ASPRS Speakers Club
Public speaking is a part of most of ASPRS members professional life. We all need to effectively communicate with our colleagues, staff, and students. Today as we must do this in person to person interaction; person to group presentation and through electronic transmission (e.g., virtual meetings) many of us find ourselves out of practice and in uncharted territory. To address this training and discourse thru an ASPRS Speakers Club has been under development that is similar to that of Toastmasters Int. but will be hosted in a virtual setting.
Brian Murphy, Vice President of Business Development at Altavian, the maker of the Nova family of Unmanned aircraft and payloads, and long time member of ASPRS, who is currently Past President of the Florida Region and Chairs the ASPRS Sustaining Members Council at a national level share his experience with Toastmasters in Florida.
"Since joining Toastmasters, and attending recent ASPRS conferences, I have seen a huge opportunity to help my fellow ASPRS’ers by helping improve upon their oral communication and leadership skills. I am interested in bringing elements of Toastmasters into ASPRS in order to help improve the member experience. Not only do I strongly feel this will help benefit all ASPRS members, young and old, but it will also help improve upon the Conference experience as well, by helping speakers watch their “ums and ahs;” keeping their presentation informative, yet concise; helping them rely less on power point bullets and more on content and delivery; using vocal variety in order to help maintain command of the audience."
In a recent meeting discussing how to proceed Paul Pope, of Los Alamos National Labs, share some of ideas that toastmaster encourages in person to group interaction, that will be replicated in our ASPRS Speakers club:
Present for your audience, not too them.
Make it your business to know what they want or need to hear,
and then be sure to present it in a way that captures their attention and offers a clear message.
With planning and rehearsal, you'll be able to avoid the common mistakes that plague other speakers.
See more at (https://www.toastmasters.org/Resources/Video-Library/speaking-mistakes-to-avoid)
While we are, by no means, experts in public speaking and leadership, we feel that these are skills we can all work on. We am hoping to find a group of at least 30 Individuals who are willing to help start and charter this initiative we are, for now, calling “The ASRPS Speakers Club.” It is here that I hope to foster deep networking relationships, while also helping improve self-confidence. Because it will be mostly virtual, I am hoping that this “club” will also allow us to increase our familiarity with the etiquette involved with utilizing various teleconferencing technologies.
Regards,
Paul Pope, Ed Freeborn, Brian Murphy, Melissa Rura
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JOIN US
I hope you will join us by going to the form below and filling in your contact information. Also, let us know if you have ever been involved in Toastmasters before, as we could benefit from your expertise and experiences.
http://goo.gl/forms/rZnzSFm5pv
Monday, 2 November 2015
ASPRS Speakers Club Next Meeting Nov 3
Wednesday, 21 October 2015
ISPRS SC Newsletter Vol. 9, Issue 2
- SPOTLIGHTS
- Interview with Assoc. Prof. Enrico Paringit
- It's More Fun at ACRS 2015
- About ACRS and AARS
- FUTURE ISPRS RELATED EVENTS
- ARTICLE.EDU
- NOAH Project - Disaster Management Tool
- INTERESTING LINKS
- ARTICLE.EDU
- UP DREAM/Phil LiDAR Program
- PHL Microsat Program
Tuesday, 20 May 2014
URISA's Student Competition Revolutionized for GIS-Pro 2014
http://www.urisa.org/news/2014/05/13/press-release/urisa-s-student-competition-revolutionized-for-gis-pro-2014/
Published Tuesday, May 13, 2014 11:00 am
by Wendy Nelson
In a recent development for GIS-Pro 2014: URISA’s 52nd Annual Conference taking place September 8-11, 2014 in New Orleans, the URISA Vanguard Cabinet has revitalized the traditional student presentation competition.
