It used to be that the cartographer worked solely on a "paper and pencil" basis, but now GIS is changing how they do their work.
Cartography is one of the jobs in GIS that requires a bachelor's degree and some type of physical science or engineering. They also need to be trained in computers and may have to work in the field as well.
Compensation
Cartographers generally make about $68,000 a year if they work for the federal government, depending on qualifications, or about $46,000 a year if they work in the private sector, depending on experience.
GIS technician jobs
In contrast to cartographer jobs, GIS technician jobs do not require a college degree. Rather, all that this job requires is that you have a high school diploma. Technicians assist surveyors with surveying equipment such as a theodolite, which looks like a telescope and measures vertical and horizontal angles, elevations, and distances. The person operating the theodolite trains his sights on vertical rods held by “rod workers”. The rods act to take measurements, which are then recorded. They also use other measuring tools such as surveyors' chains.
Using these tools, technicians and surveyors measure distances and heights on a piece of land and make notes on them. They calculate land boundaries and help prepare maps. They also figure out what the total acreage of a piece of land is.
GPS, or global positioning systems, have become increasingly important in environmental GIS jobs and in GIS jobs in general. We are familiar with GPS because it provides directions and maps to us in our cars, but technicians and surveyors also use GPS to record the radio signals transmitted by satellites at certain points. They then use those measurements and techniques with technologies like computer-assisted drafting, or CAD.
Education and background
For GIS technician jobs, you have to have graduated from high school, and it's recommended that courses in trigonometry, algebra, computer science and geography have also been taken. GIS technicians who are just starting begin as rod workers or apprentices. They graduate to instrument work and chain work after several years. Should you choose this profession, you may also decide to go to night school to get the necessary training after college so that you can start as an instrument worker right away. Technology is continually advancing as well, so training and education are going to have to continue throughout your career.
Although it's not necessary, certification as a technician is also a plus. The National Society of Professional Surveyors offers certification for technicians who survey. As a technician, you are certified at four different levels, and each level is reached and passed depending on your level of experience and ability to pass written examinations given at that level. You may also choose to become a surveyor, which requires more education and experience. Most surveyors have four-year degrees, but this can be pursued while you work in night school or online.
Other requirements
You have to be in good physical condition to be a technician and you have to be good at paying attention to details. Interpersonal skills are also mandatory, because you'll be working with others. In many cases, you'll also need to be physically fit to be a cartographer, because the preliminary work takes place in the field.
Compensation
GIS technicians make an average of about $30,000 a year, depending on where they live and work. If you are unionized as a technician, you'll make more. If you work for the government, you'll make about $35,000 a year.
Conclusion
Whether you want to pursue a college education or simply want to get to work right out of high school, GIS technology can provide you the means to do so. GIS technicians need just a high school education and some on-the-job training to get started, while cartographers, for example, need a bachelor's degree. In either profession you can advance with further education, including secondary education. Both of these professions are in high demand and will continue to be because the landscape is continually changing. New developments in housing, shopping centers, and entire cities are continually being added. As these changes are made, mapping and surveying will need to be done in order to keep up. Therefore these are two of the more secure careers you can find, no matter the educational level you want to pursue.
In addition, international GIS jobs will continue to be in demand because eventually, the entire globe is going to have to be intricately mapped. The topography, housing developments, buildings, and natural landmarks are always changing, so simply mapping them once is not going to be enough. Changes are going to have to be continually made, and as technology improves more detail will be added. This means that those who can do this type of work will continue to be in demand indefinitely.
