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
Historic 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
Research 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