Can any one tell me GIS(geographical information systems) is a good field to take it as a carreer

Can any one tell me GIS(geographical information systems) is a good field to take it as a carreer.? I have done my diploma in mechanical engineering, presently working in a GIS company in Bangalore and also doing my Btech(5th sem part time) in civil engineering. I am very much interested to take up Gis as my carrer as it is an emerging area can any one tell me that the field which i have choosen is right.? a)Further how can i grow in the field of gis? b)What are all the software that i have to master? c)what are all the books that i have to study? d)Do i have a bright furture in this field? e)Is there plenty of jobs in this field Please send me a reply as soon as possible. Software - 1 Answers Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions : 1 Yes - the field you have chosen is right. Do the things you love and leave the rest to the God! (a) Breath Gis. Walk Gis. Dream Gis. you will grow naturally. Once you love it, you will have more interests in it and everything will follow naturally. (b) Try using these free-GIS tools to get used to the terms and etc http://freegis.org/ The type of software you will need to learn perhaps is better determined when you are in GIS college. You will definitely need to learn ESRI as this software is used by major GIS companies. Also learn to use IDRISI. Don't worry if you do not have the budget now, just check out the free software listed above. That should get you used to some features of GIS software. By the time you have some sort of degree, you will already have had a chance to work with these software which would be offered in your University, etc. (c) You should read not only GIS books but also maths and science books as they too are related to your subject. Here are some good books to start reading now GIS.. c1. An Introduction to Geographical Information Systems, and also the "Thinking About GIS by Roger Tomlinson" c2. How maps works c3. Principles of Geographic Information Systems by P.A. Burrough c4. Introduction to Physical Geography and the Environment by Joseph Holden c5. GIS Fundamentals by P.A. Burrough There is no rule to which books you should read. You could pick any books that is related to your subject until your university/college tells you to read specific books as part of their curriculum program. You might also enjoy reading GIS magazines, try the magazine Geoinformatics. You could also consider magazine printed in your own country as a good economical option. (d) Yes you do (e) Yes, there are lots of jobs in this field. But be good at it, there will be lots of jobs as well as lots of candidates!!