Geography

What Can I Do With A Major In Geography?

"Geography is the only subject that asks you to look at the world and try to make sense of it. The field never stops being exciting, because that's what geography is all about-trying to make sense of the world."

Peirce F. Lewis, Professor Emeritus of Geography, The Pennsylvania State University

Geography provides a broad-ranging perspective on humans as inhabitants and transformers of the face of the earth. The search for this understanding involves thorough study of the physical earth, its habitation by humans, and the resulting diversity of regions and places. Geographers study the physical earth by examining the interlocking systems of the natural environment, including climate, landforms, soils, and biota. Humans are studied by examining those diverse historical, cultural, social, economic, and political structures and processes that affect the location and spatial organization of population groups and their activities. Regions and places, whether described as nations, cities, ecological units, or landscapes, are studied by integrating and interpreting their physical and human relations in an effort to better understand them and the problems that they face.

Geographers are often found working in business, industry, government, and education. Geographers are called upon to help understand and restore natural ecosystems; manage natural and urban environments; investigate sustainable land use worldwide; analyze the evolving relationship between people and places; become involved in diplomacy or intelligence; plan transportation routes; create Geographical Management Systems for industries and governmental agencies; apply their skills as cartographers; teach; and much more. No academic discipline offers a greater range of employment opportunities.

A Sample of Related Occupations

Types of Employers

Related Web Links

• The University of Montana Department of Geography
• The Association of American Geographers
• Directory of Salary Surveys on the Web

Professional Associations

• American Association for the Advancement of Science
• The American Geographical Society
• American Planning Association
• The Association of American Geographers
• National Council for Geographic Educations
• National Geographic Society
• North American Cartographic Information Society
• Association of Asian Studies
• Middle Eastern Studies Assocation

For additional career information, see the Occupational Outlook Handbook