Entry Level Qualification 

Post Graduate

Career Fields 

Mathematics & Science

For Specially Abled 

Career Entrance Exam 

CUET PG, GATE

About Career 

Carto – what?

Cartography, the art of making maps, is an interesting career choice. Today mapping is essentially a digital technique that makes use of remote sensing technologies through satellites, range detection with laser, various software for data capture / integration / fusion / archival etc. It is an exciting mix of art, science, and technology. Cartographers today are generally working globally as GIS Cartographers / Analysts / Specialists as all most work roles about map-making in any organization that needs demonstrated proficiency with GIS software.

What is this GIS actually?

Geographic Information System or GIS is a network of specific locations and geographic data collected through GNSS/GPS in the form of pictures or laser technology etc. Although GPS is the more commonly used term but GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) and GPS (Global Positioning System) are both multi-satellite dependent technologies. This means that they collect data from multiple satellites. Did you know a satellite can grow old and retire? So when this happens they have to be replaced with new ones so that data collection is not hampered.

Another type of methodology of collecting data for creating maps is ‘laser technology’ or LiDAR. You will come across this term very often while exploring about this field. The difference between satellite method and laser method is that laser can measure the distance of an object (buildings, mountains) and hence create 3D maps by forming the whole structure of the object. However, lasers cannot map a water body as the object has to reflect the laser back only then can the distance be measured and water will not reflect laser beams.

Satellites can use both these technologies either to send pictures simply through remote sensing imagers or send 3D maps using inbuilt range-finding laser systems (commonly called LiDAR satellites). So we just learnt about 2 major types of geographic data: image-based and distance-based.

How is GIS data used?

This huge volume of geographical data is integrated, analyzed and stored for future use in large digital databases through various GIS software such as Land works GIS, Maptitude, ILWIS Integrated Land and Water Information System), Geomatica etc. As a GIS Analyst or Digital Cartographer, you will be capturing, storing, manipulating and analyzing this spatial or geographic data to create maps of different regions.

Why is GIS data needed? Who uses it?

Your work may be directed towards a specific commercial sector or industry like urban surveying / planning, transportation, mine surveying, oil exploration, aircraft navigation, agriculture, telecommunications, disaster management, defense, meteorology, wildlife conservation etc.

GIS today makes navigation through Google Maps and reaching an unidentifiable destination so easy! You must have experienced it. GIS maps have become an integral part of our everyday lives today.

What do professionals do?

As a GIS Analyst or Digital Cartographer, you will be collecting, analyzing, and interpreting both spatial (longitude, latitude, distance, elevation) and non-spatial data (demographic characteristics, land-use patterns, annual precipitation levels).

You will be diving into details and evaluating large geographic datasets! You should be able to dig through data problems to find the root cause of issues.

You will calculate position/measure locations, download data and process the downloaded data with GIS software. You may need to create/develop Geo databases, enter data into GIS databases or explore various websites with GIS content. The information you dig may be used commercially or for your independent academic research.

Little More about Geomatics or Geospatial Sciences

Geomatics on the whole deals with managing global infrastructure by collecting, measuring, monitoring and storing geospatial data. So you have to understand that the study and use of GIS comes under the broad umbrella of Geomatics Engineering or Geospatial Sciences. GIS is concerned with digital map-making which can have numerous applications as discussed in earlier sections. However, Geomatics is not just about making maps. If you are considering pursuing this discipline there will be many more interesting sub-disciplines under the umbrella of Geomatics, besides GIS, cartography or map-making.

Functional Fields of Work

As a Cartographer/GIS Analyst, you will be involved in any one of the following broad functional domains and will assume responsibilities accordingly:

1) Data Analysis, Management and Representation

Work will be office-based in a corporate set-up or General Government Sector institutional units. Team members arrange, integrate, analyze and store computed satellite information using various software.

Projects will generally be targeted at a specific sector of a certain industry for e.g. Agriculture, Communications & IT, Rural Development, Water Resources, Defense, Urban Planning, Consumer Services, Civil Construction, Mining etc.

2)  Education, Research and Training

Work will be laboratory based. Educatorsand Trainers are involved in teaching/demonstrating to a class or pursuing independent research in an educational establishment. Educators may also be supervisinga team of research scholars pursuing disciplines such as GIS, Cartography, Mapping, Geotechnics, or Remote Sensing.

