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How to become a Cartographer

Cartographer jobs

Cartographer courses

Career progression and salary expectations for a Cartographer

Trainee Technician

| Up to £18,000

Cartographer

| Up to £30,000

Senior Cartographer

| Up to £50,000

The role of a Cartographer

What does a Cartographer do?

Want to get your career all mapped out? You should become a Cartographer… Cartographers collect detailed information about different geographical areas to help design, update and produce maps.They could work on everything from atlases, Satnav and roadmaps, through to military, maritime and conservation maps. Cartographers also create charts, graphs, diagrams, surveys and spreadsheets, to help put across complex information.Typical duties for a Cartographer include:

Collecting and analysing data
Using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to map out landscape features
Choosing layouts, fonts, and other bits of formatting
Using specialist computer software to design and produce maps
Updating current maps with new features
Ensuring everything they produce is easy to consume, up-to-date and to scale

Is a career as a Cartographer right for me?

If you’re looking to become a Cartographer, you’ll need a high level of attention to detail, as well as excellent research skills.You’ll also need to be able to remain objective at all times, focussing on usability and improving the overall user experience, rather than trying to fit in the entire output of your research. Unfortunately, not everything you do can be legendary… (and other incredibly witty Cartography-type jokes).Other key skills for a Cartographer could include:

A keen interest in geography
A good eye for colour, layout and design
Excellent problem solving skills
Good spatial awareness
Analytical skills
The ability to colour inside the lines (possibly)

What's it like to be a Cartographer?

"My job is all about collecting and analysing data, and trying to figure out the best way of putting it all across. I love working with really complex information, and trying to break it down in a way that’s not only visually appealing – but actually makes things easier for the user. Although, for some reason, people still think I just sit and draw maps all day. The only thing that frustrates me is when people complain that we haven’t included a new feature, and they call to complain – usually just to be told they’re using an old or outdated version. It’s like, we can help get you from A to B, but we can’t update your Satnav for you…"

Get qualified as a Cartographer

To become a Cartographer, you’ll generally need a degree in Geography, or in another related field, such as geophysics, oceanography or earth sciences. However other subjects may be accepted, depending on the employer, and entry is also possible through completing a HND or foundation degree, or through joining a traineeship.

Recommended Cartography courses

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