Spatial data can be found in many business processes and work flows today. Geospatial technologies are constantly innovating, and social pressures and environmental concerns are driving new solutions and applications. The pace of change is increasing, and austerity measures around the world are causing new forms of spatial data use to rise as demanding challenges become more prevalent. A perfect storm for the geospatial community is on the horizon and approaching, and it is hungry for people with geospatial knowledge, skills and eagerness to participate. What do you consider to be the hottest jobs in the geospatial sector today?
Spatial data can be found in many business processes and work flows today. Geospatial technologies are constantly innovating, and social pressures and environmental concerns are driving new solutions and applications. The pace of change is increasing, and austerity measures around the world are causing new forms of spatial data use to rise as demanding challenges become more prevalent. A perfect storm for the geospatial community is on the horizon and approaching, and it is hungry for people with geospatial knowledge, skills and eagerness to participate. What do you consider to be the hottest jobs in the geospatial sector today?
We are rapidly approaching a new vista – a new opening into the future – one where geospatial technologies and knowledge will move from a plateau toward increased innovation and use. The combination of economic challenge, decreased public funding and previous technological development are poised, to spark the next wave for the geospatial sector. This will demand new jobs. Here are some that I think will be in demand.
1) Spatial Information Manager – field technologies connect to the office now, social media use is widespread, and the generation of new spatial from all of these corners is rapidly exploding. Most organisations will need to get a handle not only on spatial data created internally, but the huge amounts external to the organisation that impact organisational processes. This is more than data management, it means a high need for people who understand spatial data and how the dots connect. Those who master this will compete the best – and will win.
2) 3D Spatial Analysis – rapid expansion of 3D visualisation, lidar and surveying instrumentation that creates 3D data and the development of true 3D GIS, all place us into 3D frameworks. So far we have barely touched 3D spatial analysis (though the medical industry has greater experience). It does not make sense to continue using lidar and laser scanning technologies without rapidly innovating through spatial analysis of all that data. Indeed, modeling will require improved 3D understanding.
3) Cartographer – most people think of maps in terms of 2D visualisation. But 3D changes all that, and so does virtual reality (VR). The rich blend of real data and modeled data holds the promise for creating new forms of visual cartography. This knowledge will help us not only to make next generation maps, but help us to use spaces, view spaces and learn about spaces in design as well.
4) Spatial Measurement Specialist – these people will know which geospatials tools to apply to a problem and how to acquire the needed data to answer the question. The tool used is not as important as the ability to assess and understand the problem and the most efficient way to measure it. For example, a landscape study might involve satellite imagery, airborne imagery, UAVs or manual measurements. Which is needed, why?
5) Geo-Social Coordinator – this person has a handle on all things social media. But they also know how geospatial tools and technologies link to social media. Able to move through different environments, and to develop new possibilities for distribution of spatial data, these people will be particularly savvy when it comes to a wide range of smartphones for geospatial use.
6) Spatial Thinking Educators – looking around today in many countries we can see that spatial information has become more ingrained in governments. That means policy is now being directly impacted by geographic information systems (GIS), computer-aided design (CAD) and remote sensing technologies providing information. While governments understand as a matter of e-government, pushing awareness and capacity down to the masses requires educators and connecting with teaching.
7) Remote Sensing Developer – we have experienced a large number of earth observation satellite launches in recent times. Projections are for even a greater number. While improvements in resolution are the pre-dominate gain, the frequency of information acquired from satellites is triggering a lot of activity in terms of continuous monitoring and assessment. That is leading not only toward the ability to link policy-to-imagery directly, but the need to manage and analyze huge amounts of imagery in news ways, for multi-disciplinary purposes and efforts to ‘mashup’ satellite imagery.
These are just a few of the ways that new jobs will arise with changing circumstances. I am sure there are more.
