Not only is geography a versatile subject to study, but it can also lead to a rewarding career. Careers in geography can be divided into two categories: those that deal with human geography and those that deal with physical geography.
Human geography is the study and documentation of how people interact with the environment in which they live. Urban planning, marketing, transportation, real estate, and tourism are all possible careers for someone with a degree in human geography.
Land planning, forestry planning, the study of wetlands, water resources, weather forecasting, and land management are all possible careers for someone with a physical geography degree. They may also work in urban planning or the study of land forms, soils, water, climates, and climate patterns. Cartography, or the study of maps in its most basic form, is another field that a geographer might consider.
Many careers in geography begin in local, state, or federal government. Non-profit organizations are another place to look for a job in geography. Because geography includes urban planning, for example, a person with a bachelor’s degree in geography can work for a for-profit company or corporation that deals with various aspects of real estate or land development.
Anyone who is interested in the environment and how people affect it might find geography to be a rewarding career. Groundwater pollution, deforestation, desertification, and global warming are all topics studied geographers.
There are also geography careers available in a variety of educational settings. An instructor at a community or two-year college could be someone who has at least a master’s degree in the study of geography. Those with a PhD in geography or a related field may be able to work as college or university professors.
While still in college, many geography students find their niche while completing field work for their respective programs of study. Internships are also beneficial for geography majors who frequently work as interns for government agencies. Internships are frequently known to lead to careers in geography.
Geographers frequently employ computer software programs and specialized systems, such as GIS (Geographic Information Systems). Geographic information systems (GIS) assist geographers in analyzing data and determining the best solutions for their land and resource needs. As a result, having an interest in technology and computer systems is beneficial. Some geographers may also be able to work in a paleoecology lab, which studies and tracks climate change and other environmental changes.
GIS analyst, conservation director, data manager for national parks, and environmental compliance specialist are examples of other geography jobs. The American Association of Geographers has more information on geography careers, as well as everything else related to geography (AAG). The AAG is a global organization with members from all over the world who share information about geography and publishes two scholarly journals.