Mapping Her Future: How GIS Enhanced the Sustainability of Michelle’s Archeology Career

Michelle Nguyen remembers the moment she discovered that geographic information systems (GIS) would not only preserve the job she loved but also broaden her career prospects in the future. GIS is a technology used to map and analyze spatial data.

As an archeologist, she thrived on uncovering stories buried in the earth. However, after witnessing senior colleagues face chronic injuries after years of digging, hauling equipment, and working in extreme weather conditions that forced them out of the field, she knew it was physically impossible to go on indefinitely.

“I felt it myself,” she recalls. “My heart was in archeology, but I knew my body wouldn’t hold out forever.”

That fear – paired with the desire to stay connected to a discipline she cared deeply about – sparked a turning point. When her employer brought in a GIS analyst with no archeology background – resulting in frequent errors in mapping and interpretation, which is essential for accuracy in archeology – something clicked.

“If only I could learn GIS,” Michelle thought, “I could stay in archeology – and do it better.” Suddenly, she could see a path forward: a role that used her field expertise, reduced physical strain, and expanded her professional future rather than narrowing it.

“Learning GIS at The Chang School was like finding a key to a door I’d been trying to pry open for a while – then realizing it opened a whole bunch of other doors too,” she says.

A Skillset With Reach Far Beyond Archeology

While Michelle’s introduction to GIS came through archeology, she quickly realized that geographic information systems are everywhere – in conservation, healthcare, emergency management, city planning, transportation, climate adaptation, crime analytics, and more. Because GIS is used across various industries to map and analyze spatial data, the demand for these skills continues to grow.

“Any job that has people or things in a place needs GIS,” she says. “It’s not just a career. It’s a specialized skillset that lets you fill a niche in whatever field you care about.”

That broader potential gave her hope. GIS meant longevity – not only in archeology, but in any future path she might want to explore. It was the first time she could imagine a career that didn’t force her to choose between passion and sustainability.

Finding the Right Training – and the Confidence to Pivot

During her research into GIS training options, Michelle kept seeing one name appear: The Chang School’s Certificate in Applied Digital Geography and GIS.

“I knew that a widely respected certificate would be a strong asset because employers recognize and trust the skills it develops,” she says.

For someone entering the field with limited GIS experience, the certificate offered structure, credibility, and instructors with real-world industry backgrounds. It also provided space to explore GIS through different application streams – environmental science, programming, crime analytics, and more – making it adaptable for learners coming from any discipline.

The Emotional Shift: From Physical Burnout to Purposeful Possibility

Michelle’s “a-ha” moment wasn't just technical – it was deeply personal.

GIS allowed her to reclaim control over her career by providing a safer, more sustainable work environment, year-round employment instead of seasonal uncertainty, a way to honour her archeological expertise, and a transferable skill that could carry her into entirely new industries.

Even now, she still feels connected to the fieldwork she once loved – but in a new way.

“Now I’m involved in the reporting for hundreds of sites. I map their artifacts, see their photos, and understand their geological and historical context. GIS gave me insight into parts of archeology I never would have experienced.”

A Career-Changing Opportunity – Before the Job Was Even Posted

When Michelle felt ready to step into a GIS role, she messaged every member of a firm’s geospatial team on LinkedIn. That proactive outreach led directly to an interview for a GIS Technician role – before it was publicly posted.

Her certificate, portfolio projects, and shared training background with several team members helped her stand out immediately.

Looking Ahead: GIS as a Lifelong Advantage

While nothing will replace Michelle’s love of field archeology, GIS empowered her to build a career that honours that passion – without sacrificing her health or limiting her future.

“I still miss fieldwork,” she says. “But GIS made my passion sustainable. And it means I can pivot into conservation, healthcare, disaster planning – anything that sparks my interest.”

Her advice to future learners is simple: search your job title plus “GIS.” Chances are, you’ll find opportunities you didn’t know existed.

Start mapping your future today.