Professional Development

The geospatial professional has grown sufficiently to support a large number of professional societies and associations. Some have a public sector focus, some an academic/research focus, and others a commercial focus; they may also be organized around particular applications or disciplines. Most of these organizations encompass remote sensing in one form or another, especially as a source of data or an analysis tool. However, few of these organizations focus on the technology of remote sensing or photogrammetry itself: the design and deployment of sensors, processing of sensor data into usable GIS products, development of tools for large-scale production and analysis of digital imagery and elevation data, etc. The American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) and the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS) are the two most important sources for information and professional development in these specific areas of interest.

American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS)

ASPRS was founded in 1934 by a small group of like-minded pioneers in a unique and emerging field. Today, over 7000 individuals worldwide are members. Students in this course may have joined ASPRS to get a discount on the course textbook. There are many other ways that ASPRS membership can support professional development and career advancement.