Careers in Geography

Presented by Clark University Career Services

Why Major in Geography?• Geography is a lot more than just the study of the earth

and it’s features.• Geographers focus on several areas of study:

– Environment– City and Regional Planning– GIS– Housing– Conservation

• Employment opportunities are in areas of Government, Education, Business, non-profit organizations, cultural and human geography, and even economics

Major Requirements• A Bachelor's degree qualifies you for entry-level

positions in government and industry.• Master's degrees qualify you for community college

teaching and advancement in industry and government.• A Ph.D. is required for research and teaching positions

in colleges and universities and senior positions in government and industry.

Master’s Degrees in Geography

• MA in Geography Education

• MA in Human Geography

• MA in Economic Geography- Clark University has one of the best Economic Geography programs in the country

• MA in Urban and Regional Geography

Advice for Geography Majors• Think globally, take a language, spend time overseas, be humble

and keep listening. • Use teachers and the community as resources. Don't be passive

about your passions or interests.• Get as many research skills as possible (GIS, statistics, remote

sensing). Take advantage of undergraduate research opportunities.• Take a year to travel and earn credit.• Work on getting more hard science background if you want to do

environmental work.• Study the subjects that most interest you. You will always have time

later in your career to study business, economics, or public policy. • Make sure you take GIS...these days it's a must!• Explore different classes in geography and other disciplines. If your

interests cross majors, Clark gives you the freedom to work with the faculty to pursue what you want.

Steps for Career Development

• Self Assessment: MBTI, think of your own skills, interests, and values

• Read: Websites listed on Career Services Resource page, Career Services library

• Talk to People: Faculty, alumni, do an informational interview, get a profile on LinkedIn

• Experience: Internships, volunteer, shadow, part time/summer jobs

Geography Internship Locations• Greater Boston Urban Resources Partnership• Ecotourism • The Regional Environmental Council• Worcester Department of Public Works• Clark Labs• Fidelity Investments• Mass Audubon Society• City of Worcester Office of Planning and Community

Development• Department of Environmental Protection• MASSPIRG

What Clark Geography Grads are Doing Now!

• Transportation Analyst / Consultant, U.S. Dept of Transportation

• Map Information Analyst, MapInfo-Thompson, Predictive Analytics

• Community Gardens Coordinator, Regional Environmental Council of Central MA

• Project Manager, National Geographic Society

Career Possibilities• Cultural and Human Geography:

– Cultural Resources– Historic Preservation– Historical Consultation– Education– Research

• Economic Geography: – Location Scouting– Real Estate Analysis– Transportation– Agricultural Planning– Travel/Tourism Planning

Career Possibilities• Physical Geography:

– Biogeography– Natural Hazards– Hydrology– Weather and Climate– Geomorphology

• Regional Geography: – Area specialists– International business representatives– Travel agents

• Geographic Education: – elementary/secondary school teachers– College professors– Overseas teachers – American military personnel – Businesspeople

GIS: A Day in the Life

• Listen to Ingrid Bruce discuss the many aspects to being a Geographic Information System Manager:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BG6XsFi4gfo