Geography Jobs

 

Most people are familiar with what geography is--the study of location--but not many could explain what geographers do. Jobs in this field cover a broad spectrum of areas and specialties that are all somehow related to location. Geography careers can be much more rewarding and interesting than looking at maps all day. In fact, a lot of the people who study and work in the field started out doing something else before they stumbled into geography and realized there's more to it than memorizing facts like the state capitals. This common misconception mostly comes from they way geography classes are set up in middle and high schools.

Geography jobs are out there for nearly all education levels. The most basic positions only ask for a high school degree or certification. Travel agents, for example, fall into the category of geography. In many states, an individual can become a surveyor with an associate's degree or related experience. Surveyors measure land, usually for planning purposes, or to find the exact location of a property line. Many other positions require a bachelor's degree, master's degree, or more. With higher education, there are a lot more doors opened for job opportunities in geography.

A wide variety of industries employ people in geography positions. They include education, manufacturing, meteorology, business, real estate, publishing, government, urban planning, science, forestry, and more. Because of this range, geographers may find themselves working in a classroom, an office building, or outside in the field as opposed to working from home. Some work directly in mapping, as most people would imagine when they picture a geographer. Others locate natural resources, find the ideal location for a company's headquarters or real estate development, work in the social sciences, or analyze data and write reports, among other things.

 

Geography also draws from a number of other academic disciplines. It is most closely related to politics, history, sociology, economics, environmental sciences, and history. That makes this a good field for someone who is interested in how these things are interrelated and influence one another. Oftentimes, geography also involves numbers and statistics. Cultural geography studies how people and lands or locations are related by utilizing the social sciences mentioned above. On the other hand, physical geography is concentrated on the physical features of the Earth. It is more related to things like cartography and climatology, for example. Conservation is also a growing focus within geography.

Job Listings and Resources in Geography

Geography Jobs

GIS Jobs Clearinghouse

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GeoCommunity Career Center

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Geospacial Connections

Earthworks-Jobs

Natural Resources Job Search

GIS Jobs

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