You may be a Lecturer/Professor in an academic institutionor you may be independently researching, developing and devising new strategies or products targeted for commercial consumption or just paper publishing for academic use. However, traveling for global conferences and science congresses is generally part of this role.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

As a Cartographer/GIS Analyst, depending on your functional field of work, you will be engaged with one or more of the following roles and responsibilities: -

For Data Analysis, Management and Representation

1. You will be involved in building and maintaining a GIS database by sourcing, evaluating and manipulating spatial satellite data for integration into a database.
Analysts have to arrange this data and build a map. The volume of this data is so huge that it has to be stored in separate databases.

2. You will be producing data layers, maps, tables, or reports, using technical procedures or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology, equipment, or systems.

3. You will be responsible for ‘Asset Data Management’.
‘Assets’ are any physical formation on the ground like a building, a canal, a bridge or a lake. These ‘Assets’ are marked with set of specific codes after being identified by a satellite. The specific codes are generated through software. Analysts have to manage these codes or Asset Data.

4. You will be planning, preparing, reviewing and maintaining project spatial data using popular GIS software like AutoCAD Map 3D, ESRI ArcGIS, Landworks GIS, Maptitude, ILWIS Integrated Land and Water Information System), Geomaticaetc. 

5. You will be applying standard mathematical formulas to identify and measure elevations, geographic locations etc.

6. You will be collecting, compiling, or integrating GIS data, such as remote sensing or cartographic data for building maps.

7. You will be creating visual representations of geospatial data, using complex procedures such as analytical modeling or software algorithms.

8. You will assist in testing the compatibilities of mobile, desktop and server based applications.

9. You will be preparing training materials for, or make presentations to, GIS users/clients.

For Education, Research and Training

1. You will be involved in conducting research regarding new technologies, experimental techniques, instruments and laboratory supplies that can improve research standards as well as operating procedures and outcomes.

2. You will be preparing detailed written or verbal presentations, technical reports and compilations based upon research outcomesfor publication, grant or patent applications.

3. You may be involved in teaching/demonstrating to a class of post graduate students or a team of research scholars pursuing this academic discipline in an educational establishment.

4. You will participate in seminars, science congresses, conferences across the world.

Career Entry Pathway 

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies – Class 11-12 with Mathematics & any other subject as per scheme of studies – Undergraduate degree in ‘Geographical Sciences’, ‘Civil Engineering’ or related – Course in Remote Sensing & GIS or similar / LSIT Certificate

After completing Class 11-12 with Mathematics & any other subject as per scheme of studies, go for a Bachelor degree courses in Geographical Sciences, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Geological and Geospatial Engineering, Geospatial and Geographic Information Systems, Computer Science, Cartography & Digital Cartography or similar disciplines. Joint AB-AM degree / single combined AB.-Sc.B. degrees are usually 5 year courses. Joint AB-AM degree means a master level degree. AB is Latin for Bachelor of Arts and AM is Latin for Master of Arts. Similarly, Sc.B. is Latin for Bachelor of Science. These can be undertaken in combinations offered by various universities around the globe. Then you can go for a short-term specialization/professional course in Remote Sensing & GIS, Digital Cartography, Geosciences, Surveying, Environmental and Geographical Sciencesor similar. If you are an engineering graduate in Computer Science or Information Sciences, doing such specialization courses is mandatory. You can also opt for a LSIT (Land Surveyor in Training) certificate which is opted after having required post-secondary education of at least 2 years or at least 2 years of work experience relating to the field of surveying, geospatial sciences, civil engineering etc. You will have to pass NCEES® (National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying) FS (Fundamentals of Surveying) Exam for the certificate and to obtain a professional license as an engineer or surveyor.

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies – Class 11-12 with Mathematics & any other subject as per scheme of studies – Undergraduate degree in ‘Geographical Sciences’ or similar – Post graduation degree in ‘Geospatial Sciences’ or similar

After completing Class 11-12 with Mathematics & any other subject as per scheme of studies, you can go for your graduation degree and complete it. Then you may go for post-graduation specifically M Sc or MS or M Sci (Master of Science)/ ME or M Eng (Master of Engineering) / Joint AB-AM degree (Bachelor + Master of Arts) / single combined AM.-Sc.M.(Master of Arts + Master of Science) degree or similar post graduation level courses in Geospatial Sciences, Geographical Sciences, Signal and Information Processing, Geoinformatics, Urban & Regional Studies, Geomatics, Urban Planning or similar

