Where could drones take you?

There is no single correct path. People reach these careers through work, certificates, community college, university, the military, or starting a business, and many switch routes along the way.

1. Stage 1

   What you can do now

   • Read Drone Intelligence stories about AI and data
   • Try QGIS (opens in a new tab)

2. Stage 2

   High-school preparation

   • Statistics
   • Computer science
   • Biology / earth science
   • Geography

3. Stage 3

   Skills to build

   • Spreadsheets and Python
   • GIS
   • Image analysis and AI tools
   • Data visualization
   • Clear written reporting

4. Stage 4

   Certifications

   • FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate (minimum age 16)
   • Esri certifications
   • Data analytics certificates

5. Stage 5

   Portfolio projects

   • An NDVI or change-detection analysis
   • A dashboard of drone-collected data
   • A data story explaining findings

6. Stage 6

   After high school: choose a route

   Industry certificateUniversityCommunity college

   • Industry certificate

     Data analytics and GIS certificates.

     e.g. GIS certificate · Data analytics certificate

   • University

     Geography, data science, environmental science or computer science.

     e.g. Data science · Remote sensing

   • Community college

     GIS and computer science transfer programs.

     e.g. GIS technology

   Compare programs in Opportunity Radar

7. Stage 7

   Possible entry-level positions

   • Data technician
   • GIS technician
   • Image analyst

8. Stage 8

   Long-term careers

   • Remote sensing scientist
   • Data scientist
   • Geospatial product manager