Is becoming a remote sensing technician right for me?
The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually willing to commit to pursuing the career. You don’t want to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do. If you’re new here, you should read about:
Still unsure if becoming a remote sensing technician is the right career path? Take the free CareerExplorer career test to find out if this career is right for you. Perhaps you are well-suited to become a remote sensing technician or another similar career!
Described by our users as being “shockingly accurate”, you might discover careers you haven’t thought of before.
How to become a Remote Sensing Technician
This is a typical military position, and therefore is subject to the same terms of becoming an enrolled member. An enlistment contract must be signed, which outlines a commitment to the forces for a certain number of years, as well as an acceptance of the military lifestyle. Members will be away from family, friends, and home for extended lengths of time, with the exceptions of vacation and leave. Included in this agreement is access to multiple military benefits.
Becoming a technician requires post-secondary education. The minimum education requirement for this position is a bachelor’s degree, although most technicians will pursue a graduate degree of some sort. Typically these degrees are in areas such as geography, cartography, civil engineering, natural sciences, and other related courses. During their studies, technicians will encounter courses in remote sensing and mapping that are directly related to this field. In some cases, technicians are able to specialize in remote sensing during their studies. These areas can be studied at any four-year institution. In addition, technicians will also have to attend seminars, conferences, and meetings whenever possible in order to stay up to date with technological advances and better researching methods.
Unlike other military positions, there is not a lot of on-the-job training for this position. Candidates will be expected to have a clear grasp of the expectations but may undergo traditional basic training for around two months, just like other enrolled members.
Communication skills are required in order to effectively work in a team environment while collecting data. Technicians must also be reliable, persistent, and ready for a challenge. Being able to pay close attention to detail is beneficial in this position. Work in this field often involves many hours in front of the computer collecting data, so being able to concentrate for long periods of time is important. Overall, technical skills and interest in technology and computer sciences will help in this position, as it involves extensive research using tools and the most recent technologies.
Although not required, it helps to have an interest in math, statistics, computer science, physics, chemistry, mechanical drawing, or art, as these fields are very relevant to this career path. All of these subjects can also be studied at any two- or four-year post-secondary institution, and even in high school. These courses may prove beneficial for those seeking to advance to leadership ranks.