Profession cartographer

Cartographers create maps by combining various scientific informations depending of the purpose of the map (e.g. topographic, urban, or political maps). They combine the interpretation of mathematical notes and measurements with the aesthetics and visual depiction of the site for developing the maps. They may also work on developing and improving geographic information systems and may perform scientific research within cartography.

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Personality Type

Knowledge

  • Mathematics

    Mathematics is the study of topics such as quantity, structure, space, and change. It involves the identification of patterns and formulating new conjectures based on them. Mathematicians strive to prove the truth or falsity of these conjectures. There are many fields of mathematics, some of which are widely used for practical applications.

  • Geography

    The scientific discipline that studies the land, phenomena, characteristics and inhabitants of Earth. This field seeks to understand the natural and man-made complexities of Earth.

  • Geographic information systems

    The tools involved in geographical mapping and positioning, such as GPS (global positioning systems), GIS (geographical information systems), and RS (remote sensing).

  • Cartography

    The study of interpreting the elements depicted in maps, the measures and technical specifications. 

  • Geomatics

    The scientific discipline that studies gathering, storing, and processing geographic information.

  • Topography

    Graphic representation of the surface features of a place or region on a map indicating their relative positions and elevations.

Skills

  • Use geographic information systems

    Work with computer data systems such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

  • Create GIS reports

    Use relevant geographic informations systems to create reports and maps based on geospatial information, using GIS software programmes.

  • Compile GIS-data

    Gather and organise GIS-data from sources such as databases and maps.

  • Collect mapping data

    Collect and conserve mapping resources and mapping data.

  • Handle geospatial technologies

    Use geospatial technologies which involve GPS (global positioning systems), GIS (geographical information systems), and RS (remote sensing) in the daily work.

  • Improve user-friendliness

    Research and test new methods to make a product such as a website or map easier to use and understand.

  • Draft legends

    Draft explanatory texts, tables or lists of symbols to make products such as maps and charts more accessible to users.

  • Apply digital mapping

    Make maps by formatting compiled data into a virtual image that gives a precise representation of a specific area.

  • Execute analytical mathematical calculations

    Apply mathematical methods and make use of calculation technologies in order to perform analyses and devise solutions to specific problems.

  • Create thematic maps

    Use various techniques such as choropleth mapping and dasymetric mapping to create thematic maps based on geospatial information, using software programmes.

Optional knowledge and skills

ict system programming conduct scholarly research use software for data preservation legal research scientific research methodology geodesy collect data using gps report analysis results perform surveying calculations use digital illustration techniques conduct field work conduct quantitative research operate scientific measuring equipment apply desktop publishing techniques photogrammetry design customised maps geology perform scientific research use cad software archive scientific documentation design graphics process collected survey data surveying methods study aerial photos use traditional illustration techniques remote sensing techniques identify customer's needs assist scientific research surveying desktop publishing

Source: Sisyphus ODB