When you begin your journey as a geomatics engineering student in Nepal, you’re often unaware of the storm of uncertainty that awaits you after graduation. The truth is—very few talk about it, and even fewer prepare you for it. This post is a window into that struggle: a blend of frustrations, missed opportunities, and systemic flaws, but also a call to action, a spark of hope, and a set of benchmarks for those coming after us.
The Crossroads After Graduation
Even before the final semester, many students begin to feel the weight of impending decisions. The rush to clear the licensing exam becomes a temporary escape—until reality hits: What next? The anxiety stems not only from choosing the right path but also from the reality that each option is laden with its own set of hurdles. Whether you dream of becoming a Napi Adhikrit, making a mark in the private sector, furthering your education, or charting your own path, the challenges begin long before you officially graduate.
Path 1: The Job Hunt and All That Comes Before It
The Internship Trial
If you are pursuing your geomatics degree from Kathmandu University (KU), the path to employment begins in your final semester with a mandatory internship. With recent increase in the number of graduating geomatics engineers, securing an internship in the already niche field of geomatics has become increasingly competitive. Those with personal connections or networks may find opportunities more easily, but the majority face a tedious and often fruitless cycle of applications, interviews, and rejections. Without dedicated guidance, exploring opportunities abroad remains an uphill battle.
Tip: Start looking for internships at least a semester early. Reach out to alumni, email companies, and if you can, try for international internships . Some tech organizations such as NAXA offer remote internships too—don’t ignore them.
While internships are the first hurdle, the real challenge begins when you enter the job market, which is unfortunately the very first step into professional life for geomatics engineers graduating from anywhere outside of KU.
Full-Time Employment Realities
As graduation approaches, the stark realities of the job market begin to set in. Fresh graduates in geomatics engineering often find themselves confused: should they begin preparing for the Loksewa exams or start applying to private institutions? While trying for jobs in the private field, there’s the dilemma of choosing between roles that align with personal interests—such as field surveys or tech-focused positions—or settling for whatever job is available.
Field survey roles, while common, come with their own set of challenges: long hours, unsafe accommodations, limited logistical support, and safety concerns—especially for female engineers. Tech or research-based positions are limited in number and fiercely competitive. Many graduates face a job market filled with underwhelming salary offers, minimal professional growth, and a lack of mentorship.
For many, government roles like Napi Adhikrit are the ultimate goal—promising stability, respect, and a steady income. But the path is far from easy. With only 10–15 seats available annually and over 300 candidates competing, the odds are steep. Moreover, for those with a strong interest in technology and innovation, government roles often come as a disappointment. These positions tend to focus more on administrative tasks and are mired in bureaucracy.
Suggestion: If you lean towards the tech side, invest in learning practical tools like GIS programming, Python, and web-GIS development. Build individual projects to highlight your learnings.
If you’re eyeing government roles, start preparing early for the Loksewa exams. Be strategic—review past questions, join preparation groups, and stay updated with changes in the exam pattern. Also, working as a geomatics instructor in polytechnic institutions can help you kill two birds with one stone—earning a living and preparing for the exams.
Path 2: Furthering Your Education
The Disconnect in Local Master’s Programs
For many, the next thought is to pursue a master’s degree. But here in Nepal, the courses often seem designed for those who are already established in their careers and are looking for a promotion. Coupled with the lack of infrastructure in Nepal, they don’t prepare you for cutting-edge research happening globally.
The Harsh Global Reality
When aspiring for a foreign degree, the overwhelming comparison between your undergraduate experience and the scenario abroad can be disheartening. Globally, advancements in remote sensing, computer vision, and machine learning reveal just how outdated some local teachings are. The realization that your academic journey barely scratches the surface of today’s technological demands can leave you frustrated, even regretful.
Advice: Begin preparing early if you plan to study abroad. Shortlist universities. Watch out for deadlines and schedule your IELTS/GRE exams accordingly. Scholarships are competitive—you need time to prepare. Collect relevant documents for foreign travel in time.
During your undergraduate, work on projects outside your syllabus. Contribute to open source. Enhance your exposure to modern tools and technologies well. Keep up with the latest advancements in your field of interest.
Also, juggling a full-time job while preparing applications is exhausting. Burnout is real. But if you stay consistent, it is possible.
Path 3: Entrepreneurship – The Road Less Traveled
Taking a Leap of Faith
There is a bold, less trodden path for those who see themselves as pioneers—launching your own consultancy or startup. It sounds tempting, that promise of working on projects that excite you and possibly even changing the way we do things in geomatics. However, entrepreneurship in Nepal’s geomatics sector comes with significant challenges: securing seed funding, establishing credibility, and acquiring clients in a market where personal connections often play a decisive role.
Starting your own venture means tackling every aspect of the business—from building client trust during the day to debugging web-GIS portals at night. Even when you succeed in getting your startup off the ground, the journey is steeped in uncertainty and constant hustle.
A word to the brave: If entrepreneurship appeals to you, start by gaining industry experience through internships at established firms to learn the ropes and understand the market. At the same time, seek guidance from a mentor who has navigated the terrain before you—someone who can offer practical insights and direction.
Also, never stop networking. In a place like Nepal, where the landscape can be chaotic, breaking through takes persistence, but once you do, the possibilities are endless.
Finding Hope Amid the Struggle
The journey of a geomatics engineering fresher in Nepal is undeniably tough—fraught with uncertainty and challenges at every turn. Yet, amid the challenges, there is room for hope and opportunity. Whether you decide to dive into the job market, pursue advanced studies, or forge your own entrepreneurial path, each route comes with its own rewards and lessons. By preparing early, building your skill set, and staying resilient, you can transform these struggles into the foundation for a successful and fulfilling career.
Remember, while the system may currently seem full of errors, and you’ve not yet resected your end goal with the precision of a well-calibrated total station, your potential to bring change is not limited to any coordinate system.
Free yourself from Gunter’s chains and soar like a drone into your future, where your path is mapped not by faded field books, but by the boundless sky of innovation.
To future geomatics students in Nepal—brace yourself, but don’t shy away. The road is tough, but those who prepare, persist, and push boundaries will shape the future of this field. Explore beyond your textbooks. Learn to code. Understand GIS tools. Build projects. Contribute to open source and research. Connect with people globally. And most importantly, plan ahead—for everything.
