is mapping a carreer?

#1 If your company will be providing maps for people then you have no problem =) If you are starting a game development company then you can, of course, use your skills to create maps for your company's project. However, you might have a hard time attracting a team as a mapper unless you have a great portfolio, a solid game design, and a clear understanding of how you need to run your company. If you are looking for employment as a mapper in general, then I can tell you that it is quite common in the industry to have people who's only job is to create maps. If you have a good portfolio you might want to approach some game companies.

#2 sweet i already know heaps of programmers etc etc from working on mods so this should go pretty good.

#3 Dude ofcourse. many game developers/ game designers start by being either game testers, or level designer.
example Cliff Bleszinski from epic game was the level designer for unreal franchinse and now he is game designer for gears of war.

Therfore ofcourse mapping skills are good .....


Good Luck dude, wish you the best


Mehdi Aghakazem