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.

Personality Type

• Realistic / Investigative

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

Source: Sisyphus ODB