Area |
Employer |
Information/Strategies |
Environmental Geography |
- Environmental Management
- Conservation
- Waste Management
- Environmental Regulation
- Emergency Management
- Outdoor Recreation Management
|
- Federal and state government:
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Departments of Agriculture
- National Forest Service
- National Park Service
- Real estate developers
- Scientific and research groups
- Waste management companies
- Chemical companies
- Firms specializing in forestry, mining, environmental issues, or surveying
- Law firms
|
- Become skilled in related computer technology.
- Take biology and chemistry courses for environmental management positions.
- Take electives in plant science, forestry and wildlife management for careers in recreation and forestry management.
- Join environmental organizations on campus and in your community.
- Seek environmental-related experience through internships, summer or part-time jobs.
- Learn federal government job application process.
- Earn a law degree for work areas such as environmental law and policy.
|
Cultural and Human Geography |
- Cultural Resources
- Historic Preservation
- Historical Consultation
- Community Development/Redevelopment
- Education
- Research
|
- State, regional, and local government
- Peace Corps
- Real estate developers
- Companies dealing with insurance, transportation, communications, and international trade
- Scientific and research groups
- Museums
|
- Develop an open mind towards the language, history, customs, and culture of other countries.
- Learn how to conduct library research, make field observations, and interpret artifacts.
- Learn a foreign language for field observations in other countries.
- Participate in cross-cultural groups and organizations.
- Develop excellent communication and teamwork skills in order to work with historians and archivists in recreating the geography of the past.
- Obtain related experience in your area of interest through volunteer or paid positions including internships.
- Become skilled in related computer technology.
- Learn federal, state, and local government job application process.
|
Geographic Technology |
- Cartography
- Geographic Information Systems
- Remote Sensing
|
- Federal government agencies:
- Department of Defense
- Department of Interior
- Department of Commerce
- Department of Agriculture
- Department of State
- Defense Mapping
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Central Intelligence Agency
- State and regional government agencies:
- Departments of Transportation or Agriculture
- Private industry including telephone, utilities, construction, engineering, energy, environmental planning, and consulting firms
- Map publishers
- Mapping software companies
- Colleges and universities
|
- Take courses in surveying and measurements, photogrammetry, computer systems, database management, technical mathematics, drafting, statistics, optics, remote sensing, art, graphics.
- Learn to be detail-oriented.
- Gain experience reading maps and interpreting data sources including geological surveys and satellite images.
- Seek related experience, such as a part-time job or internship, to develop technical skills.
- Investigate federal, state, and local government job application process.
|
Planning |
- City/Regional Planning
- Housing Development
- Convention/Tourism
- Community Development
- Demography
- Transportation
- Waste Management
- Conservation
|
- City, county, and regional planning agencies
- Local and 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
- Architecture firms
- Real estate developers
|
- Develop team work and communication skills.
- Participate in student government.
- Take courses in public administration or public finance.
- Observe city/county advisory meetings.
- Seek internship or work experience in a local government office, as they are a large employer in this area.
- Learn federal, state, and local government job application process.
- Obtain master's degree in planning.
- Earn a dual degree in planning and law.
- Research the certified planning credential obtained through the American Institute of Certified Planners.
|
Physical Geography |
- Biogeography
- Geomorphology
- Natural Hazards
- Weather and Climate
- Hydrology
- Environmental Regulation
- Waste Management and Disposal
|
- State and local government
- Federal government agencies including:
- US Department of Agriculture
- 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
|
- Develop strong analytical and communication skills.
- Take courses in physics, chemistry, soil science, agriculture.
- Take courses like weather systems, atmospheric dynamics, thermodynamics, physical meteorology for more job options in meteorology/atmospheric science.
- Gain experience through part-time jobs, internships or volunteer opportunities related to climate, weather or natural hazards.
- Be willing to relocate to regions that have job availability.
|
Economic Geography |
- Location Scouting
- Real Estate Analysis
- Transportation
- Agricultural Planning
- Travel/Tourism Planning
|
- Federal, state, and local government
- Market research firms
- Manufacturing, wholesale, and retail firms
- Public utilities
- Consulting firms
- Real estate appraisers and developers
- Banks
|
- Develop strong communication skills.
- Take business courses such as economics, advertising, marketing, finance, statistics to increase marketability in the field.
- Earn a business minor.
- Learn to see all sides of a problem, including economic, social, political, and environmental.
- Observe city/county advisory meetings.
- Obtain business or planning-related work/volunteer experience to build contacts and increase marketability.
- Consider earning a master's degree in planning.
|
Geographic Education |
|
- Elementary/secondary schools, public and private
- Colleges and universities
|
- Develop strong communication skills, both oral and written.
- Seek volunteer or paid experiences, such as camp counselor or tutor, with target age group.
- Research state standards for certification.
- Obtain certification/licensure for public school teaching.
- Obtain multiple certifications for increased employability.
- Specialize in an area such as quantitative research techniques, computer mapping, or natural resource management.
- Join National Council for Geographic Education.
- Complete a master's degree for community college teaching or a Ph.D. for college/university teaching and research.
- Maintain a high grade point average and build strong faculty recommendations to prepare for graduate school.
|
General Information and Strategies
- 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.
- Maintain knowledge of current environmental issues including policy, conservation, and industry trends.
- Computer knowledge is extremely important in geography. Obtain experience with geographic information systems.
- 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.
|