Let me take you back to the Before Times—specifically December 2019. I was at a Cityworks user conference, not expecting much beyond some coffee, vendor booths, and maybe a few maps. But then it hit me: We could be doing way more with GIS. Like, actually use it to improve operations—not just stare at dashboards.
That moment changed everything.
I went back to the office and pitched a wild idea to the District: fund me to take a GIS course. To my surprise, they said yes. By early 2020, I was enrolled in Foothill College’s Certificate of Achievement in Geographic Information Systems Technology I (GIST I)—and my life hasn’t been the same since.
Why GIST I?
Because it’s not just about maps. It’s about making your data spatially intelligent. GIST I is the perfect launchpad for IT pros, asset managers, or anyone using Cityworks who’s tired of saying, “I wish we could see this on a map.”
Foothill’s GIST I program gives you just enough knowledge to be dangerous (in a good way):
- GIS software fluency (ArcGIS, QGIS, etc.)
- Data wrangling and cleanup
- Map design that actually tells a story
- Confidence to say “buffer zone” without sweating
Suggested Course Path: How I Did It in 2020
Quarter 1: Laying the Groundwork
- GIST 11: Introduction to Mapping and Spatial Reasoning (5 units)
You’ll never look at a map the same again. Promise. - GIST 12: Introduction to GIS (5 units)
ArcGIS is both a blessing and a curse. Learn it anyway.
Quarter 2: Going Deeper
- GIST 20: Spatial Data Acquisition and Management (4 units)
From satellites to field data—you’ll learn how it’s all gathered and why accuracy matters. - GIST 13: Data Visualization & Cartography (4 units)
Because nothing ruins good data faster than a bad map.
What I Got Out of It
Besides a shiny certificate? A whole new mindset. I started to see every infrastructure question through a spatial lens:
- Where are the most frequent service calls?
- Are we prioritizing maintenance based on geography or guesswork?
- Can we link GIS to our asset systems better? (Spoiler: YES)
GIST I turned me into the unofficial GIS Admin for the District—and I’m not mad about it.
Who Should Take GIST I?
- Cityworks users tired of guessing what those layers mean
- IT professionals looking to expand their utility toolbox
- Public works and facilities staff who want to stop relying on third-party maps
- Anyone who’s ever asked, “Why don’t we have a map for this?”
Final Thoughts: From Conference Curiosity to Certified GIS Nerd
That Cityworks conference in December 2019 opened the door. GIST I kicked it wide open. Foothill College made it affordable, flexible, and—dare I say—actually fun.
So yeah, I survived GIST I in 2020. And if you’ve ever stared at a shapefile in confusion, you might want to give it a shot too.