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies – Class 11-12 with Mathematics & any other subject as per scheme of studies – Undergraduate degree in Geographical Sciences, Civil Engineering or similar – Post graduation degree in ‘Geospatial Sciences’ or similar - Doctoral Studies

After completing Class 11-12 with Mathematics & any other subject as per scheme of studies, then your graduation degree program, you can first complete your post graduation. Then you can go for your doctoral studies in Applied Geography, Geospatial Analysis and Computation, Landscape and Urban Planning, Remote Sensing and Spatial Uncertainty, Geoinformatics, Satellite Image Analysis & Photogrammetry, Geomatics or similar.

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies – Class 11-12 with Mathematics & any other subject as per scheme of studies – Undergraduate degree in Geographical Sciences, Civil Engineering or similar – Post graduation degree in ‘Geospatial Sciences’ or similar - Doctoral Studies – Post Doctoral Studies

After completing Class 11-12 with Mathematics & any other subject as per scheme of studies, then your graduation degree program, you can first complete your post graduation. Then you can complete your doctoral studies and go for post doctoral research in Applied Geography, Geospatial Analysis and Computation, Landscape and Urban Planning, Remote Sensing and Spatial Uncertainty, Geoinformatics, Satellite Image Analysis & Photogrammetry, Geomatics or similar segments of this discipline

Required Qualification & Competencies 

After Class 11-12 with Mathematics along with any other subject as per scheme of studies, you can study for an undergraduate degree in Engineering (with PCM only)/ Geographical Sciences. Then you can do a Master’s degree. Then you may either opt for a job opportunity or do a Ph.D. and thereafter go for post-doctoral studies.

You can study for a Bachelor’s / Master’s / Doctoral degree in any of the following fields (Note that all these fields may not offer you a degree at all three levels, that is in Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral. Some fields may offer a degree only at the Master’s or at the Doctoral level or may be a certificate/specialization course only):

1. Advanced Geodesy

2. Applied Geography

3. Applied Remote Sensing

4. Cartography & Digital Cartography

5. Computer Science

6. Computer Science & Engineering

7. Demographic & Population Studies

8. Digital Photogrammetry & Remote Sensing

9. Geocomputation and Visualization in Web Platforms

10. Geodata Visualization

11. Geographic Information Systems

12. Geographic Information Systems Technology (GIST)

13. Geographical Sciences

14. Geography

15. Geoinformatics

16. Geoinformation Sciences & Earth Observation

17. Geological and Geospatial Engineering

18. Geospatial Analytics

19. Geospatial and Geographic Information Systems

20. Geospatial Sciences

21. GIS and Geoinformatics

22. Mathematics and Geospatial Science

23. Remote Sensing & GIS

24. Remote Sensing and Spatial Uncertainty

25. Satellite Image Analysis & Photogrammetry

26. Signal and Information Processing

27. Spatial Data Science

28. Statistics & Programming of Geodata

29. Survey (Geographical)

Compentencies Required

1. You should have interests for Investigative Occupations. Investigative occupations involve working with ideas and quite a lot of thinking, often abstract or conceptual thinking. These involve learning about facts and figures; involve the use of data analysis, assessment of situations, decision making and problem-solving.

2. You should have interests for Realistic Occupations. Realistic occupations involve more practical and hands-on activities than paperwork or office work. Realistic occupations often involve physical activities for getting things done using various tools and equipment. 

3. You should have interests for Conventional Occupations. Conventional occupations involve repetitive and routine tasks as well as fixed processes or procedures for getting things done. These occupations involve working more with data, systems, and procedures and less with ideas or creativity.

4. You should have knowledge of Computers, Data and Information Security-computer systems, common consumer software, relevant GIS or related software, their benefits and applicability.

5. You should have knowledge of Geography - Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of the land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.

6. You should have knowledge of popular methods, software, and instruments such as LiDAR, Total Station, AutoCAD Map 3D, ESRI ArcGIS, Survey CADD, Trimble GPS ,Land works GIS, Maptitude, ILWIS Integrated Land and Water Information System), Geomatica etc.

7. You should have knowledge of Mathematics - arithmetic, algebra, geometry and other mathematical disciplines and their applications.

8. You should have Critical Thinking Skills - analysis of complex situations, using logic and reasoning to understand the situations and take appropriate actions or make interpretations and inferences.