Help revitalize traditional poster contests by joining the Vanguard Cabinet for a showcase of recent 'maptastic' GIS student innovations. Instead of traditional printed and thumb-tacked maps, we are going completely digital. There will be a series of brief presentations (no longer than five minutes each) during the competition session on September 9th at 2:00 PM where students will compete for the "Best Presentation" cash award. Additionally, digital submissions will be accepted for students unable to attend the conference, where they can compete for additional cash prizes* in various categories. All approved submissions will be uploaded online and displayed in the common area during the conference, to allow conference attendees to vote on a "People's Choice" award. All awards will be presented to select competitors during the Wednesday morning awards ceremony at GIS-Pro 2014.
“With today’s GIS students becoming the future leaders of our industry, it’s essential to offer students a platform to continue learning, present analysis results, and get feedback to improve their skills,” said Ashley Hitt, a current URISA board member. “As young GIS professionals, the Vanguard Cabinet recognizes this and is offering more opportunities for students and other young professionals to get involved and take advantage of the opportunity.”
Students may submit a map or poster .pdf (or image file), a PowerPoint presentation, or a video walk-through of a web app., mobile app., model, or script they have developed. All submissions will be reviewed, to ensure appropriate content, and competitors will receive an email confirmation upon approval. We encourage competitors to attend the conference to present their work, but those unable to attend will still be able to compete for all but the "Best Presentation" award. All students are welcome to compete, as long as they submit evidence of at least half-time enrollment at an accredited college for the Fall 2014 term. More details, as well as the competition application form, can be found at https://sites.google.com/site/gispro2014studentcompetition/.
Additional opportunities for GIS students to get involved with the URISA GIS-Pro Conference - to be held in New Orleans, LA from September 8-11, 2014 - include a panel designed for students/young professionals and student volunteer opportunities.
Young Professional/Student Panel: This will be an educational session for students and young GIS professionals to learn more about GIS career paths, how to keep up with skills and technology changes required for more advanced positions, advice on creating effective resumes and portfolios, interview tips, and resources for open job positions. This session will take place on Tuesday, September 9 from 4-5 p.m.
Student Volunteer Opportunities: URISA strives to involve students as much as possible in its annual conference. There are a limited number of opportunities to attend the conference through a complimentary registration, in return for volunteering at the conference. An application is posted here: https://sites.google.com/site/gispro2014studentcompetition/volunteerIf you have any questions about the student competition, or would like additional information, please contact urisa.vc@gmail.com.
About URISA: URISA – Fostering Excellence in GIS – is a leading provider of learning and knowledge for the GIS community. URISA connects great ideas and great people to inspire leadership and achievement. We strive to provide exceptional educational experiences, a vibrant and connected community, and the essential resources you need to be successful in your career. URISA is a multidisciplinary association where professionals from all parts of the spatial data community come together to share concerns and ideas.
About the URISA Vanguard Cabinet: The vision of the Vanguard Cabinet is to provide students and young professionals within the geospatial profession with opportunities to further professional development and represent their interests with the URISA organization.
*URISA is seeking a total of $1,500 in sponsorship funds to award cash prizes to the top submissions in various categories. Demonstrate your commitment to future GIS leaders by sponsoring this important event. If your organization is interested in sponsoring the student competition, or would like additional information, please contact Wendy Nelson at wnelson@urisa.org.
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Here is an excellent opportunity for all GIS students! https://sites.google.com/site/gispro2014studentcompetition
Please forward this to your current/future GIS students (and if you don't mind announcing the GIS-Pro conference and student competition on your department website and/or calendar of events, that would be great!). Students can submit a project they worked on this past year, or will be working on during the summer, and can compete for cash prizes*. It would be great if they could attend the GIS-Pro conference in New Orleans to present their work, but they are not required to attend in order to compete.
Also, we are in need of 10-15 student volunteers, and in return for their time they will receive complimentary conference registration (please encourage them to apply early). If they are unable to volunteer, student conference rates are still quite affordable (as low as $50).
*We also need Sponsors for this important event! If your college/university is able contribute, or if you know any companies who might be willing to sponsor, any amount would be greatly appreciated. Sponsor information, including logo and website, will be uploaded to the competition website, the GIS-Pro conference website, and will be included in the conference program and other materials. Email urisa.vc@gmail.com for more information.
