Geography
AREAS
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOGRAPHY
- Environmental Management
- Conservation
- Waste Management
- Environmental Regulation
- Emergency Management
- Outdoor Recreation Management
EMPLOYERS
- Federal and state government:
- Environmental Protection Agency, Departments of
Agriculture, National Forest Service
- Real estate developers
- Scientific and research groups
- Firms specializing in forestry, mining, engineering, environmental issues, waste
management, architecture, or surveying.
- Law firms
STRATEGIES
- Learn federal government job application process.
- Become skilled in related computer technology.
- Courses in biology and chemistry are a must.
- Take elective courses in botany, plant science, and wildlife.
- For a career in law, you must earn a graduate degree in law.
AREAS
CULTURAL & HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
- Cultural Resources
- 2Historic Preservation
- Historical Consultation
- Education
- Research
EMPLOYERS
- State, regional, and local government
- Federal government including: Central Intelligence Agency, Defense Mapping Agency,
Bureau of Census, Department of State, National Park Service
- Peace Corps
- Real estate developers
- Companies dealing with insurance, transportation, communications, and international
trade
- Scientific and research groups
- Museums
STRATEGIES
- Cultural and human geographers study the aspects of geography that relate to different cultures.
- They especially focus on cultural origins and movement and the cultural characteristics of regions.
- Learn federal, state, and local government job application process.
- Become skilled in related computer technology.
- Develop excellent communication and teamwork skills in order to work with historians and archivists in recreating the geography of the past.
- Learn how to conduct library research, make field observations, and interpret artifacts.
- A good foreign language background is necessary for field observations in other countries.
- Develop an open mind towards the language, history, customs, and culture of other countries.
AREAS
ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY
- Location Scouting
- Real Estate Analysis
- Transportation
- Agricultural Planning
- Travel/Tourism Planning
EMPLOYERS
- Federal, state, and local government
- Manufacturing, wholesale, and retail firms
- Public utilities
- Consulting firms
- Real estate developers
- Banks
STRATEGIES
- Economic geographers study the distribution of resources and economic activities within a certain region.
- They may use this information to advise organizations on where to build new facilities.
- Obtain business knowledge though coursework or related work experience.
- Learn to see all sides of a problem, including economic, social, political, and environmental.
AREAS
GEOTECHNIQUES
- Cartography
- Geographic Information Systems
- Remote Sensing
EMPLOYERS
- Federal government agencies:
- Departments of Defense, Interior, Commerce, Agriculture,
and State, Defense Mapping, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Central Intelligence Agency
- State and regional government agencies: Departments of Transportation or Agriculture
- Private industry including utilities, construction, engineering, energy, environmental
planning, and consulting firms
- Map publishers
- Colleges and universities
STRATEGIES
- Become skilled in related computer technology.
- Learn photography skills.
- Take courses in surveying and measurements, photogrammetry, technical mathematics,
drafting, statistics, optics, remote sensing, art, and graphics.
- Seek work-related experience such as internships, and summer or part-time jobs.
- Learn federal, state and local government job application process since most of these positions are in government agencies.
- Develop excellent communication skills.
AREAS
SOCIAL AND URBAN
- City/Regional Planning
- Housing Development
- Convention/Tourism
- Community Development
- Demography
- Transportation
EMPLOYERS
- City, county, and regional planning agencies
- State government
- Federal government agencies including: Agency for International Development,
World Bank, Department of Housing and Urban Development
Resea - rich organizations
- Private business
- Banks
- Industrial firms
- Public utilities
- Real estate developers
STRATEGIES
- Planners ensure that communities develop in an orderly way and that they have the services necessary to support them.
- Develop team work skills. Learn federal, state, and local government job application process.
- Local government is a large employer in this area. Maintain excellent
academic undergraduate record. Obtain master's degree in planning.
- Take courses in public administration or public finance.
AREAS
GEOGRAPHIC EDUCATION
- Teaching
- Research
EMPLOYERS
- Elementary/secondary schools, public and private
- Colleges and universities
STRATEGIES
- Obtain certification/licensure for public school teaching.
- Join National Council for Geographic Education and/or the Association of American Geographers.
- Complete a master's degree for community college teaching or a Ph.D. for college/university teaching and research.
- Specialize in an area such as quantitative research techniques, computer mapping, or natural resource management.
AREAS
PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
- Biogeography
- Natural Hazards
- Hydrology
- Weather and Climate
- Geomorphology
EMPLOYERS
- State and local government
- Federal government agencies including: US Geological Survey, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Forest Service, Bureau of Land
- Management, The
National Resources Conservation Service
- TV/Radio stations
- Agribusiness corporations
- Outdoor recreation companies
- Resource management agencies
- Research institutes
- Insurance companies
STRATEGIES
- Physical geographers study earth processes such as climate and weather.
- They also look at the impact of natural hazards such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes.
- Take courses in physics and chemistry.
- Develop excellent communication skills.
- Be willing to relocate to regions that have job availability.
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Bachelor's degree qualifies you for entry-level positions in government and industry.
- Master's degree qualifies you for community college teaching and advancement in industry and government.
- Ph.D. is required for research and teaching positions in colleges and universities and senior positions in government and industry.
- Geography provides a broad foundation for future career endeavors.
- Obtain volunteer, part-time, summer, internship, or co-op experience in your area of interest.
- Join professional organizations such as the American Geography Society or the National Council for Geographic Education.
- Become a member of groups directed toward improvement of natural resources or environment and pollution control.
- Computer knowledge is becoming extremely important in geography. Obtain experience with geographic information systems and computer-aided drafting(CAD).
- Develop strong mathematical and statistical skills.
- Develop skills and interest in mapping, graphics, and charts. An interest in photography may prove beneficial.
- Develop good communication skills.
Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of
Tennessee, Knoxville. (2005) UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA
Employer
