WHAT IS GEOGRAPHY?
Geography is the study of people, places, and environments, including physical and cultural elements. Geography is a broad and integrating field that bridges physical and cultural environments in its approach to scientific inquiry.
Geographers must understand the interdependence of human activities and natural and cultural environments. Geographers work in the areas of cartography, geographic information system, remote sensing, urban and regional planning, housing and community development, retail site location, computer mapping, environmental analysis, climatology, and resource conservation.
WHAT ARE THE EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS?
Geography students can expect to study the Earth's surface and the processes that change it; the relationships between people and environments; and connections between people and places. This includes an interdisciplinary curriculum of applied, social and biological sciences. Specific courses we've seen include:
- Cartography
- Geographic Information Systems
- Remote Sensing
- Urban and Regional Planning
- Environmental Analysis
- Climatology
- Resource Conservation
- Air-Photo Interpretation
- Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
- Land-use Analysis
- Sediment Analysis
- Statistics
- Topographic Surveying
CAREERS AND SALARY OUTLOOK
Geography graduates typically work in a variety of fields because their analytical techniques are applicable to a wide range of occupations. There are positions in the private, public and nonprofit sectors, where Geography graduates offer broad perspectives on environment and society. Specific job titles we've seen include:
- Air Quality Analyst
- City and Regional Planners
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Career and Academic Guidance
from EnviroEducation.com
 NAU Geography student Toby Shackelford is working toward his BS. Here, he shares his perspective on the environment and his education. >>>
 If you want succeed in natural science, it takes a naturally-occurring curiosity. Interview with Barbara Ryan, USGS Assoc. Director of Geography. >>>
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- Appraiser for a real estate corporation
- Climatologists
- Business Analyst in a corporation
- Conservationists
- Data Analyst for an insurance company
- Economic Development Consultants
- Demographic Analyst
- Environmental Analysts and Managers
- Engineer, Photogrammetric
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Analysts
- Historic Preservationists
- Land-Use Analysts
- Location and Market Analysts
- Spatial Data Analysts
- Teachers at all levels
- Water Resources Analysts
The Bureau of Labor Statistics includes a number of job descriptions that would match the skills acquired by Geography graduates. For example, BLS reports that the median annual earnings for surveyors, cartographers and photogrammetrists in 2002 were $42,870, with the middle 50 percent between $32,580 and $55,610. For other related occupations, please visit the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook and search for Geography.
RELATED AREAS OF STUDY
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