Geography graduates offer a genuine understanding of the complex interplay of economic, political, social and environmental forces. They are trained to analyze multi-faceted problems with a range of analytical tools and skills, including statistical analysis, survey design, GIS, working with census data, and working with spreadsheets and relational databases. They are skilled in information retrieval, data management, and synthesizing academic research, and are used to working both in teams and on their own initiative. Such graduates are highly employable in a variety of professions.
Geography graduates have a diverse skillset that are beneficial in many different careers. The range of opportunities means it is useful to spend time exploring different career options available to you as a geography major. For the most comprehensive overview of career possibilities for geography majors, see the careers website of the Association of American Geographers. This site tells you what geographers do all day, where they work, how much they earn, and how they prepare themselves for these careers.
Career Exploration Opportunities
- GEOG 492 Career Exploration and Mentorship for Geographers Offered every autumn quarter, this 2-credit class invites students to reflect on past experiences and identify your skills and strengths to find your path forward in geography. Alumni mentorship and career exploration activities help students develop resilience and build community while making connections between college and career.
- The Career & Internship Center, located in Mary Gates Hall, offers small group coaching, workshops, job & internship fairs, and one-on-one advising. The Career Guide, available online (PDF), is a fantastic resource for all stages of career exploration. Consider joining one of the Career & Internship Center's interest, identity & affiliation communities for even more great resources for engagement!
- C21 College to Career Initiatives include externship opportunities, internship bootcamp and career channel resources designed especially for students in the College of Arts & Sciences.
Potential Careers
For the most comprehensive overview of career possibilities for geography majors, see the careers website of the Association of American Geographers. This site tells you what geographers do all day, where they work, how much they earn, and how they prepare themselves for these careers. There are a number of fields that geography graduates find careers in.
Planning & Development
- Planning (urban, social, economic, environmental, transportation)
- Regional & economic development
- Real estate location analysis
- Import/Export
- Resource specialists
Data Analysis & Management
- Geodemographics; market research analysis
- spatial statisticians and data analysts
- logistics and supply chain analysts
- Demography
- Geographic Information Systems
Social Services & Social Justice
- Social Services & education
- Public health
- Global & environmental justice
- Sustainability
- Non-governmental organizations or social mobilization & community-building
Geographers are most marketable as liberal arts majors able to critically examine social phenomena and their surrounding world. The ability to think, evaluate, and interrogate ideas is consistently referenced by our students as their most meaningful resource gained in the geography major.
Career Panels
Upcoming alumni career panels hosted by the Career & Internship Center
- Identity in the Workplace: Being Black in Corporate America (10/22/2020)
- Finding Your Fit in Data Science (2/22/2021)