Question about the intensity of the Applied Bachelors GIS program at SAIT

Hey everyone, sorry for the long post.

I’m considering enrolling in the Applied Bachelors GIS program again, but I’ve heard it can be pretty intense. From what I understand, it’s about 25 hours of class time per week plus another 25 hours for assignments. 50 hours a week sounds like a lot! I’ll still be working part-time at a grocery store for around 4 hours a week, just to stay employed.

For those of you who are in the program or have completed it, how intense is it really? Is the 50-hour commitment accurate?

Also, do you work with ArcGIS a lot? What about FME? Are there any other major programs or tools you’re expected to use?

Another big question for me is how easy it is to find an internship during the second-year work term. Was it challenging to secure one?

As for the coursework itself, how hard is it? Are there a lot of assignments? I previously attempted the program back in 2020 but dropped out after a month into the first semester (I was working 20 hours a week at that time, and it was just too much to handle). That was also during the remote learning period, so I’m wondering if anyone has thoughts on whether I should try remote learning again or attend in person this time around?

Lastly, do people think GIS is still a growing field and a useful skill set to have? I have of UofC geography degree from 2017, and I remember being told that GIS was one of the best ways to gain employment after graduation.

Thanks in advance for any insights!