I found out this week that NIU is one of only about five universities in the United States with an award winning cartography department, and is internationally recognized.

GIS is NOT cartography, and I am not interested in cartography as a career direction, but it is neat to know that NIU's Geography department is of such a high caliber.

A cartographer is going to be making maps all day; almost like a commercial artist at an ad agency. A GIS professional will most likely be in a business environment, working alongside other IT professionals, finding answers to business related questions.