition
AGET Technician Career Pathways
- High School and Technical College Recruitment leads to
- Transferred credits from accredited technical college and
- High School Diploma or GED equivalent
- Transferred credits from accredited technical college leads to
- Proposed A.S. degree: Geospatial Engineering and Technology with Directed Emphasis Areas
- High School Diploma or GED equivalent also leads to
- Proposed A.S. degree: Geospatial Engineering and Technology with Directed Emphasis Areas
- Proposed A.S. degree: Geospatial Engineering and Technology with Directed Emphasis Areas
- Supplemental Instruction (if needed) also leads to
- Proposed A.S. degree: Geospatial Engineering and Technology with Directed Emphasis Areas
- Proposed A.S. degree: Geospatial Engineering and Technology with Directed Emphasis Areas with Proposed Land Surveying Certificate (optional) leads to
- Georgia Land Surveyor in Training (LSIT) exam
- Proposed A.S. degree: Geospatial Engineering and Technology with Directed Emphasis Areas also leads to
- Agriculture Technician
- Forest and Conservation Technician
- Environmental Science Technician
- Civil Engineering Technician
- Geology Technician
- Surveying and Mapping Technician
- Proposed A.S. degree: Geospatial Engineering and Technology with Directed Emphasis Areas
- High School and Technical College Recruitment leads to
Support an IESA Student Today
Nurture a brighter future for an aspiring GIS expert by donating to the scholarship fund for IESA students, established by the UNG Foundation.
Direct from the Pros
We regularly invite in professionals from the field to share their inspirational experiences, intriguing insights, and interesting research at our Environmental Colloquium Speaker Series. Don't miss out!
Recipient of United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation Accreditation
Recipient of the Applying Geospatial and Engineering Technology Grant.
Recipient of Environmental Education Grant Program (Region 4)
Educational affiliate with the National Geospatial Technology Center of Excellence (GeoTech Center).
