I had the opportunity to compete in the fourth annual SkillsUSA Geospatial Technology Contest.  This page was created to encourage interest in the contest through the eyes of a contestant.  The contest takes place at the SkillsUSA National Convention usually during the June.  Some of the information if date specific, but hopefully it will help others with their journey through the SkillsUSA Geospatial Technology Contest.

My journey was challenging with both ups and downs.  Through it all, I was awarded a gold medal as the 2009 SkillsUSA Geospatial Technology Contest champion.  Enjoy my journey through the below blog posts and feel free to contact me with any questions by email: timothy[at]gispathway.com.

Mentions in the Press

CPCC Communicator - CPCC Student Wins the Gold Medal in SkillsUSA Championship

The Monroe Scoop - Union County Public Schools Project Manager, Timothy Hales, Wins National Competition

ESRI - Students Awarded ESRI Software in Geospatial Technology Section of SkillsUSA Championships

Recent Blog Posts

Thank You Supporters #SkillsUSA #GeoComp09 (7/3/2008)

My 2009 SkillsUSA Geospatial Technology Contest Experience (6/26/2009)

Arrival in Kansas City and Competition Preparation (6/22/2009)

More Insight from a SkillsUSA Geospatial Technology Competition Winner (6/18/2009)

Home Stretch Here I Come (6/15/2009)

SkillsUSA Registration and the Social Media Scene #GeoComp09 (6/09/2009)

Over My Head in the Geospatial Competition Project (5/29/2009)

Tickets Booked and Budget Reduced (5/25/2009)

Received Competition Project Package Today (5/18/2009)

Registration Clarification (5/12/2009)

eBay Failure and a Little Anxiousness (5/11/2009)

Competition Fundraising Update and Registration Confusion (5/4/2009)

Insight from Inaugural SkillsUSA Geospatial Technology Winner (4/30/2009)

Supporters Step Up For Geospatial Competition (4/24/2009)

SkillsUSA Membership Application Sent Off (4/23/2009)

Support the Future of GIS (04/21/2009)

SkillsUSA Registration Confirmed (04/18/2009)

Starting with Pennies for My Competition - (04/16/2009)

Answers to My SkillsUSA Competition Questions - (04/07/2009)

SkillsUSA Geospatial Technology Preperation - (03/19/2009)

June 22-24, 2009 in Kansas City, Mo.

What is the SkillsUSA Geospatial Technology Competition?

SkillsUSA instituted a college/postsecondary-only contest in Geospatial Technology in 2005. The fourth Geospatial contest will be held at the 2009 SkillsUSA Championships in downtown Kansas City, Missouri June 22-June 24, 2009. College/postsecondary students studying GIS, RS and GPS from across the country are invited to compete.

Why do I want to go?

I would like to go first of all because I am a college student studying geospatial technology and I qualify to compete. I will be graduating this spring and will not be eligible next year. I love GIS and have made it my hobby. Any way I can gain education and experience, I am up for the challenge. This is a tremendous opportunity to showcase my skills and the education I have gain from Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, NC. I feel that I can learn a lot while also contributing to the geospatial technology industry.  And of course, I would like to see how I compare to other geospatial college students.

What would I like to gain from going?

I would like to gain the pure experience of the competition while also sharing it with others though this blog.   The opportunity to network with other like-minded college students from across the county would be awesome.  Also the chance to earn the STARS certification would help my professional career while I wait for enough experience to earn my GISP.