'You can't use an old map to explore a new world." Albert Einstein

"As a cartographer, you'll be involved with the scientific, technological and artistic aspects of developing and producing maps."

Cartography is the study and practice of making maps and a Cartographer is the compiler of maps. Technologial advancements have contributed to the increase in precision of making maps. The employment of cartographers and expected to grow 15% from 2018 to 2028. This is one of the job fields that is currently experiencing high demand, with an anticipated 29% job growth rate through 2024.

Overview career of Cartography

Name of the course: Cartography Course Level: Undergraduate, Diploma, Specialization, Post Graduation Duration: 3 years Eligibility: Passed 10+2 in any relevant stream Admission Process: Varies across universities Job Positions: Trained professionals cartographers (map makers), GIS specialists, analysis, Scientists,Researchers, Professors, teachers etc. Salaries : Upto 3 lakhs to 6 lakhs per annum

Education Qualification A student wishing to pursue a career as a Cartographers needs to take admission to a three-year undergraduate course with cartography as one of the main subjects at this level after passing 10+2 in any stream. The admission in this course is available in almost all the art colleges on a first come first serve basis. However, some colleges take an entrance test to provide admission to the undergraduate course in cartography as one main subject.

Graduation Entry

After graduation degree of 3 years he/she can take up a Master’s Degree / M.Phil. / Ph.D. At higher levels of education one can choose specializations, to become a cartographer one must opt for a specialized course in Geography with Cartography as an option.

Post Graduation Entry

Once a candidate is done with a Master’s or PhD with Geography and Cartography as a specialization they can look forward to great career opportunities in this field.

The Skills Required are Good record keeping skill Critical analytical thinking Sketching skill Computer skills Spatial aptitude Photography

Courses in India

Certification Level courses in Cartography – This is a Certificate Course in Cartography which can take up to 3 months or 1 year as per choice. A candidate must have passed class 12th to apply for this course. Diploma Level courses in Cartography – Diploma in Geoinformatics is a two to three years course for 10+2 passed students Graduate Level courses in Cartography – At a graduation level candidates can opt for B.E. Geoinformatics which is a four-year course and is for students who have passed their 10+2 examination. B.Tech in Geoinformatics – A candidate who has qualified the higher secondary examination can also opt for this four-year course in order to pursue their career in the field of cartography. B.Sc in Geography – A three-year graduation degree in geography can be pursued after the completion of class 12th examination. B.A. in Geography – Candidates can also pursue a bachelor in arts with geography as major subjects after class 12th.

MASTERS LEVEL COURSES IN CARTOGRAPHY

Post Graduate Diploma in Geographical Cartography M.A. Geography M.E. Geoinformatics M.Sc. Geography M.Sc. Geoinformatics M.Tech. Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System (GIS)

Top Colleges in India Annamalai University, Chennai- Master of Science (MSc) Geo-Informatics Indian Institute of Surveying & Mapping, Hyderabad - M.Tech (Geomatics) / MSc(Geospatial Sciences) Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay Jamia Millia Islamia University, Delhi - Diploma in Cartography Osmania University, Hyderabad - Diploma in Geographical Cartography Pandit Ravi Shankar Shukla University, Raipur - Post Graduate Diploma in Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System

Foreign Institutes for Cartography

Brigham Young University – United States - Bachelor in Cartography Florida State University – United States - Master in Cartography Moscow State University of Geodesy and Cartography (MIIGAiK) Texas A & M University – United States - Bachelor in Cartography University of Wisconsin- Madison – United States - Bachelor in Cartography and

Experienced Cartographers also get employment as instructors, professors, and researchers at schools, colleges, and in universities. Surveying fields and compiling geographic political, and cultural information in order to prepare maps of large areas.

Pay package: From Rs.15,000 to Rs.20,000 and with higher degree or overseas jobs one can get anywhere near Rs.5,00,000 to Rs.10,000,00 per year depending upon the organization. Once a person has enough experience in this field one can earn as good as Rs.50,000 per month and more.In May 2018, the median salary for a cartographer was $64,430, with the middle 50% making between $51,180 and $82,810 each year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Courtesy: GCC Univariety