Cartographers: Job Description, Education, Skills and Duties, Earnings and Outlook
Submitted by: paula
Job Overview In the early times, the explorers, warriors and traders utilize maps as guides in navigating the world.The advances in the system of measuring the globe though latitudes and longitudes have made the map designs more accurate. As the mapmaking science and mathematical technology contrinued to improve, more and more sophisticated outputs resulted and better and more accessible geographical information can be obtained from the present maps. People who are in charge of this job are called the cartographers. Today, cartographer's job is to primarily prepare maps, diagrams or charts as well as drawings from aerial photographs and statistical or survey data. Aside from these, they are also involved in map research wherein they attempt to develop new mapping techniques and conducting investigations on areas such as how people use maps efficiently.
Education Knowledge and Trainings Required
As early as high school, one can prepare to become a cartographer by taking subjects in mathematics, geography, computer scheince and drafting or mechanical drawing. Foreign language may be helpful in making maps for the other countries and Communications and research classes develop the skills in oral and written communication and map research. More and more mapmaking companies and government agencies put a higher preference to those who have achieved at least a bachelors degree. More frequently, presenlty employed cartographers have degrees in civil engineering, forestry, geography and other physical science courses. A master's degree can also be taken by obtaining post graduate courses related to cartography.
Skills and Abilities
Technical skills and critical thinking skills are necessary to get in the job. The use of the different computer programs used in mapping and other tools and techniques such as precision stereoplotting apparatus and photogrammetric techniques should be mastered.
Research and comunication skills are needed in doing investigation in the field of mapping.
Duties
AS cartographers, they are in charge on the different stages of the mapmaking process. In doing so, they use either the manual or the computerized drafting technology, photogrammetric techniques and precision stereoplotting apparatus along with the standard mathematical formula. To plan and draft these maps and charts, they consult and work closely with the mapping scientists and surveyors more specially in interpreting geographical inforamtion and translating these into map symbols. Oftentimes, they work with the system in computers that can store, manipulate and organize data by location and analyze them as a map not as series of numbers. These days, GPS or the Global Positioning System is another technology that has become helpful in their job.
Earnings and Job Outlook
The median annual salary for a cartographer points to around 48,250 U.S. dollars according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The rage of salary however starts off from 29,620 to 79,390 U.S. dollars per annum. The employment and job opportunities for this kind of profession are expected to grow about as fast as the average for the other professionals. Those who have excellent and advanced skills in using GPS technologies have the greater advantage of getting up the position ladder faster.
Paula Hiz is a researcher and a human resource specialist who helps newly graduates, job applicants and post graduate professionals be aware of their job opportunities and available trainings for skills and practice upgrading.
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Word Count: 538 Date: Thu, 25 Nov 2010 Time: 6:13 PM
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