Sam McLean, a VUW summer scholarship student, comments on his summer research work.
Over this summer, I worked as a summer scholar
with Mairead through the Victoria University of Wellington Summer Research
Scholar programme. This scholarship was jointly funded by Land Information New
Zealand (LINZ), the Department of Conservation (DOC) and Victoria University of
Wellington.
My scholarship assisted with research on
establishing baseline data on young geospatial professionals in New Zealand and
the support mechanisms available to assist their transition from higher
education to employment as well as existing young geospatial professionals’
ongoing professional development.
As a part of this research, I interviewed
lecturers at universities and polytechnics in New Zealand that offered a
geospatial curriculum, as well as helped design surveys for geospatial
organisations and young geospatial professionals themselves. We were interested
in the the skills being fostered in young geospatial professionals, what
support mechanisms are developing these skills, as well as the desirable
attributes and characteristics that make young geospatial professionals
employable. The research project builds on previous research by Mairead
(see 'Filling the gap: The geospatial skills shortage in New Zealand paperhere) and is directed by the Geospatial Capability Reference Group to
understand the support for young professionals entering the geospatial industry
in New Zealand.
In the short time that I have been involved
with data collection, it has been interesting to see unfold both the connections
and disconnections between the responses of stakeholders’ in New Zealand’s
geospatial industry, as well as their alignment with literature or distinctive
and unique characteristics in departing from the literature.
My participation in the scholarship programme
has also allowed me to develop valuable research experience that will assist me
in my own Masters research this year. It has also encouraged me to explore my
options for advancing my own geospatial education.
From this experience, I have come to realise the
variety of geospatial opportunities available in New Zealand, as well as the
significance of expanding training in this area. I can only encourage GIS, as I
have done with my sister, friends and summer colleagues, for the opportunities
open to members of the geospatial community, its relevance to most professions
and growing geospatial capabilities within some organisations.
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