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

   • Explore mapping missions in Drone Discovery
   • Practise photos → map → progress report in TerraForge (opens in a new tab)
   • Read airspace before planning a map (opens in a new tab)
   • Try free GIS software (QGIS) (opens in a new tab)

2. Stage 2

   High-school preparation

   • Geometry & trigonometry
   • Geography / earth science
   • Computer science
   • Statistics

3. Stage 3

   Skills to build

   • Mission planning for overlap and GSD
   • Photogrammetry (e.g. WebODM)
   • GIS (QGIS/ArcGIS)
   • Ground control and accuracy checks
   • Map design

4. Stage 4

   Certifications

   • FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate (minimum age 16)
   • Esri technical certifications
   • ASPRS certifications
   • Professional Land Surveyor (long-term)

5. Stage 5

   Portfolio projects

   • An orthomosaic of your campus
   • A 3D model with measured distances and volumes
   • A StoryMap explaining a local issue

6. Stage 6

   After high school: choose a route

   Industry certificateCommunity collegeUniversityStraight to work

   • Industry certificate

     GIS certificates are short and in demand.

     e.g. Online or community-college GIS certificate

   • Community college

     Survey and GIS technician programs.

     e.g. GIS/geospatial technology programs

   • University

     Geomatics, geography or remote sensing degrees.

     e.g. Oregon Tech B.S. Geomatics

   • Straight to work

     Start as a survey or GIS technician and learn on the job.

     e.g. Survey crew technician

   Compare programs in Opportunity Radar

7. Stage 7

   Possible entry-level positions

   • UAS mapping technician
   • GIS technician
   • Survey technician

8. Stage 8

   Long-term careers

   • Geospatial analyst
   • Photogrammetrist
   • Licensed land surveyor
   • Remote sensing scientist