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If you’ve ever spent time as a child (or an adult!) thinking about the power you would unravel knowing every inch of the Earth exactly - you could be a geodesist! Geodesy is a scientific field of mapping and measurement related to the Earth, that’s at the forefront of all things precision. Sometimes also referred to as the art of measuring our planet, geodesy is at the core of numerous applications in our daily lives - from seamless navigation to satellite technologies for communication.
As is true for many geo-related fields, becoming a geodesist requires a strong scientific aptitude and often an interdisciplinary attitude. If this has sparked your interest, GoGeoGo will tell you more in here about geodesy, its study and its job prospects.
So let’s get started!
As mentioned above, geodesy is the science of measuring a planet, in this case our Earth, with a high degree of accuracy. More specifically, geodesy involves the measurement of three fundamental properties of the Earth, namely:
These properties are measured as unique values, as well as how they change over time.
Let's try to understand this through an example. We are all connected through cell phones and the Internet. However, its success depends heavily on the efficient use of geodetic data to map where and how many cell towers should be placed to optimise coverage to reach everyone. Calculating this would require extensive information about the population density of different locations, as well as factors such as terrain. This is only possible through the science of geodesy! Fascinating, right?
Geodesists and geologists both study the Earth, but their focus and methods of investigation are very different. While geodesy involves the measurement and mapping of the Earth's core properties, geology is a branch of science that deals with the measurement of the physical properties of the Earth, such as rocks, their composition, and how they change over time, as well as the processes that take place on the Earth. It is often referred to as the ,,primary earth science".
As society moves toward high-precision data about everything around us, geodesists play a critical role. They are trained to develop and apply advanced technologies to map and measure spatial data with precision and consistency. Their work is critical to a wide range of fields, from environmental monitoring to urban planning, telecommunications, agriculture, infrastructure development, and more.
Within these fields, there is a wide variety of jobs that typically require someone with geodetic knowledge and skills. The focus of these jobs can be anything from surveying, engineering, research, geospatial information, GPS specialisation, modeling, environment, astronomy, etc. - all through a geodetic lens.
So when you're searching job sites and job boards for positions that would fit a geodesist, the titles you'll want to look for are Geodetic Surveyors, Satellite Geodesists, Geodetic Modelers, etc.
Like most other geospatial fields, geodetic surveyors are extremely popular and relevant. Geodetic surveyors are responsible for measuring large portions of the Earth's surface using advanced tools and technologies such as satellite systems, Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), to name a few.
Typical responsibilities include calculating accurate estimates of positions on the Earth's surface; conducting surveys to measure elevations, depressions, lines, contours, areas, volumes, and other features; and following project specifications for survey data collection. In general, surveyors benefit from a math or engineering background along with knowledge of technical software such as CAD.
Let’s look at the two most popular vacancies in surveying in a little more detail:
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Survey technicians, also known as land surveyors, are typically tasked with assisting surveyors and engineers with data collection and measurement. Much of their work is hands-on, using equipment such as 3D scanners, survey poles, prism poles, etc.
The main responsibilities of this job include:
Surveyors, or simply civil engineers, work in teams with land surveyors and use the information they gather to plan the next steps of a project. They are largely involved in conducting surveys, including measuring, assessing, collecting, and analysing geospatial data using advanced methods. The data collected is about both the natural and man-made infrastructure of specific areas of land.
The job is best done in a hybrid format, with both field visits and desk work, allowing for location flexibility. The standard duties of a geospatial engineer include:
So far we've discussed what the overarching role of a geodesist can be depending on the field in which they are employed. While some roles will naturally differ between fields, such as between urban planning and environmental monitoring, much remains consistent.
The typical roles and responsibilities of a geodesist can be as follows
Geodesy is a widely studied field at the university level. Often clubbed with geoinformatics, Germany offers several excellent courses at the bachelor level at the best universities. These are often generalist programs that offer topic-specific courses from different departments. Common core modules may include one or more of the following
These universities also offer students the opportunity to take electives in other geospatial fields to broaden their profile, ranging from remote sensing to hydrography, photogrammetry, land management, and more. Compulsory internships are also a regular feature of these programs and provide a great entry point into the industry.
University courses in geodesy are often considered challenging. Especially when studied in combination with an engineering or other technical specialization, the course can require long and dedicated hours. Let's try to break this down.