Thursday, 8 May 2014
JOB POSTING: Part-time GIS and Data Management Student Contractor Needed
The Central Energy Resources Science Center located in Lakewood, Colorado is looking for a part-time (20 hours per week) student contractor. The contractor would be required to provide services in accordance with the requirements below for the period of August 1st, 2014 through August 1st, 2015 not to exceed a total of 1040 hours.
The successful student contract candidate will perform various technically oriented tasks related to Geographic Information Systems (GIS), web content management, data management systems, and workflows and processes conducted by the Central Energy Resources Science Center. Specific tasks include:
- Authoring, editing, and updating desktop maps as well as web enabled maps using ESRI’s ArcGIS software platform, utilizing best practices, methods and procedures outlined by the Data Management and Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI) project contacts.
- Keep current, a geographic information system (GIS) of southwest Wyoming historical oil and gas drilling activity for the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI).
- Web mapping preparation, optimization, and processing including map caching.
- Geospatial metadata authoring, editing, updating and quality control/quality assurance (QA/QC).
- Geospatial web content management.
- Publication citation database QA/QC, data entry, and management.
- Scanning documents for Fundamental Science Practice records.
Expertise/skills:
Required
- Experience with ArcMap, ArcCatalog and ArcToolbox
- Experience with common GIS data formats and structures including shapefiles and geodatabases.
- Experience with managing GIS data in a Windows computing environment.
- Motivated problem solver who enjoys providing technical solutions to complex scientific problems.
- At least 2 years of under-graduate level course work in a GIS or a closely related program.
- At least 1 semester of GIS course work focusing on technical concepts and application of the ArcGIS software platform.
- Demonstration of current enrollment.
- Basic programming and ArcGIS model building experience.
- The ability to acquire and manage both public and proprietary oil and gas wells data. Includes honoring the proprietary nature of commercial databases.
- Good communication skills and ability to teamwork.
- Basic knowledge of web mapping standards (GeoServices REST API, WMS)
- Basic knowledge of database management systems.
- Basic knowledge of geospatial metadata standards
Compensation is commensurate with the level of education and experience, as follows:
- $13.79 – $15.45 per hour for a total of 1040 hours (20 hours per week) for student with at least 2 years of college.
Student is responsible for all costs of transportation to and from the principal duty station location. The Government does not provide housing, meals or other living expenses while working at the principal duty station. Student is also responsible for tax withholding and self-employment tax.
To apply, please send me your resume via email.
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.................................................................
Gregory L. Gunther
Data Management Project Lead
Central Energy Resources Science Center Data Management
http://energy.usgs.gov
http://twitter.com/usgsenergy
Denver Federal Center MS 939
PO Box 25046
Denver CO 80225
Fax: 303.236.0459
Phone: 303.236.5884
Mobile: 303.818.6043
ggunther@usgs.gov
Saturday, 12 April 2014
Congratulations to Steven Ostrowski, the first student liaison to an ASPRS Regional Board
On April 1, 2014 the Eastern Great Lakes Region (EGLR) of ASPRS appointed Steven Ostrowski, a graduate student at The Ohio State University (OSU), as Chairperson for the EGLR Student Advisory Council. The EGLR SAC is also the first of its kind and will serve as a bridge between regional and national student affairs. “As Chairperson, Steven will be the liaison between the EGLR SAC and ASPRS SAC... and to represent all students within EGLR who are current ASPRS Student members or hold an interest in joining ASPRS” (-EGLR Past President Jim Peters, Great Lakes Beacon 2014).
Steven Ostrowski holds a BS in Civil Engineering from OSU and will begin his second year of his MS in Geodetic Engineering, also at The Ohio State University. Last March 2013, Steven won 2nd Place at the OSU Engineering and Architecture Undergraduate Research Forum, with a poster presentation on “Mapping of the Mars Exploration Rovers Opportunity and Spirit, Analyzing Orthophotos and Stereoscopic, Panoramic Imaging”.
