Geodesy and cartography - handmade with a diploma in your pocket
One of the first maps of the world was created almost 2 thousand years ago. Much has changed in cartography since then, and yet—though modern maps have improved—there is still work and room for cartographers to show off. Surveyors are not inferior to them, who also take measurements and drawings. For although the size of the earth is finite, it can be counted and divided indefinitely. Therefore, many school graduates still choose these classes, linking their professional future with them. What awaits them? Let's see for ourselves.
Geodesy and cartography can be studied at technical colleges, academies, universities, as well as private schools. Education takes place in a two-stage system, i.e. consisting of the so-called Master's Degree (7 semesters) and Engineering (3 semesters). For those who feel that they can bring something new to this field of science, there is a third level, namely doctoral studies.
Site inspection and equipment installation
You don't have to be well educated to know what we have to go through before we can start learning. The hiring process.
In this case, this is not a difficult task. A few years ago, geodesy and cartography were of great interest among graduates of secondary schools and technical universities. Due to the great popularity, the universities often ran out of places. However, today it looks a little different. If in 2011, for example, eight people fought for one indicator at the AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow, then in 2017 there were less than two! This direction of study at the Military Technological University is still very popular, but only at the military school - where recently there were eight people per place. Only one student applied for one index during civic studies less than two candidates. It is even easier to get into correspondence and evening forms of education, where there are often not enough people willing to fill the lecture hall ...
However, before submitting documents, you should seriously think about which university to choose. The challenges faced by graduates of this field of study can be varied, so it would be good to find one that offers a specialization that provides a professional future in line with our expectations. As a rule, each university has its own offer. Specialties such as engineering and economic geodesy, property valuation and cadastre or geodetic measurements can be found in many places, but it is worth paying attention to real gems, such as: geoinformatics and remote sensing (AGKh, Military Technological University) or photogrammetry and cartography (Varshavsky Technological University, Military Technological University)).
Having chosen your own path, it remains only ... to go to college.
Taking measurements
When it succeeds... the easy way is over! After the walk, which is a process of recruitment, it is time for a difficult march with numerous climbs, and therefore for training. Anyone who expects simple, easy, and fun learning needs to change their attitude—or the pulpit, because it won't be easy.
There is a lot of science. Alumni point out that mathematics is ubiquitous (one engineer has 120 hours). And when you think that you have finished your acquaintance with the "Queen of Sciences" and you have your head above her - be sure, she will immediately remind you of her existence in one of the accompanying paragraphs ... physicsHowever, much less is planned, 90 hours of training in the first cycle. So if these two subjects are too tough for you, then get ready for a big dose of "plowing" - so that they do not suddenly take away your pleasure from studying.
Other basic items you can expect computer science and engineering graphicsbut they shouldn't be too problematic. In computer science, in particular, object-oriented design, databases and programming in geodesy, engineering graphics are, for example, the foundations of computer-aided design.
In specialized subjects you will find a lot of "geomatics": geomatics, geodesy (satellite, basic, astronomy), geodetic survey, engineering surveys, geodynamics and much, much more that awaits the thirsty "geoknowledge". .
During the course, you must complete a total of four weeks of training. And here we know from a trusted source that this is a good time to look for options for Assistance with resumes writingor even casual employment by profession, because the labor market for surveyors does not spare and there is nothing to look forward to if possible. Earlier work has its advantages - having worked for six years in the profession (and even having only a secondary education), you can pass a qualifying exam. Usually after graduation, you can apply for them after three years of work.
Graduates of geodesy and cartography also note the need Learning foreign languages. Even in Poland, the native language may not be enough, so it is better to take care of your competitiveness in advance. They will also strengthen their position in the labor market. Computer skills. The ideal solution is to combine geodesy and cartography with IT. These two directions work well together.
Conclusions from the results
Completion of studies and receiving a long-awaited diploma closes a certain chapter. Finally, we are allowed to forget about the difficulties associated with the huge amount of study, but there is more - work and pay. After graduation, you can stay at the university, work in an office, or be a surveyor in the field. The latter option is chosen most often.
And here it is necessary to mention the complex surveyor working conditions. This is not a position for a delicate, fragile person who avoids drafts, excessive sun and physical exertion. This occupation is associated with constant movement across the field, regardless of the weather. Our interlocutors talk about how they had to poke around in the ice, expose themselves to sunlight and a whole bunch of insects that are an integral part of the humid environment. This is a job for people who are good with a shovel. Because, as it turns out, the attribute of a surveyor is not a total station and not a staff, but a shovel. It's mostly handmade, so most surveyors are men.
Regardless of gender, most surveyors complaining about salary, specifying them as starvation and disproportionate to existing knowledge. We decided to check it out.
It turns out that the salary of an assistant surveyor fluctuates around PLN 2300 net. Surveyor and cartographer can count on earnings in the area PLN 3 thousand net. The salary depends on the company, experience and working hours. The last factor in the case of surveyors is very mobile, because eight hours a day is usually only the minimum that should be spent. On one of the forums we find the following entry: “I broke up with a guy after he started working as a surveyor. He was busy all the time." Our interlocutors confirm this. Here we have work, work and more work. There are also high earnings with not so big expenses, but we should rather talk about the happiness of the one who earned them.
Graduates of geodesy and cartography say there are two solutions to a decent life in the profession. First, trip abroad - in this case, we are already used to the fact that earnings there are much higher. Secondly, opening your own company. However, this can be done only after obtaining qualifications, i.e. after the above three (or six) years of work in the profession. By the way, many advise to do just that. escape from big citiesbecause the competition is huge.
The profit probably reflects that the market is currently saturated with surveyors. The very high interest in this area, which arose several years ago, led to the fact that many of its graduates “became” numerous, so competition in the labor market will remain at a high level for some time.
It cannot be denied that geodesy and cartography is a complex and responsible field that prepares students very well for their future profession. However, you should consider how much the investment of time spent on its completion will pay off.
