February 3, 2015
Cartographer
1a. What duties do people in the GEOGRAPHY career typically perform? Cartographers make maps of the surface of the Earth by gathering information from aerial photographs, survey notes, records, and reports. Some of the day to day duties performed by a cartographer are using computer programs to analyze information, using mathematical formulas for figuring out scaling points, elevations and oversee the printing process to ensure that the map is printed properly.
1b. What skills do they require? Some of the skills that cartographers need are having in depth knowledge about geography, computer skills to understand the complicated programs that are being used, patients because it is a very tedious job, they need to be organized so work will flow smoothly and efficiently and also detail oriented when working with very precise maps.
2a. What education and training do you need to peruse in this career? The first way to become a cartographer is going to college and taking cartography, this program includes courses such as surveying and remote sensing. This programs generally takes about 2 or 3 years. The second way to peruse this career is through university. Although Universities in Canada don't offer programs in cartography, some offer cartographic as an elective through a broader degree program, such as geography, civil engineering, or geology.
2b. What other qualifications are good to have?
Good qualifications would be to be