What's your job about?
I am part of the GIS team at TPG, comprising five people, three of whom are based in our head office in Wellington. Our role in TPG is vital as we are one of the few service lines that work across a wide range of projects. We utilize spatial and non-spatial data to create static plans and applications for a wide variety of projects and clients that assist TPG with delivering property expertise that helps build a stronger New Zealand.
Today, I have been instructed to make amendments to several Land Requirement Plans (LRPs) for a roading project. Our client has reviewed the plans and has determined that there are certain areas that are no longer relevant as they are not directly affected by the project’s designation. I use ArcGIS Pro, a geospatial desktop application, to remove the land areas and alter the information displayed on the LRPs. This takes me approximately five hours, with a couple of breaks in between, to make the amendments and send the plans to the client for review.
The easiest way to explain what I do would be to say I create maps on a computer. But the truth is, there is no simple definition for the extent of GIS work that I do. My job involves the process of collating spatial or non-spatial information, to create, analyze and display it in a visual format that is easy to interpret for the viewer/client. This can look like a simple static image with a plan, or it could be as extensive as a live map web application which the clients can interact with and find any relevant information related to the project.
What's your background?
I grew up in the suburb of Northland in Wellington and was very fortunate in my upbringing. My parents would always encourage me to do things that made me happy. Our family would often go to my grandparent’s farm in Taranaki. Going to the farm was always the highlight of the school holidays for me because I loved being away from the city, riding quad bikes, and grubbing thistles.
One of my most important and valuable life moments was taking Year 10 Geography. Geography, and the environment in general, were something I knew I was interested in prior to this, but I didn’t realize how much until I started learning more about it at school. The way my teacher taught geography made me love it, he was passionate about the subject and an engaging talker. We formed a good relationship when he saw how much I enjoyed the subject and often gave me some additional advice/expertise when I asked. I do think the reason that I have chosen a geography-related career is because my Year 10 teacher exposed me to it at a young age and I am very thankful for that.
Could someone with a different background do your job?
No, although if you are good with computers and are a quick learner, it is possible to learn on the job. GIS itself is such a broad sector, so it is important to learn and understand the basic concepts before joining the workforce. I gained the foundation knowledge in University, but through an internship and working for the past two years I have had the opportunity to hone my skills and learn even more.
What's the coolest thing about your job?
My favourite part of my job is using my creativity to design visually appealing applications, using data we have created or that been supplied to us. The software I use is complex and requires a bit of trial and error, which can be taxing, but it makes it that much more fulfilling when the final product is complete. There are a number of tasks that are repetitive and time consuming. For example, one of my jobs was to gather GIS open data and display the information for review by our Property Consultants. This had to be repeated for every local council and territorial authority in New Zealand which took about 3 or 4 months to complete. Although it was an extensive job, the end product and the client’s positive feedback made it all worth it.
What are the limitations of your job?
There are very few limitations to my job, but one that comes to mind is the type of data we work with. We are often provided with datasets from clients that contain confidential information, so we are required to be aware of what is in a dataset and understand it before working with it. Occasionally, I do some after-hours work if we have a deadline approaching, but this is very rare. As a small but growing GIS team, we are dependent on our external and internal clients for work, meaning we don’t generate a lot of our own work that benefits TPG.
3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...
The main piece of advice I would give, is to just enjoy your time. Don’t get bogged down in your studies and think that is the most important thing in your life. Take the time to do things with your friends, and network and build relationships because that is just as important for your future self.
Over half of my knowledge about GIS I have learnt through work experience, so don’t think that you must learn or know everything at university. Something I wish I had done was make the most of my lecturers and tutors’ knowledge. It might seem overwhelming asking questions in a lecture, but chances are there are other people that are confused as well, and it is much more valuable to get clarity than remain confused.