As the professional society for cartographers and geographic information science (GIS) professionals in the United States, the Cartography and Geographic Information Society has, since its establishment, worked to promote the scholarship and professional development of its future members, the today's students of cartography and GIScience. To this end, CaGIS provides a variety of scholarships and award opportunities, sponsors a map design competition, and publishes various career development publications. One of them is the Cartography and GIS brochure. The purpose of this brochure is to introduce young people to cartography and GIScience as the exciting, modern careers to be pursuing.

Experience shows that the career development process starts with our "tweens"--children between nine and 12-- and teens. The "Ask Dr. Map" column appearing in the ACSM Bulletin since 2003 has been written with the express purpose of making cartography and GIScience part of that world. Often whimsical and sometimes dealing with seeming trivia, the column's message is unmistakable: the modern professions dealing with collecting, analyzing, and visualizing spatial data are a serious business, one that has enormous potential for career development.

Recognizing that young students are more likely to respond enthusiastically to career development efforts, if the subject is presented as part of their world of interests, the Cartography and GIS brochure now under review will, for the first time, contain a section of questions that the very young might ask.  Here are a few examples of this new format:  

CartoCareers

Dear Dr. Map,

 
Q: What is GIS?  Will I be able to explain it to my friends and family in one sentence or less?

A: GIS stands for geographic information system. GIS’s are tools for answering scientific questions about maps, such as “where is…?” or “what is near…?” They are digital maps linked to information systems and databases, like GoogleMaps or MapQuest. That’s three sentences. Use the second one with your friends and family.

Q: What is cartography?  Aren't paper maps obsolete?

A: Cartography is the study or practice of making maps. While in the past, maps were drawn on paper and distributed in sheet series, books, magazines, and newspapers, now they are almost exclusive made by computer and published on the Internet. But of course the printed page is still very much around, so today computer-drawn maps also find their way onto paper. Paper maps are not obsolete, as they have many practical advantages over digital maps. For example, you can’t light a campfire or wrap fish with a digital map.

Q: I love maps, computers, and exploring.  What is my ideal career?

A: Might just be cartography! There is nothing better than finding a career doing something that you love to do. Try using one of the on-line job aptitude surveys. Many people who have come to me over the years came because a counsellor had told them that cartography was their ideal career. If that fails, there is always professional baseball or movie acting--not ideal, but acceptable.

Watch this space for the updated 2006 Careers in Cartography and GIS brochure!

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