9. You should have Problem Solving Skills- analysis and understanding of problems, evaluating various options to solve the problems and using the best option to solve the problems.

10. You should have Active Learning Skills - Focused and continuous learning from various sources of information, observation and otherwise for application in getting work done.

11. You should have Judgment and Decision Making Skills- considering the pros and cons of various decision alternatives; taking appropriate and suitable decisions.

12. You should have Inductive Reasoning Ability- combine pieces of information from various sources, concepts, and theories to form general rules or conclusions. For example, analyzing various events or situations to come out with a set of rules or conclusions.

13. You should have Deductive Reasoning Ability- apply general rules and common logic to specific problems to produce answers that are logical and make sense. For example, understanding the reasons behind an event or a situation using general rules and common logic.

14. You should have Written Comprehension Ability- read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

15. You should have Information Ordering Ability- arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

16. You should have Perceptual Speed- quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.

17. You always or mostly prefer to stick within a routine or carry out routine and repetitive activities. 

18. You are always or mostly organized in your day-to-day life and activities.

19. You are always or mostly disciplined in your action and behavior.

20. You are practical always or in most situations.

21. You are always or mostly dependent on others or on set rules and procedures.

Career - Job Opportunities & Profiles 

You can find work in potential areas such as in:

1. Any independent organization that does surveying and mapping

2. Geo-information production organizations

3. Space Research Organizations

4. National survey and mapping organizations

5. Geological Survey of India, Indian Space Research Organisation, NASA, US Geological survey,

6. NIC, Census, Public Works Department (PWD)

7. Fish and wild life services, National parks, forest service

8. Agriculture, Agriculture Engineering, Power companies

9. Telecommunications, Electricity companies/Boards

10. Hazard mapping and disaster management

11. Crime mapping

12. Transportation and infrastructure industry, traffic management

13. Higher Education institutions, research institutes, universities

14. Information technology industry

15. Mineral exploration

You may get work roles as these or similar:

1. GIS/Cartographic assistant

2. GIS Mapping Designer

3. GIS Data Analyst

4. Geospatial Information Technology (GIT) Associate

5. GIS Cartographer

6. Apprentice Geospatial Analyst

7. Geospatial Intelligence Subject Matter Expert

8. Coastal Habitat Mapping Specialist

Some of the key players in Geospatial Sciences market include:

India

1. Avineon, Inc

2. CGI Group Inc.

3. Cyient

4. Delta Technology

5. ESRI India

6. GISC India

7. Navteq

8. Premium Service

9. RMSI India

10. RSI Softech

11. Spageo

12. Standav Labs Private Limited

Global

1. Atkins

2. ArcGIS

3. Autodesk, Inc.

4. Digital globe Inc

5. ESRI

6. Fugro N.V.

7. Google

8. Hexagon AB

9. MDA

10. Pitney Bowes Inc.

11. Planet Labs

12. RMSI

13. Satellite Imaging Corporation

14. SuperMap

15. Trimble Navigation Ltd

16. Ubisense Group plc.

17. Urthecast Corporation

18. WS Atkins Plc.

Specialisation Tracks In This Career

Geomatician (Geomatics Engineering)

Geomatics on the whole deals with managing global infrastructure by collecting, measuring, monitoring and storing geospatial data. Professionals design, develop and operate systems/instruments for collecting, analyzing, and utilizing geospatial data about land, buildings, oceans, natural resources, and the environment. This may concern Earth or other planets as well. Geomatic study about Mars is being pursued by NASA recently.

Cartographer/ GIS Analyst (Digital Cartography)

Digital Cartography specifically deals with utilizing information received from satellites, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones etc. to connect different geographic locations for generating a ‘map’, either with defined national boundaries or just a territorial outline or to display the physical characteristics of a geographic region such as mountains, plateaus, rivers, forests etc. or maybe to demarcate traffic movements in a human settlement area. Cartographers are essentially focused on map-making and related activities.

Career Growth

You may grow though the following roles depending on your functional field of work.

