Whatever you choose to call the current economic situation, it's clearly impacting everything, worldwide in one way or another. This week we look into the crystal ball to think though the impact on the geospatial technology industry. More that one company in the industry has seen its stock not just fall but plummet; some are cutting jobs. But what about those in government positions? What about software vendors? Consultants? What's the prognosis for gadgets and phones? Join us to see if you agree with editors' perspective.

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The office in Detroit is responsible for hiring census workers for Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia and its been basically overrun with applicants for the jobs which pay from $18.25-$19/hour. Applicants are asked to take a basic skills test (which includes map reading) and those who score highest are placed first. A sample is here.

Census is hiring in other parts of the country, too, gearing up for the 2010 count.

- Detroit News

I've heard references to Daniel Seddiqui's project Living the Map, in which he "works" a different job in each state. I just saw that he shadowed a cartographer from Uteig Engineers in Fargo, North Dakota.

- DL Online

Data Transfer Solutions LLC is moving from a 2,000-square-foot office to a 10,000-square-foot one that will serve as international headquarters in Orlando. The space can hold 15 additional employees, though only three are slated to be added this year.

This year saw five new offices open for the company, which focusses on asset management built around GIS solutions. From Jan through June 2008 offices popped up in Fort Collins, Colo.; Boston; Raleigh, N.C.; Chicago; and Zurich, Switzerland. A Canadian office is planned.

- Orlando Business Journal

HelloMetro, based in Southern Indiana, is considering a relocation to Louisville, where it could expand, adding 15 jobs.

Spatial Data Integrations, a Louisville company, plans a new freestanding building. It would also add 15 jobs.

- Business First

Amy Gahran over at Poynter details why a blog is Media Career Insurance. I could probably rewrite the argument and suggestions for GIS careers, but it'd be redundant (besides, she's a better writer than I...)

These days your online presence, professional and otherwise, is part of your resume. When I started out in GIS I recall reading that the best way to "become known" as an expert was to write articles in your field. I didn't set out to do that, exactly, but the early writing I did in print certainly got me known and ultimately here at Directions. Now, however, everyone, CEOs, tech folks and everyone in between may be called upon to host or contribute to a blog or blogs related to their positions. Why not make it easier for potential hires to evaluate your writing skills/thinking/creativity/personality/how you react to criticism/etc. on your blog? Be yourself, but be professional. Consider the geoblogs/bloggers you read: Would you hire any of those folks? Inquire about the products the company behind them offers? If you read them even somewhat regularly, you get a sense of them, or an opinion at the very least.

I have my Penn State MGIS students post videos and reports to personal blogs and then have their peers offer questions and comments. I want them to get a feel for writing and reading blogs in a "professional" setting. I have no doubt they'll be reading and likely writing them at some point.