How can we ensure that we have – or as students, that we are – the Canadian geomatics workforce and ‘geospatially-enabled society’ of tomorrow? How can we ensure that the Canadian Geomatics Sector communicates a more compelling geomatics story while promoting a positive and prominent image of itself both locally and internationally?
On Saturday, March 22nd , GoGeomatics Canada is providing an opportunity for students (and student supporters!) to have their voices heard and to discuss the answers to questions like those posed above. Join us at the Fox and the Fiddle at 1:00pm to participate in one of the many groups that it is hoped will start to meet nation wide.
Existing organizations in the Geomatics Sector are interested in your answers – including the Canadian Geomatics Community Round Table (CGCRT) and the Canadian Remote Sensing Society.
The CGCRT is seeking feedback on the Pan-Canadian Geomatics Strategy draft from both the Geomatics Sector and the Geomatics Community – that means you, the students. The Strategy was developed in order to examine common issues and to present a coast-to-coast plan to reposition the Sector for success by outlining a ‘desired future’ for Canadian Geomatics – the Team Canada Scenario.
As students, we are the imminent members of the Canadian Geomatics Sector and we now have the opportunity to discuss the roles we can play to ensure the plans for the desired future reach fruition. Does it look like a future you want to be a part of? Is it realistic? How will we get there? Most importantly, what kind of impact can we have as students and what tools do we need to influence the trajectory of the Canadian Geomatics Sector and Community?
Here is a question not being addressed in the CGCRT draft strategy: Should students have a self-run Canadian Geospatial Student Union? – An organization that supports student run geomatics conferences/career fairs, that understands the confusion of deciding which certificate to work toward, that is a resource for new geomatics graduates entering the workforce? How about a group that organizes internships and Co-Ops for it’s members. A group focused on the particular needs of students and graduates trying to enter the workforce is needed. 
By providing answers to these questions and feedback on the Strategy, your insights will directly contribute to the final draft of the Strategy and the development of organizations focused specifically on geomatics student support.
The final version of the Pan-Canadian Geomatics Strategy will be tabled at a workshop in 2014 so don’t miss your chance to be a part of this essential and influential national dialogue! You can find the entire Strategy at www.cgcrt.ca
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