Steven works as a graduate research assistant on many exciting projects including the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) and ExoMars with Dr. Rongxing Li (ASPRS Fellow), and UAV/UAS projections with Dr. Charles Toth (ASPRS Vice President). He is enthusiastic about this new opportunity from ASPRS and looks forward to more student involvement from his region.
Friday, 11 April 2014
$100K in Scholarship Funding from USGIF Deadline to apply: April 25, 2014
The United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF) is excited to announce the opening of our 2014 Scholarship Program. USGIF is dedicated to assisting promising students interested in geospatial sciences with scholarship awards to further the advancement of the geospatial intelligence tradecraft.
With your help, we can make our 2014 Program the most successful yet. Please pass along this information to your contacts and/or students and download our 2014 Scholarship Program flyer.
- Students studying geospatial intelligence or any related field are encouraged to submit their applications by the April 25, 2014 deadline.
- Graduating high school seniors, undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students can download applications at http://usgif.org/education/scholarships.
- Scholarship recipients are chosen based on their academic and professional excellence in a field related to the geospatial intelligence tradecraft.
Students studying in fields such as geography, political science, physics, computer science, engineering, biology, anthropology, sociology or any field in the natural and social sciences are encouraged to apply. Through the USGIF Scholarship Program, the Foundation strives to communicate to students the breadth and power of GEOINT in serving national, global and human security interests.
The USGIF Scholarship Program endeavors to support students with innovative ideas for problem-solving with Geospatial Science and Technology. Please share information about this scholarship program with your students.
For more information on the USGIF Scholarship Program or to download applications, please visit: http://usgif.org/education/scholarships
Deadline to apply: April 25, 2014
Thank you for your assistance.
Sincerely,
R. Maxwell Baber, Ph.D., FBCart.S
Director of Academic Programs
United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation "
** Special thanks to Sokhan Hing, ASPRS Membership Manager
** Special thanks to Dr. Maxwell Baber, Director of Academic Programs USGIF
The Student Advisory Council thanks our SEMG Panelists for their participation in the Spring 2014 Student-Employer Meet & Greet
The Student Advisory Council (SAC) thanks our SEMG Panelists for taking the time to address our student members and represent their companies at the ASPRS 2014 Student-Employer Meet & Greet!
We ask and encourage all students to prioritize attending ASPRS conferences because through these events, you can really see the value of your student membership! At each conference you will find student-focused events coordinated by the SAC designed for you to introduce yourself to these industry leaders who have candid and thoughtful guidance for you at this stage of your career!
The geospatial community wants to get to know you.
Here are just some of the recommendations from this year’s panel of SEMG participants:
Jim Green, Regional Sales Manager
OPTECH | VAUGHAN, ONTARIO
“We are looking for people who are keen and eager--are keen to wake up in the morning and have the solutions rolling before they get to the office. Most of my hires are people who sit at a table--like I am right now--leaning forward into the conversation, not sitting back waiting for someone to ask a question. I'm waiting for people to tell me about my company and what they know about it. Because that tells me that's where they want to be.”
Elaine van Ommen Kloeke, Publisher
ELSEVIER PRESS | UTRECHT, NETHERLANDS
“Be careful with your CV--that's the best advice I got when I was making that transition--most of us tend to write the CV for scientists, so we talk about our education, our publications. But many companies are looking for something else, they want your competencies: what are you good at? Did you organize a workshop? Did you organize a conference? Can you show that you are good at networking? Those sorts of things you do not want to leave off of your CV. Make sure you show the other side of yourself.”
Eric Cole, Operations Manager
WOOLPERT | ATLANTA, GA
“Make sure you know the position you're applying for. When I look at a resume and I don't see things that don't apply specifically to the position that I'm hiring for, I go to the next resume. There has to be something there that makes me want to talk to you. That's the importance of a resume: it makes me want to talk to you. If we don't get past that, then there's no real opportunity. If you have something to offer me that I'm looking for, then you sell yourself on the project or position at that point.”
