GIS-STEP

Geospatial Internship & Skills Training for Employment and Professional development

Become a part of Oregon’s premier GIS upskill/reskill training: the Geospatial Internship & Skills Training for Employment and Professional development (GIS-STEP)

We connect businesses, organizations and academia to develop the next generation of GIS professionals.

During the one-year program, students pursue a GIS or UAS certificate or degree and are matched with an Oregon business or organization to create solutions using geospatial technology. Interns help businesses and organizations by applying spatial analysis and mapping techniques to improve decision-making and present spatial data to stakeholders. The interns are paid, and the program is free for employers.

Businesses – How to Apply

Host a GIS-STEP Intern
Are you ready to accelerate your GIS goals? Contact us: Kuuipo Walsh at kuuipo.walsh@oregonstate.edu to host a full-time, ten-week intern.

Students and prospective students – How to Apply

Eligibility

  • U.S. citizenship
  • Oregon resident
  • Must be at least 18 years of age by start date
  • Students who are currently enrolled at BMCC, COCC, OSU; Prospective students who are not currently enrolled but plan on applying. Acceptance into GIS-STEP program is dependent on acceptance into one of the three schools
  • Interest in receiving a credential in a GIScience field: GIS certificate, UAS certificate, GIS AAS, UAS AAS, GIS AS; The  GIS-STEP program will pay for books, fees and tuition for courses in the credential up to June 2026
  • Willingness to learn and follow office policies and/or standard employer procedures at internship site
  • Valid U.S. Driver's license (if required by internship)

Application Requirements

  • Submit online application form, including the following:
     
  • Current resume or work summary. (Maximum 2 pages).

    Note: If you do not have a resume, give a summary of professional experiences, including a few sentences that summarize your top skills for an employer. Feel free to list any GIScience coursework completed (GIS, remote sensing, cartography, UAS, etc.), mathematics, and/or technology fields (such as computer sciences). Or if you would like to create a resume, see resources and guidance from the OSU Career Development Center and the Purdue Online Writing Lab.
     
  • Required short answer response to the following prompt:

    Tell us where you are in your career/professional path, and how upskilling or reskilling in Geographic Information Systems & Technology (GIS&T) fits with your long-term career and educational goals. What specifically interests you about this training and what skills and/or experiences are you hoping to gain? (Approximately 250-300 words)
     
  • Contact information for one professional reference (professor, advisor, work supervisor, mentor, etc.).

    Note: Professional references should be able to speak to your character and your professional and/or academic background. Professional references will only be contacted for finalists during the final phase of candidate selection. Please ask your references for permission to include their information before final submission of your application. If necessary, references will be contacted by email and asked to complete a short questionnaire.

 

Apply Here

 

Important Dates

What When
GIS-STEP Applications Open February 10, 2025
Application Deadline Applications for the GIS-STEP program will be accepted on a rolling basis until all slots are filled.
First Round Applicants Notified March 15, 2025
10-Week Summer Internship Period June to early-September (dates are flexible)

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • What is the GIS-STEP program?

    The Geospatial Internship & Skills Training for Employment and Professional development (GIS-STEP) program seeks to address the skills gap in the geospatial technology industry by providing training and workforce development opportunities, particularly supporting communities of color, low-income communities, and rural or frontier areas. The program aims to reskill and upskill incumbent workers, preparing them for careers in the geospatial information and technology sectors. By offering technical training, career readiness support, and hands-on internship experiences, GIS-STEP helps participants build the expertise needed to enter and succeed in this growing field.
     

  • Will my application fees be covered?

    There is no fee to apply to GIS-STEP. OSU offers fee waivers to students who are eligible for a variety of financial-support options, TRIO-type programs and to active duty and U.S. veteran applicants.  A full list of what qualifies a student for a fee waiver can be found at the end of the undergraduate admission application by clicking on the “Request Fee Waiver” button.  We do not offer fee waivers on our non-degree and post-baccalaureate applications.
     

  • Which institution (Oregon State University, Blue Mountain Community College, Central Oregon Community College) should I attend?

    To help you choose between Oregon State University, Blue Mountain Community College, and Central Oregon Community College, consider your academic goals, location preference, and budget. In addition, OSU offers an online option for the GIScience Certificate.
     

  • What kinds of jobs can I get with a GIS certificate?

    There is a range of careers that use Geographic Information Science (GIScience). The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration divides the GIScience workforce into 10 distinct occupations, including various kinds of scientists, technicians, surveyors and cartographers. Sample job titles include GIS Technician, Geospatial Technician, GIS Data Analyst, Remote Sensing GIS Analyst, Spatial Analyst, Surveying and Mapping Technician, and Cartographer.
     

  • What if I don’t finish my certificate by spring of 2026?

    Our Student Services team will support students to navigate the limitations/timelines/opportunities of this program and other programs available to them.

The GIS-STEP program, a partnership between Oregon State University, Central Oregon Community College, Blue Mountain Community College, and local employers, is designed to create a highly skilled, workforce-ready cohort in geospatial technology. Through a combination of internships, coursework, and career training, the program prepares participants to enter Oregon's high-demand, high-wage geospatial information and technology industries with expertise in GIS, strong analytical skills, and real-world experience.

Students in the GIS-STEP program will participate for one year in a mix of in-person and/or online courses, career development workshops, and a paid GIS internship. The program will cover tuition, fees, and textbooks.

We strongly encourage applications from individuals who are historically underrepresented in the field, including people of color, individuals with low income, and those from rural or frontier communities.

For more information or to apply, please reach out to Kuuipo Walsh at kuuipo.walsh@oregonstate.edu.

This program is supported by a Future Ready Oregon Workforce Ready Grant from the Higher Education Coordinating Commission.