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James Moy, Cartographer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n“As a cartographer, I consider it a success if the updates to a chart are accurate and justified, reviewed by another with little or no revisions, and is deemed useful and safe for the public.<\/em>“<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"James](\"https:\/\/nauticalcharts.noaa.gov\/updates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/james-moy-chart.png\")
As a NOAA cartographer, one of James Moy’s primary tasks is to update, query, and maintain a national, navigational geodatabase<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat is your position at NOAA?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nMy current position is that of a cartographer for NOAA\u2019s Marine Chart Division (MCD). My primary role is to update, query, and maintain a national, navigational geodatabase. One example of such a task is updating the shoreline of a specific area, and uploading the changes to the central geodatabase. This geodatabase is important for National Ocean Service<\/a> nautical products and services, which are distributed for the marine public. Another role of mine is to support NOAA\u2019s shift to prioritizing electronic navigational charts<\/a> (ENCs), and its efforts to re-scheme the ENCs<\/a>. To accomplish such tasks, I work with a skilled production team, while also cooperating with other various expert groups and individuals at NOAA. By working and learning with everyone, I am able to produce the best possible nautical charts and data for the public as a cartographer.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat do you find most challenging about your role?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe most challenging aspect about my role as a cartographer is that things change constantly. Whether it is the work assigned, the workflow itself, or the people we work with, there is always something new to learn at NOAA. A methodology used to update a chart may not be the same as another. For example, every geographical area is different from another due to regional nuances. New\/revised policies and standards may need to be considered. New\/updated technology\/software may need to be introduced and adapted. All of these challenges are what make it so interesting to work at NOAA!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do you have any tips for someone interested in the field or is a rookie at NOAA?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nFrom my experience as both an intern, a contractor, and a federal employee, I would recommend following these tips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Always do your best, and try to exceed expectations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Always respect others, even if you do not really know them.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Learn as much as you can from everyone.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Ask questions.\u00a0 Do not be afraid\/embarrassed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Take \u2018good\u2019 notes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Keep an open mind.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Be professional.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Mistakes will happen.\u00a0 Forgive yourself, and learn from them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
What college did you attend, what was your major?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nI attended college at the University of Maryland College Park (UMD) with a major in geospatial information systems (GIS). I received my bachelor\u2019s of science in GIS in 2016. Then, through the combined bachelor\u2019s and master\u2019s program, I acquired my master\u2019s of science in GIS in 2017. While I was in college, I also worked as a teaching assistant for several classes, and as an intern at NOAA. Working at NOAA allowed me to not only apply the GIS knowledge I learned at UMD, it also gave me the opportunity to learn and develop new skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do you define success?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nSuccess is achieving something you want through an open mind, hard work, enhancing skills, discipline, passion, and a lot of luck. As a cartographer, I consider it a success if the updates to a chart are accurate and justified, reviewed by another with little or no revisions, and is deemed useful and safe for the public. It is even more of a success if I am able to learn from what I did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do you have a motto or personal montra?
<\/strong>My motto is: \u201cIf you always do your best, and respect others, someone will notice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\nOne instance that this applied to me was when I was in college. I was attending a cartography class for a professor that I had not had before. Another student was asking the Professor a question. After the student had finished talking with the professor, I respectfully offered an additional solution to his problem. With the professor overhearing, he noticed my knowledge and professionalism, and offered me a position as his teaching assistant for the upcoming winter term. As I was still an undergraduate student, I had never taught as a teaching assistant before. However, with the professor\u2019s support, I took on the job. By working to the best of my abilities, I went on to be a teaching assistant for several classes, and I received the Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Ever wonder what it\u2019s like to be a member of the NOAA Coast Survey team? We use the Coast Survey spotlight blog series as a way to periodically share the experiences of Coast Survey employees as they discuss their work, background, and advice. James Moy, Cartographer “As a cartographer, I consider it a success if the … <\/p>\n
“As a cartographer, I consider it a success if the updates to a chart are accurate and justified, reviewed by another with little or no revisions, and is deemed useful and safe for the public.<\/em>“<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n What is your position at NOAA?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n My current position is that of a cartographer for NOAA\u2019s Marine Chart Division (MCD). My primary role is to update, query, and maintain a national, navigational geodatabase. One example of such a task is updating the shoreline of a specific area, and uploading the changes to the central geodatabase. This geodatabase is important for National Ocean Service<\/a> nautical products and services, which are distributed for the marine public. Another role of mine is to support NOAA\u2019s shift to prioritizing electronic navigational charts<\/a> (ENCs), and its efforts to re-scheme the ENCs<\/a>. To accomplish such tasks, I work with a skilled production team, while also cooperating with other various expert groups and individuals at NOAA. By working and learning with everyone, I am able to produce the best possible nautical charts and data for the public as a cartographer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What do you find most challenging about your role?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The most challenging aspect about my role as a cartographer is that things change constantly. Whether it is the work assigned, the workflow itself, or the people we work with, there is always something new to learn at NOAA. A methodology used to update a chart may not be the same as another. For example, every geographical area is different from another due to regional nuances. New\/revised policies and standards may need to be considered. New\/updated technology\/software may need to be introduced and adapted. All of these challenges are what make it so interesting to work at NOAA!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do you have any tips for someone interested in the field or is a rookie at NOAA?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n From my experience as both an intern, a contractor, and a federal employee, I would recommend following these tips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n What college did you attend, what was your major?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I attended college at the University of Maryland College Park (UMD) with a major in geospatial information systems (GIS). I received my bachelor\u2019s of science in GIS in 2016. Then, through the combined bachelor\u2019s and master\u2019s program, I acquired my master\u2019s of science in GIS in 2017. While I was in college, I also worked as a teaching assistant for several classes, and as an intern at NOAA. Working at NOAA allowed me to not only apply the GIS knowledge I learned at UMD, it also gave me the opportunity to learn and develop new skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How do you define success?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Success is achieving something you want through an open mind, hard work, enhancing skills, discipline, passion, and a lot of luck. As a cartographer, I consider it a success if the updates to a chart are accurate and justified, reviewed by another with little or no revisions, and is deemed useful and safe for the public. It is even more of a success if I am able to learn from what I did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do you have a motto or personal montra? One instance that this applied to me was when I was in college. I was attending a cartography class for a professor that I had not had before. Another student was asking the Professor a question. After the student had finished talking with the professor, I respectfully offered an additional solution to his problem. With the professor overhearing, he noticed my knowledge and professionalism, and offered me a position as his teaching assistant for the upcoming winter term. As I was still an undergraduate student, I had never taught as a teaching assistant before. However, with the professor\u2019s support, I took on the job. By working to the best of my abilities, I went on to be a teaching assistant for several classes, and I received the Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Ever wonder what it\u2019s like to be a member of the NOAA Coast Survey team? We use the Coast Survey spotlight blog series as a way to periodically share the experiences of Coast Survey employees as they discuss their work, background, and advice. James Moy, Cartographer “As a cartographer, I consider it a success if the … <\/p>\n\n
<\/strong>My motto is: \u201cIf you always do your best, and respect others, someone will notice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n