Black Intelligentsia Libraries
The New Way Of Thinking
Cartographer (and Photogrammetrists)
Do you enjoy "scavenger hunts," "treasure hunting," geocaching, using compasses, and/or reading road maps? Are you particularly adept at using measuring tools, measuring objects and distance, and/or using nature (the sun, moss, etc.) to locate the cardinal directions? If so, and if you enjoy Math, Science, Art, and Geography, then you should really consider becoming a Cartographer.
Cartographers are mapmakers who measure, collect, analyze, research, study, and interpret geographic information provided by geodetic surveys, aerial photographs, and satellite data and prepare user-friendly maps and other spatial data (digital and graphic) for legal, governmental, social, political, design, urban and regional planning, and educational purposes.
The duties of a Cartographer include but are not limited to: collecting and creating visual representations of geographic data (annual precipitation patterns, population density, demographic characteristics, etc.); examining and compiling data from ground surveys, reports, aerial photographs, satellite images, remote sensing, geodetic surveys, and light-imaging detection and ranging (LIDAR—topography-mapping lasers attached to planes or cars) technology; preparing thematic maps (digital or graphic) for environmental and educational purposes; creating maps using geographic information system (GIS) technology to support environmental studies, geology, engineering, land-use planning, business marketing, etc.; displaying spatial information in digital format; creating interactive online and mobile maps; updating/revising existing maps and charts; designing and evaluating user interfaces for GIS and mapping systems; calibrating cameras and other tools used to collect map data; conducting research; and teaching at universities.
High school students interested in becoming a Cartographer benefit from taking Geography, Physical Science, Earth Science, Physics, Algebra, Geometry, Calculus, Trigonometry, Computer Applications, Art, and Drafting. Students entering Cartography Bachelor's of Science programs from high school with no previous Cartography training should expect a period of four years to complete said program. Once experience and education requirements are met and the qualifying exam is passed, Cartographers attain certification from the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS). Some states require Cartographers to be licensed as Surveyors.
Photogrammetrists are specialized mapmakers who plan aerial and satellite surveys and photographs for complete coverage of a selected area, collect and analyze spatial data (elevation, distance, etc.), and develop base maps that allow geographic information system (GIS) data to be layered on top. They must be familiar with remote sensing, image processing, LIDAR, and all software necessary to utilize these systems for the building of models of the Earth's surface and its features for the purpose of creating maps.
Due to the growing number of interactive mobile and web-based map products and the increased need to manage aerial, satellite, and LIDAR images and to ensure the reliability and accuracy of maps produced and updated, employment of Cartographers is projected to grow 20 percent over the next decade. Those working in national security and in local government planning should enjoy great growth opportunities.
Job Description
Median Salary & Range
Median Salary: $58,840
Salary Range: ~$36,390 - $94,780+
College Majors & Attainment Routes
Conventional routes to becoming a Cartographer have been to major in Cartography, Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Environmental Science, Geography, Geomatics, Surveying, Computer Science, Engineering Physics, Forestry, Urban/City and Regional Planning, Applied Physics, Applied Mathematics, Earth System Science/Geoscience, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Environmental Physics, Geographic Information Science, Applied Science, Optical Engineering, Geology, Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technology, Mechanical Technology, Mining Engineering Technology, Landscape Design and Management, Applied Engineering Technology, Engineering Technology, Civil Engineering Technology, Architecture Technology, Landscape Architecture, Physics, Applied Technology, Advanced Technologies, Urban Studies and Public Policy, Building Construction Technology, Computer Information Science, Aeronautical Science, Aviation Science, Aviation Computer Science, Aeronautical and Industrial Technology, Applied Information Technology, Applied Design, Design Technology, Computer Engineering Technology, Computer Science Technology, Aviation Electronic Systems, Digital Design, or Visual Arts.
Coursework includes: Geography, Computer Programming, Engineering, Mathematics, GIS Technology, and Surveying.
Colleges That Provide Above Majors
Colleges and universities that have Cartography and related majors are: Alabama A&M University (Huntsville, Alabama); Alabama State University (Montgomery, Alabama); Tuskegee University (Tuskegee, Alabama); Philander Smith College (Little Rock, Arkansas); University of Arkansas Pine Bluff (Pine Bluff, Arkansas); Delaware State University (Dover, Delaware); Howard University (Washington, DC); University of the District of Columbia (Washington, DC); Bethune-Cookman University (Daytona Beach, Florida); Florida Memorial University (Miami Gardens, Florida); Florida A&M University (Tallahassee, Florida); Kentucky State University (Frankfort, Kentucky); Albany State University (Albany, Georgia); Clark Atlanta University (Atlanta, Georgia); North Carolina A&T State University (Greensboro, North Carolina); Fort Valley State University (Fort Valley, Georgia); Morehouse College (Atlanta, Georgia); Savannah State University (Savannah, Georgia); Jackson State University (Jackson, Mississippi); Dillard University (New Orleans, Louisiana); Grambling State University (Grambling, Louisiana); Southern University and A&M College (Baton Rouge, Louisiana); Miles University (Fairfield, Alabama); Oakwood College (Huntsville, Alabama); Talladega College (Talladega, Alabama); Xavier University (New Orleans, Louisiana); Bowie State University (Bowie, Maryland); Spelman College (Atlanta, Georgia); Benedict College (Columbia, South Carolina); Coppin State University (Baltimore, Maryland); Morgan State University (Baltimore, Maryland); University of Maryland Eastern Shore (Princess Anne, Maryland); Alcorn State University (Lorman, Mississippi); Mississippi Valley State University (Itta Bena, Mississippi); Rust College (Holly Springs, Mississippi); Tougaloo College (Jackson, Mississippi); Harris-Stowe State University (St. Louis, Missouri); Lincoln University (Jefferson City, Missouri); Central State University (Wilberforce, Ohio); Wilberforce University (Wilberforce, Ohio); Langston University (Langston, Oklahoma); Cheyney University (Cheyney, Pennsylvania); Prairie View A&M University (Prairie View, Texas); Lincoln University (Lincoln University, Pennsylvania); Elizabeth City State University (Elizabeth City, North Carolina); Fayetteville State University (Fayetteville, North Carolina); Johnson C. Smith University (Charlotte, North Carolina); North Carolina Tennessee State University (Nashville, Tennessee); Winston Salem State University (Winston Salem, North Carolina); Bennett College (Greensboro, North Carolina); Claflin University (Orangeburg, South Carolina); South Carolina State University (Orangeburg, South Carolina); Texas Southern University (Houston, Texas); Fisk University (Nashville, Tennessee); Saint Augustine's University (Raleigh, North Carolina); LeMoyne-Owens College (Memphis, Tennessee); West Virginia State University (Charleston, West Virginia); Lane College (Jackson, Tennessee); Norfolk State University (Norfolk, Virginia); Virginia State University (Petersburg, Virginia); Central University (Durham, North Carolina); Hampton University (Hampton, Virginia); Shaw University (Raleigh, North Carolina); Huston-Tillotson University (Austin, Texas); Texas College (Tyler, Texas); Voorhees College (Denmark, South Carolina); Bluefield State College (Bluefield, West Virginia); and Saint Paul's College (Lawrenceville, Virginia).
Available Scholarships