If you're someone who feels confident in these skills, you may find the study of geodesy rigorous, but not necessarily difficult.
If you already know where your interests lie at the beginning of your studies, you can also choose one of the geodetic specialisations in the bachelor's program, e.g. surveying. A bachelor's degree in surveying is very popular in Germany and includes courses in cartography, geodesy, geoinformatics, physics, etc. These programs focus on measuring, organizing, and analysing data about land features and surfaces.
They usually require a strong aptitude for mathematics and an interest in science, geology, and computer science. Geodesy is often taught in a traditional classroom setting and combined with fieldwork. So if you prefer a very hands-on course of study, this could be a good option.
For people with additional responsibilities or those looking for a career change, distance learning courses in geodesy are also a viable option. Although fewer in number, there are distance learning courses in geodesy offered by leading German universities that provide the same core knowledge and technical skills needed to build a career in the field.
One always has the option of supplementing these with an advanced university degree to make their profile more competent.
Germany is also home to excellent master's programs in geodesy. While TU Dresden and Bochum University of Applied Sciences offer specialized M.Sc. programs in geodesy, most other universities continue to offer master's programs that combine geodesy with geoinformatics, geoinformation, geodetic engineering, etc.
These programs are usually 4 semesters long and can be completed in 3–8 semesters.
Geodesy graduates are skilled professionals who can build diverse careers in the broad geospatial information sector. A bachelor's or master's degree in geodesy enables one to contribute to and eventually lead the planning and implementation of geospatial projects.
For those with more technical aptitude, there are also careers in the design and development of advanced tools and software, such as sensor systems. Common fields of work include, but are not limited to, urban planning, agriculture, construction, automotive, remote sensing, etc.
Geodesy also offers the flexibility to work as a civil servant, employee, or entrepreneur. Common jobs in the public sector include surveying or spatial planning. If the entrepreneurial life sounds exciting to you, you can also start your own consultancy in the field of geodetic data analysis.
After graduation, you can plan and implement geo-information systems, e.g. in urban planning and construction, and work on the development of geodetic sensor systems. Your training will also enable you to work in international teams and successfully apply scientific methods to complex problems.
You can also work in medium-sized service companies, e.g. in the field of basic geodata collection, data analysis and visualization, or as a consultant.
Let’s now take a look at the salary range you can make as a geodesist.
The average salary across all expertise levels in the geoscience sector is 48,000 € and can go up to around 74,000 € on the higher end.
Geodesists have a starting salary of around 36,000 €, and the average salary is around 52,400 €.
Surveying engineers are one of the highest paid professionals in this industry with the starting salary being around 39,000 € and going up to 77,000 € per annum.
Surveying technicians have a starting salary of around 28,000 €, which typically goes up this 46,000 € with experience.
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Lastly, your educational background also makes a difference to your earnings. Your earnings can go as high as about 75,000 € for experts in the field.
Geodesy is the high-precision science of Earth measurement - geometry, gravity, and orientation - that prepares you for a variety of careers in data mapping, measurement, surveying, navigation, and monitoring. Typical job titles in these fields range from geodetic surveyor to satellite geodesist.
Geodesy is a highly sought after degree at the undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as through distance learning. It can often be challenging and rewarding, equipping you with strong technical knowledge and skills that prepare you for roles in the public and private sectors, as well as entrepreneurship.
If you're ready to start your journey in geodesy, go to GoGeoGo now to find exciting opportunities that fit the bill!
What software skills are typically required for geospatial jobs?
Jobs in the geodesy sector often require a working knowledge of some software tools that are regularly used to work with geospatial data, such as GIS tools, CAD, or other geospatial modeling tools. New hires are expected to be familiar with the tools and eager to learn on the job.
How has geodetic technology advanced in recent years?
Geodesy has been positively impacted by the technological innovation that the world is currently experiencing. We're constantly innovating and evolving with new technologies such as LiDAR, advanced satellite systems, and most recently, AI-driven data analytics, which is a breakthrough for all data work in general.
Is geodesy as a sector affected by climate change?
Climate change has a direct impact on the field of geodesy and its focus on tracking measurements over time through factors such as changing sea levels, droughts, earthquakes, etc. These climate changes are the focus of huge adaptation efforts and therefore need to be tracked, mapped and measured more frequently for accurate results. This also yields a growing number of climate jobs.
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