Career Paths in GEOGRAPHY

It may be difficult to imagine right now, but soon you will be making decisions about your education that will determine your employability. What can you do with a degree in geography?

As it turns out, a lot. In fact, numerous employers across the economic spectrum hire geography graduates because of their employability and transferable skills. Among many other sectors, geography graduates find themselves working in resource development, public policy, sustainability, and real estate. (View geography-related jobs.)

Preferring one sector over another is natural and generally leads you to an entry-level position in a particular field. Your career path will consist of a series of professions that build, one upon the other, and that connect to a specific sector of the economy. In geography, there are several sectors. Let's break them down into eight sectors: Travel, Leisure, and culture; Environment and sustainability; the business world; Development and global issues; Settlement; Society; Physical systems; and finally, Geographical techniques.

The following are examples of career paths for each of the above geographic sectors. It is important to note that even though you may specialize in one of these sectors, most often the skills and experience gained from a profession in a single sector can be transferred to another sector.

Travel, Leisure, and Culture

Expeditions Leader ￫ Expeditions Coordinator ￫ Expeditions Manager

Travel expeditions have always been popular. Whether it be white water rafting, rock-climbing, or mountaineering, each of these expeditions require the skills of a geographer.

An expeditions leader leads groups of patrons or individuals on a journey of their choosing. They carry out their duties as specified in their contract, under the direction of an expeditions coordinator.

An expeditions coordinator sometimes leads groups of patrons on journeys, but also participates in the planning phase of expeditions. Expeditions coordinators ask questions such as: Where will the expedition take place? What is the best route for the expedition? What food should we bring? How will we get drinking water? What type of shelter is most suitable for this expedition? A main focus of their job is to ensure that the expedition leaders are well equipped for their expeditions.

An expeditions manager works between the owners of expedition companies and expeditions coordinators. Their duties involve recruiting personnel, training personnel, marketing expeditions, and adhering to the rules of running a business. Working with expeditions coordinators, they plan specific routes for expeditions and ensure that their patrons always leave satisfied.

Environment and Sustainability

Park Ranger ￫ Park Manager ￫ Park Administrator

A park ranger works in a national or provincial park. They monitor the integrity of the park ecosystems, as well as the locations of potentially dangerous wildlife. It is not uncommon for park rangers to drive trucks and snowmobiles, as well as paddle a canoe or snowshoe in the winter. They report to the park manager.

A park manager also works in a national or provincial park. Their duties involve recruiting park personnel and ensuring that the park's equipment is maintained and in working condition. They are also responsible for ensuring that the laws that govern Canada's parks are followed, including the preservation of wildlife habitats. Most importantly, park managers report to park administrators, who are tasked with looking at the bigger picture of parks in an area.

A park administrator doesn't work in any one particular national or provincial park. They often visit multiple sites every season and assist and train park staff in new protocols and procedures. A park administrator is responsible for several parks in a large area. They are tasked with looking at the bigger picture of the integrity of the park's ecosystems and identifying any risks that pose a danger to the health of wildlife habitats. They report to senior management of the national or provincial parks.

The Business World

Salesperson ￫ Transport/Logistics Manager ￫ Location Analyst

A salesperson is tasked with selling a specific product or suite of products. Their knowledge base of the product is deep and their ability to communicate with others is exceptional.

A natural promotion from sales is into management. In this example, a transport/logistics manager is responsible for ensuring the cost-effective delivery of a product or service to a patron. They work with people tasked with selling, delivering, and problem-solving in order to ensure a company operates at an optimal level of productivity.

A location analyst is a professional tasked with understanding the spatial attributes of a particular place or area. In short, they know how to identify the physical and human aspects of a place, from climate features and mineral resources to the educational attainment of its population and life expectancy. Location analysts provide information to individuals and companies alike and help them achieve their goals.

Development and Global Issues

Armed Forces ￫ United Nations Peacekeeper ￫ United Nations Refugee and Asylum Officer

Working in the armed forces requires strength, stamina, and above all else, perseverance. Duties vary depending on the area of specialization. Members of the armed forces follow orders from those in higher positions of command.

A United Nations peacekeeper works in a conflict zone. As part of an international force, peacekeepers place themselves between opposing factions in an effort to establish the conditions for peace-making. Travelling to distant lands with foreign cultures is demanding. Therefore, peacekeepers receive training to help understand the different emotions they may feel while on and off duty in the conflict zone.

A United Nations refugee and asylum officer works for the United Nations. They may work in refugee camps or in an office setting in Geneva, Switzerland. In short, this position requires a geographer to apply judgement when assessing an asylum-seeker's application for refugee status. Additionally, they help to maintain order in a refugee camp and help ensure that the basic needs of asylum-seekers are met.

Settlement

Construction Worker ￫ Land Surveyor ￫ Urban Planner

Construction workers work on different projects. They might be working on a bridge or a building, but they are always working in teams and with tools. They are responsible for the quality of their work and the safety of their work environment.

A land surveyor produces specific types of maps for specific purposes. They work both indoors and in the field. While in the field, land surveyors gather geographic information by taking precise measurements using sophisticated instruments that calculate position, elevation, and distance. In the office, they produce maps with the data they have gathered.

An urban planner works in cities. They tend to work in close relation with municipal governments if not directly employed by governments. Urban planners design space. In teams, they decide how a city should be built, and where the city should locate its various features while respecting existing zoning and environmental legislation.

Society

Community Worker ￫ Social Policy Researcher ￫ Human Resources Officer

A community worker administers and implements a variety of community services and assists clients in dealing with personal and social problems. They act as representatives of groups from disadvantaged communities and work with community groups to help develop and maintain resources, programs, and support networks.

A social policy researcher focuses attention on immigration, law enforcement, human rights, foreign aid, and international development issues. They identify and assess demographic, social, and economic developments and develop social programs and legislation in response to those developments.

A human resources officer develops, implements, and evaluates human resources and labour relations policies, programs, and procedures. They advise managers and employees on policies and benefits programs, typically work in an office, and are employed across many different industries.

Physical Systems

Meteorological Technician ￫ Meteorologist ￫ Oceanographer

A meteorological technician observes weather conditions and provides meteorological information and advice to the public. They spend at least part of the day in an office preparing reports and analyzing data. They inspect and service weather equipment and provide weather information to the community, including farmers, pilots, and news media.

A meteorologist analyzes and forecasts weather and conducts research into the development of weather, climate, and atmosphere. Most meteorologists work in offices where they share weather forecasts and reports with the general public and test mathematical computer models of weather and climate.

An oceanographer studies the movement of ocean waters, analyzes their properties, and investigates their effects on climate. They conduct research and go on expeditions to learn how the ocean functions, and study the ocean's properties to develop mathematical computer models.

Geographical Techniques

Land Survey Technician ￫ Cartographer ￫ Archaeologist

A land survey technician conducts surveys to determine the exact locations and relative positions of natural features and other structures on Earth's surface. They keep records, measurements, and other survey information in order to assist in preparation of detailed drawings and plans.

A cartographer studies and creates maps and graphs. They generate maps and related graphs using digital mapping techniques, and conduct field studies when further information and photographs may be required to complete a project.

An archaeologist studies past human civilizations by looking at recovered artifacts, such as carvings, architecture, and even human bones. They document findings and write reports for their peers and the general public and study ancient artifacts to reconstruct past economic, social, political, and intellectual life.