Gerry Kinn, Senior Imagery Specialist
ESRI | VIENNA, VA
“You as a prospective job hunter need to remember that you're hunting. And when you hunt, you have to approach the target, right? So make sure if you think you want to work for a company that you get in front of them, you talk to them, and they get to know you as a person. Because at the end of the day, we don't hire resumes. We hire people. If we know you the person, your chances skyrocket. And if you get an internship--no matter if it's paid, unpaid, anything--make sure you show initiative. That is the best way to get a job. We hire about half our interns for full-time positions. The ones we hire are the ones that showed initiative.”
Mike Rosen, Software Architect
LIZARDTECH | SEATTLE, WA
“Frankly, almost all entry level resumes look the same; if you've got something that you can say that stands out—that's what I'm looking for. Talk to me about something that you're passionate about: did you work on an open-source project? I totally want to hear about it. If you've got a project that you took initiative on and pushed for—that's the kind of thing that makes you stand out. If you show up here, plus one. It's something that distinguishes you from the 'great unwashed masses'. Initiative and the way you present yourself as a person that cares about what they're doing is huge.”
Darrick Wagg, Support Services Manager
GEOCUE CORPORATION | HUNTSVILLE, AL
“We do try to look to make sure our new hires have had some sort of exposure and some sort of experience. Have you done some volunteer work? Have you done some summer employment? Have you done some sort of internship? All those things help to elevate you above the people that have the same GPA and the same degree. It does help to pull you out of the crowd.”
Omer Mian, Product Manager
APPLANIX | TORONTO, ONTARIO
“When we are hiring at the entry level, one rule that we have is that if you have no experience, your resume needs to be one page. We do not need to see two or three pages that tell us that you have no work experience. But your cover letter is very important; if I read a cover letter and am dissatisfied, I will likely not bother with the resume. Make sure also that if you are applying for a job, your resume matches your LinkedIn profile.”
Jillian Obermeier, Recruiter
NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL-INTELLIGENCE AGENCY [NGA] |
“I'm the person that stands between you and these guys. I'm that middle man that reads thousands of resumes. When we read your resumes we want to see 'specific examples and associated results.' Just having the skill and being able to include that one bullet point might enable you to meet the qualification but it doesn't tell me how well you can do it and how much experience you have. And a cover letter is not optional; it's never optional.”
Carrie Jucht, Project Coordinator
STINGER GHAFFARIAN TECHNOLOGIES [SGT FOR USGS/EROS] |
“It's not about your 4.0, although that looks good; it's about your extra-curriculars as well. It means that you are willing to get yourself involved, and in leadership positions as well. And remember the key words of the position description you're applying for. Are you a communicator? Are you willing to do these job requirements? Use the key words from that position description in your resume and cover letter.”
Rodrigo "Sal" Nobrega, Professor
FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF MINAS GERAIS | BELO HORIZONTE, MG
“There are a lot of proposals going on right now in Brazil, not only in academia, but in government agencies, like in agriculture, and they are hiring, especially post-docs. We do not have many post-docs in Brazil, and the country is growing economically, so I am very supportive of the idea of encouraging students to find something online and apply. And depending on the field you are focusing on, the salary is very good.”
NATIONAL GEODETIC SURVEY [PART OF NOAA] | COLUMBUS, OH
“NGS employs about 200 people, and about 10-15% of our positions are vacant because of a hiring freeze. So when federal funding levels improve, we have pent-up demand. Make sure to set up automatic alerts for job advertisements through the USAJOBS website. Typically, our vacancies are only posted for a brief window, like a week. So you really need that notice to tell you a job is available to get your application together before the posting period closes.”
Ryan Bowe, GIS Technician and ASPRS YPC Mentoring Coordinator
QUANTUM SPATIAL | LEXINGTON, KY
“We have all been in the same position as you are right now and some of us even have offspring searching for jobs. Continue to do what you are doing and show us you are interested and eager by showing up at conferences and take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. One of those opportunities is definitely the mentoring program. So please sign up and I will try to pair you with a mentor as soon as possible!”
Please contact Ryan Bowe for more information regarding the ASPRS Mentoring Program!
We look forward to seeing you at the next ASPRS conference, and continue to follow our LinkedIn group for more updates for you, our student members!
