This exercise was very helpful in understanding how to take data from a website, such as the census website, and use it to apply the information into ArcMap. Using excel to manage the data was also very useful because most data sets that are large enough to provide applicable data into ArcMap are found by using excel spreadsheets. Utilizing this information helps those of us that will soon be using GIS and ArcMap in our careers.

    While using ArcMap the certain details, like how to transfer the data from excel and also how to match the data with what you are trying to get the data show, was a bit of a trying experience sometimes. Like every other assignment prior to this, a tutorial was essential to completing the data set and without it the completing  assignment would have been almost unattainable. ArcMap is not the most user friendly software, but once you understand how to work with it in the mode you are working towards it seems to all fall in place fairly easily.

    Using excel comes with its own problem sets and making sure the data has certain parameters before you can transfer the data makes it difficult for the average user to transfer the data into ArcMap. Once the data is transferred and the certain data format is obtained, the data is then user friendly. But, getting to step where you can actually work with the data from excel to ArcMap is a bit of a process.

    For someone that is going into the field sciences, using GIS is a key component to getting a job. Most natural science jobs now require some first hand knowledge of GIS and prefer that you have your GIS certification. While working with the ArcMap software I can see where utilizing it to map populations, river/drainages, migration patterns, and a variety of other types things. While the software is difficult to work with, it will eventually provide a large advantage while advancing a career in science work.

   This assignment was a good intro in how to work with data in ArcMap and more importantly on how to put the data into a useable form. It provided a building block of knowledge to incorporate in to future projects. With this building block, future assignments will be easier to manage.