1. What is Geography?
According to the Association of American Geographers,
Geography is the science of place and space. Geographers ask
where things are located on the surface of the earth, why
they are located where they are, how places differ from one
another, and how people interact with the environment.
There are two main branches of geography: human
geography and physical geography. Human geography is
concerned with the spatial aspects of human existence ‐ how
people and their activity are distributed in space, how they
use and perceive space, and how they create and sustain the
places that make up the earth's surface. Physical geographers
study patterns of climates, land forms, vegetation, soils, and
water. They forecast the weather, manage land and water
resources, and analyze and plan for forests, rangelands, and
wetlands.
Skills Related to Geography
Source: University of NC ‐ Wilmington
Project
Development
Interpersonal Research/Analysis Communication
Plan long‐term
projects
Interview skills Gather & organize
data
Summarize results
Develop project
designs
Understand group
dynamics
Examine data Write clearly
Write grant
proposals
Observe human
interactions
Conduct field
studies
Present/defend
position
Evaluation Recognize
similarities
Apply non‐intrusive
methods
Communicate
across cultures
Maintain records Surveying &
sampling
Computer modeling Understand
societies
Identify value
systems
Utilize statistical
applications
Read & construct
maps or graphs
Related Career Titles
Source: University of NC ‐ Wilmington
Aerial Photo
Interpreter
Facilities Planner Land Developer Urban/Regional
Planner
Demographer Zoning Investigator Env. Impact Analyst Hydrologist
Site Researcher Agricultural
Extension Agent
Forestry Technician Park Ranger Weather Forecaster Real Estate Agent,
Broker, or Appraiser
Environmental
Quality Specialist
Earth Scientist
Land Economist Soil Conservationist Air & Water Quality
Control Manager
Industrial Developer Peace Corp
Volunteer
Remote Sensing
Analyst
College/University
Professor
Wildlife Manager
Geographer Land‐Use Analyst Surveyor Ecologist Industrial Planner Natural Resources
Spec.
Travel
Agent/Specialist
Property Manager
Cartographer Geographic Area
Specialist
Location Expert Writer/Author Editor Health Services
Organization
Manager
Outdoor Guide Intelligence Agent
Systems Analyst Cartography
Compiler
Geographic Attache' Public Utilities
Specialist
Map Analyst Teacher Climatologist International
Business Rep
Geographic
Information
Systems
Map Curator or
Librarian
Traffic Manager International
Investment Analyst
Coastal Zone
Manager
Geophysics
Assistant
Map Editor Health Services
Planner
Transportation
Analyst
Community
Developer
Hazardous Waste
Planner
Computer
Programmer
Market Research
Analyst
Transportation
Manager
Computer
Cartographer
Geography Career Resources
GIS Opportunities
ESRI – http://careers.esri.com
GIS Jobs – http://www.gisjobs.com
GIS Careers – http://www.giscareers.com
GIS Job Clearinghouse – http://www.gic.org
Atmospheric Opportunities
AMS – http://www.ametsoc.org/pubs/careers.html
NASA Jobs ‐ http://www.nasajobs.nasa.gov
NOAA ‐ http://www.noaa.gov/jobs.html
General Geography Opportunities
American Assc. of Geographers (AAG) – http://www.aag.org/careers
Geo Business Association ‐ http://www.directionsmag.com/companies
GeoSearch, Inc ‐ http://www.geosearch.com
US Government ‐ http://www.fedworld.gov/jobs/jobsearch.html
IUPUI Geography Dept – http://www.iupui.edu/~geogdept
IUB Geography Dept ‐ http://www.iub.edu/~geog/main/careers.htm
Environmental Opportunities
Environmental Protection Agency ‐ http://www.epa.gov/careers
Students Conserving America ‐ http://www.thesca.org
US Dept of Agriculture ‐ http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/a9ag.asp
Environmental Jobs ‐ http://www.ejobs.org
Environmental Career Opportunities ‐ http://www.ecojobs.com