|
Career Facts
Geography
What They Do:
Geography is concerned with studying the earth’s
topography and climate and how these affect people and living
things. Geographers analyze economic, social, and physical
resources while attempting to explain the relationships
between people and their environment.
Geographers analyze
physical and cultural phenomena from small land areas to
global occurrences. They examine locations,
places, movements of people, and human/environmental
interactions in different regions of the world. Careers that
investigate boundary problems, urban change, environmental
crises and market analysis allow a person with a geography
background to draw upon both their physical and cultural
training. Many geographers use geographic information
systems (GIS) technology to create computerized maps to
analyze population shifts, environment, and natural
resources which is then used to guide decisions.
Individuals with
careers in Geography sub-fields include:
-
Cultural Geography
studies variations in climate, vegetation, soil and
landforms and their implications for human activity.
-
Economic Geography
studies the distribution of resources and economic
activities
-
Mathematical
Geography studies Quantitative Research Methods in Geography
-
Medical geography
studies health care delivery systems, epidemiology and
effect of environment on health
-
Physical Geography studies climate, vegetation, soil and
landforms
-
Political geographers
are concerned with relationship of geography to political
phenomena
-
Regional geography
studies physical, economic, political, and cultural
characteristics of regions
-
Social geography
studies population distribution and how people live and
migrate over space in relation to physical features and to
other people.
-
Urban and
Transportation geography studies problems connected with
land use, transportation, water and sewage systems, housing,
industry, and commerce in cities and regional areas.
Who Would Enjoy a
Career in Geography:
People who have:
-
The urge to
understand the distribution and relationship between the
physical and human environments and phenomena.
-
A desire to find
solutions to human and environmental problems for the
betterment of humanity.
-
A desire to work
anywhere from office to field work – in teams or alone.
-
A desire to work with
other disciplines such as biologists, economists, geologists
and political scientists.
What They Earn:
There is great variability in earnings dependant upon
education, location and type of work and/or position.
According to the Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor
Statistics, the median annual earnings of Geographers were
$58,970 in May, 2004. Depending on position and
education, beginning salaries range from $24,677 to $54,221.
How Many Jobs
Available:
Geography is a broad field with varying jobs in the
discipline and its related fields. It is difficult to outline
job availability and earnings in general. Both local and
national statistics for individual careers may be reviewed
online through the Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor
Statistics
www.bls.gov It is recommended that related career fields
be researched at this site.
How Much
Schooling, Training, or Skill Development:
Students who graduate with an Associates Degree
transfer to four-year institutions to complete their degree
program. A Bachelor’s degree is required to teach in the
K-12 education system. Most entry-level jobs outside of K-12
education, require a master’s degree, although it is very
dependant on the job.
Related
Occupations:
Urban and Regional Planning, Aerial Photo
Interpreting, Cartography, Climatology, Oceanography,
Environmental Analysis, Geography, Global Positioning Systems,
Industrial Development, International Business, Land
Development, Maps, Meteorology, Demography, Recreation and
Regional Analysis, Rural Planning or Teaching.
What They Study
at LCC:
Follow the Curriculum Guide for Associate in Arts Degree with
a concentration in Geography
Links:
The Association of American
Geographers
U.S. Department of Labor,
Bureau of Labor Statistics
LCC Advising
|
