So here’s the deal.
I’m currently working in IT. Solo. For a water district. I manage the entire infrastructure while answering questions like “Why is Outlook slow?” and “Is this phishing?” (Yes, it always is.)
And in between moving servers and mentally moving to a beach somewhere, I started thinking:
What’s next?
I already have degrees. I’ve done the certs. I’ve racked up some solid experience. But I needed something more focused, more strategic, and let’s be honest — something that doesn’t make my brain melt like calculus.
So I’m doing this:
MAS-GIT (Master of Applied Science in Geospatial IT) + Network + Cybersecurity Cert Overkill Strategy
Because why pick one when you can suffer through both?
Why MAS-GIT? (Aka “Why maps are cooler than you think”)
GIS is no longer just about drawing boundaries or “that thing the city uses to find potholes.” It’s data, automation, remote sensing, real-time response — all wrapped in location intelligence.
And since I already have a GIS background, I figured: why not level it up?
With MAS-GIT, I get to:
- Build spatial databases that actually work
- Automate stuff with Python like a caffeinated hacker-cartographer
- Do web GIS dev (aka make maps people can click on without crying)
- Learn remote sensing, which sounds like sci-fi and that’s a win
Also, it’s math-lite and extremely public-sector friendly, which is my love language.
But maps alone won’t stop a cyberattack…
So here’s where the network + cybersecurity cert flood comes in.
Because I don’t want to be the person who made a beautiful GIS dashboard — just for it to get ransomware’d and renamed “MapSuki” by some guy in Eastern Europe.
Enter: The Stack
CCNA + CCNP – For talking to routers without crying
Azure Network Engineer Associate – Because we’re all in the cloud now, whether we like it or not
GSEC or CEH – To legally learn how to break things (yay!)
PowerShell + Python – Because automation is the future, and I’m lazy
Microsoft 365 Security Admin – Because email is 97% of government tech problems
Maybe throw in Wireshark skills for when I want to feel something
Why This Combo Makes Sense
Because in a world of “I took a 1-week bootcamp,” I want to be the guy who says:
“Yeah, I can secure your network, automate your workflow, and make you a live GIS dashboard. All before lunch.”
This strategy is:
- Practical (hello, government IT)
- Flexible (CA or PH ready)
- Hire-me-worthy (certs talk, degrees walk into HR)
- Slightly chaotic but well-reasoned (like all great plans)
Final Thoughts While Debugging Something at 1AM
I could’ve just stuck to one thing. Just security. Just networking. Just GIS.
But that’s not me.
I’m a one-man IT army, and if I’m going to survive (and maybe thrive), I need to be the map guy, the network guy, the cyber guy, the script guy — all in one.
So yeah, this is the plan.
MAS-GIT + Certs = Future-Proofed Me.
And if not, at least I’ll have cool maps and a secure lab to cry in.
If you’re also out here trying to reinvent your tech path while fixing printers and pretending not to be tired — hey, let’s connect. I’ve got notes. I’ve got planners. I’ve got sarcasm. Let’s build a smarter future and not get hacked doing it.