The term “remote sensing” refers to the collection of data or information while a researcher and his instruments are not present. When researchers study the earth’s surface, the instruments used to collect data are frequently located far from the area being studied. A person can collect data and analyze it in a variety of remote sensing jobs using instruments such as satellites, radar, sonar, special cameras, and scanners. Mapmaking, environmental science, hydrology, urban planning, and geology, to name a few, are all examples of this type of work.
Remote sensing jobs are available in a variety of settings, including academia, federal and state governments, as well as the commercial and private sectors. There are even jobs available in magazines dedicated solely to remote sensing and GIS, or geospatial information systems. Aerial photographers, who assist surveyors and mapmakers by taking photographs of the earth from a plane, and photogrammetrists, who analyze the aerial photos, are examples of remote sensing jobs. A GIS analyst creates a representation of the earth’s features using graphic skills and tools. Geophysicists look at data to see if there are any changes in the earth, such as major earthquakes. Remote sensing jobs are also available in education, where qualified instructors will prepare students for careers in the field.
People who work in remote sensing jobs collect data that is used in a variety of applications, including archeology. Ground-penetrating radar was used by archeologists today to create a virtual layout of an unexcavated site. During World War I, the military used aerial photography, a type of remote sensing, to visually trace the route of Mesopotamia’s early canals. The discovery that the Sahara desert was formed by water a long time ago was made possible by a modern satellite. Ranchers and farmers use remote sensing for a variety of reasons, including locating grazing areas and pinpointing diseased crops.
Professional organizations are a good place to look for remote sensing jobs. In many parts of the world, including Europe, Canada, and the United States, there are hundreds of such organizations. Because governments frequently use the data produced by remote sensing, government agencies are good places to look for work. Transportation, planning, geology, and the environment are examples of these types of jobs. Graduate students may have a better chance of finding remote sensing jobs at universities.
Applicants for entry-level positions must have at least a bachelor’s degree. Some colleges offer associate’s degree programs in various aspects of remote sensing, such as GIS or surveying, but most remote sensing jobs require additional education. A bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, as well as a degree in geology or forestry, would be beneficial.