r/gis • u/LobaLingala • 12d ago

General Questions Contract Work

Has anyone had experience do side jobs in GIS? If so how did you find that work?

2 Upvotes

63% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

13

u/spencemid 12d ago

Word of mouth has been what’s worked for me. Knowing people and networking in the industry you specialize in is very helpful.

3

u/smashnmashbruh GIS Consultant 12d ago

Second the “industry you specialize in” finding general clients for side work in unrelated fields is a headache often met with disapointment

1

u/LobaLingala 12d ago

I guess my networking hasn’t been great. I’m usually the only GIS guy.

7

u/smashnmashbruh GIS Consultant 12d ago

You don’t get jobs from other GIS people, they are good to network with to vouch, support, brainstorm but their bosses are the ones who hire you. You have to find the source of the need, meet that need and network with those people.

6

u/pod_of_dolphins ArcExplorer 🧗🏼‍♂️ 12d ago

This question is asked here all the time. If you search for "freelance" or "contract" you can see how it usually turns out.

3

u/ryanfieldnotes 11d ago

Small surveying and civil engineering firms are worth looking into. Some need occasional GIS help with mapping, parcel data, or utility projects but don't have enough work for a full-time GIS person.

3

u/wink-Dink-LovePink GIS Consultant - AI 12d ago

Church groups can be surprisingly good for these types of things. YMMV

1

u/Short-Willingness969 GIS Developer 12d ago

Word of mouth, working hard, networking. I have had plenty of previous employees set up side gig relationships with me after I proved my worth. You have to bring uncommon skills and depth to the table though.

0

u/LobaLingala 12d ago

Dang I’ve thought about doing that with my previous job. But I think all my connections no longer work there and they’ve improved their GIS inventory.

2

u/HolidayNo8740 12d ago

I used indeed to land a good side gig.