Cartographer

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• the armed forces

University

You can take a degree in:

• geography
• geographical information systems (GIS)
• land surveying
• earth sciences
• oceanography

Employers may also accept degrees in other subjects like computer science, software engineering or graphic design.

A postgraduate qualification may help you to find work in a specialist field of cartography like GIS.

Entry requirements:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
• a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

The following apprenticeships may be relevant to this role:

• geospatial and mapping science specialist degree apprenticeship
• geospatial survey technician advanced apprenticeship

Entry requirements:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Work

You may be able to get into this job by starting as a trainee cartographic technician and working your way up.

Employers may expect you to have completed:

• an apprenticeship in geospatial surveying
• A levels in geography, art and design, mathematics or computing
• a relevant level 3 course

OtherRoutes

If you want to work as a cartographer in the armed forces, you can apply to become a geographic technician with the Army or the join the Royal Air Force an air cartographer .

When you leave the services, you could use your experience to find work in commercial cartography and mapping.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Skills:

• knowledge of geography
• maths knowledge
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• analytical thinking skills
• excellent written communication skills
• design skills and knowledge
• the ability to work well with others
• concentration skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• ambition and a desire to succeed
• the ability to read English
• excellent verbal communication skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• active listening skills
• knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to learn through your work
• knowledge of English language
• the ability to work well with your hands
• customer service skills

What you'll do:

Cartographers collect information about the geography of an area to design and produce maps, charts and plans.

In this role you could:

• use desktop publishing and specialist computer software
• design digital or paper based maps
• check maps and charts are accurate and to scale
• edit maps by adding or removing new roads, structures or landmarks
• collect and analyse data from remote sensors on satellites and planes
• use GIS to model and analyse landscape features
• plot the heights and positions of geographical features from photographs
• carry out surveys of the land, sea or coastal areas

Location : You could work in an office.

Salary:

Starter : £18,000
Experienced : £45,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

39 - 41 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings occasionally

Career Path:

With experience you could become a senior cartographer and manage mapping projects and staff.

If you specialise in working with GIS, you could apply for Chartered Geographer (GIS) status .

You could also work on a freelance basis as a consultant.