He works in Bangor for Photo Science, a company that writes computer mapping software, largely for utilities, continent-wide. From the Penobscot Valley, GIS firms mapped major portions of Spain, collaborate on a huge contract to map Puerto Rico, consult on the mapping of Texas, major portions of North Carolina, the Virgin Islands, and map long range weather forecasts for all North America and Europe. This isn't your grandfather's map. GIS maps juxtapose geography and data to facilitate most any decision you have the means to address. GIS jobs pay well.
Maine has a shot to be a big player in a high wage growing industry.
First, some background. GIS offers tools for better decision making in both the public and private sectors. Terry Keating taught civil engineering at UMaine, joined the Sewall Co. to help apply computer technology to mapping, then founded his own company. Keating is a pioneer, a mentor to numerous whiz kids. After doing research at the prestigious Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and working at Sewall, Michael was enticed by Kentucky-based Photo Science to create a GIS office.