What can I do with this degree?
GEOGRAPHY

AREAS

ENVIRONMENTAL GEOGRAPHY

- Environmental geographers are concerned with how human beings use the earth and impact the environment.

• 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, 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

STRATEGIES

• 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 & HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

- Cultural and human geographers study the aspects of geography that relate to different cultures.  They especially focus on cultural origins and movement and cultural characteristics of regions.

• Cultural Resources
• Historic Preservation
• Historical Consultation
• Community Development/Redevelopment
• Education
• Research

EMPLOYERS

• State, regional, and local government
• Peace Corps
• Real estate developers
• Companies dealing with insurance, transportation, communications, and international trade
• Scientific and research groups
• Museums

STRATEGIES

• 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

- Geographers utilize a variety of technologies to generate maps, store, analyze and interpret map information.

• 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 telephone, utilities, construction, engineering, energy, environmental planning, and consulting firms
• Map publishers
• Mapping software companies
• Colleges and universities

STRATEGIES

• Take courses in surveying and measurements, photogrammetry, computer systems, database management, technical mathematics, drafting, statistics, optics, remote sensing, art, and 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

- Planners ensure that communities develop in an orderly way and that they have the services necessary to support them.

• City/Regional Planning
• Housing Development
• Convention/Tourism
• Community Development
• Demography
• Transportation
• Waste Management
• Conservation

EMPLOYERS

• 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

STRATEGIES

• Develop teamwork 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

- Physical geographers study earth processes such as climate and weather.  They also evaluate the impact of natural hazards such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes.

• Biogeography
• Geomorphology
• Natural Hazards
• Weather and Climate
• Hydrology
• Environmental Regulation
• Waste Management and Disposal

EMPLOYERS

• 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

STRATEGIES

• Develop strong analytical and communication skills
• Take courses in physics, chemistry, soil science, and agriculture
• Take courses like weather systems, atmospheric dynamics, thermodynamics, and 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

- 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.

• Location Scouting
• Real Estate Analysis
• Transportation
• Agricultural Planning
• Travel/Tourism Planning

EMPLOYERS

• Federal, state, and local government
• Market research firms
• Manufacturing, wholesale, and retail firms
• Public utilities
• Consulting firms
• Real estate appraisers and developers
• Banks

STRATEGIES

• Develop strong communication skills
• Take business courses such as economics, advertising, marketing, finance, and 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

- Geography teachers may specialize in one or more areas of the discipline or incorporate it into a social science education program.

• Teaching
• Research

EMPLOYERS

• Elementary/secondary schools, public and private
• Colleges and universities

STRATEGIES

• 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

• 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 becoming 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.

Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (1995, Revised 2003, 2007)  UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA Employer