Data Analysis, Management and Representation:

GIS/Cartographic assistant / GIS Mapping Designer / GIS Data Analyst / Geospatial Information Technology (GIT) Associate / GIS Cartographer – Senior GIS Analyst – Lead Analyst – Assistant Vice President – Associate Vice President – Vice President

Education:

Industrial Fellow, Associate Lecturer, Lecturer (Level B), Lecturer (Level C), Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor, Emeritus Professor, Visiting Senior Research Fellow, Honorary Senior Research Fellow, Director of Department

Salary Offered  

1. At the entry level jobs, after your Master’s degree in depending upon the institution where you are graduating from, you may expect to get about Rs. 35,000 – 70,000 or even more a month. In junior level jobs (after 4-5 years of post-graduation), you can make about Rs. 60,000 – 1, 00,000 or more per month.

2. In mid-level jobs in India (after having 8-10 years of experience), you can expect to earn about Rs. 70,000 – 1, 50,000 or even more a month.

3. In senior-level jobs in India (after having 15 years of experience), you can expect to earn about Rs. 90,000 – 2,00,000 or even more a month.

Global (US)

1. Remember that, if you are not a US citizen, getting a job in USA after a bachelor’s degree will be a rare case. However, after your Graduate (Master’s or Ph.D.), you may look forward to if you do really well in your course. The chances of getting a job after graduate courses increase with the reputation of the university from where you graduate. However, if you are from a premier institute like IIT, you may get a campus placement in USA. But even that is few and far between.

2. At the entry level jobs, after your Bachelor’s degree depending upon the institution where you are graduating from, you may expect to get about USD 3,000 – 50,000 or even more a month.

3. After 4-5 years of work experience, you may expect to earn around USD 4,500 to USD 7,000 a month or more depending on your job location and roles.

4. At the entry level jobs, after your graduate (after Master’s or Ph.D.) degree depending upon the institution where you are graduating from, you may expect to get about USD 4,500 – 7,000 or even more a month. In junior level jobs (after 4-5 years of post-graduation), you can make about USD 5,000 – 8,000 or more per month.

5. In mid-level jobs (after having 8-10 years of experience), you can expect to earn about USD 7,000 – 12,000 or even more a month.

6. In senior-level jobs (after having 15 years of experience), you can expect to earn about USD 10,000 – 15,000 or even more a month.

7. Senior corporate leaders get much more than this; their total remuneration including performance bonuses could be as high as half a million or even a few million dollars a year.

Monthly Earnings In Indian Rupee

1. Entry level: 0 - 2 years of work experience 

2. Junior Level: From 1 to 12 years of work experience 

3. Mid-Level: From 5 to 20+ years of work experience 

4. Senior Level: From 10 to 25+ years of work experience (there could be exceptions in some high-end technical, financial, engineering, creative, management, sports, and other careers; also in the near future, people will reach these levels much faster in many careers and in some careers, these levels will have no meaning as those careers will be completely tech skill driven such as even now, there is almost no level in a Cyber Security Expert’s job)

Famous Personalities 

Information not available.

Work Activities 

1. Analyzing and interpreting data and information - Analysis of data and information to find facts, trends, reasons behind situations, etc.; interpretation of data to aid in decision making.

2. Drawing, drafting, laying out and specifying objects, equipment, devices, tools, and systems - Creating and developing maps, drawings, layouts and specifications.

3. Calculating and computing - Calculating or computing using various mathematical formula and functions using computers or otherwise.

4. Computing - Computing using various computer software applications; using software applications for scientific and technical work.

5. Using computers for work - Using computers for day-to-day office work; using computer software for various applications in day-to-day professional work; entering data and process information; for writing.

6. Identifying objects, actions, and events - Identifying various characteristics of objects; observing and understanding actions and events; understanding changes in actions and events.

7. Processing information - Searching, compiling, tabulating, calculating, auditing, verifying or otherwise dealing with information processing including data entry, transcription, recording, storing and maintaining databases.

8. Getting Information and learning - Observing, hearing, reading, using computers, or otherwise obtaining information and learning from it.

9. Strategic planning - Developing visions and goals, developing strategies and action plans for achieving visions and goals.

10. Making decisions and solving problems - Analysis of data and information; evaluation of alternative decisions and results of decisions; taking the right decisions and solving problems.

11. Organising, planning and prioritising tasks - Planning and organising tasks in order to achieve work goals; prioritising tasks to achieve goals and making the best use of the time available.

12. Updating and using relevant knowledge - Keeping updated with the latest knowledge relevant to your fields of work and use of the relevant knowledge in getting things done.

13. Working in a team - Working in a team of people; developing team; maintaining professional relationships among team members.