PrintThe geospatial professional is a “knowledge worker” or “symbol analyst” (a term used by the U.S. Department of Labor) who carries out multi-step operations, manipulates abstract and complex symbols and ideas, acquires new information efficiently, and remains flexible enough to recognize change. Successful knowledge work requires intensive study, practice, and commitment. Professionalism in the area calls for a broad experience and understanding of the basic concepts of the profession. The individual who is only interested in technology, important as it is, is therefore not fully professional. Nor is the technical expert ipso facto a professional.