UW Geographers learn to understand their discipline as, essentially, "The Why of the Where." This phrase has even been memorialized on an original UW Geography logo design! After years of developing critical spatial analysis, research skills, and various technical methodologies in college, as students get closer to graduation they are frequently wondering about the relevance of their studies to the wider world outside UW. Most graduates will not necessarily find jobs with the title "Geographer," so what would it mean to practice geography through either professional activities, public service or activism? Since 2019, the Department of Geography has featured real-life stories from geography alums sharing their reflections on this question in an annual event known as "Geographers in Practice." While the first year took place in-person in the Husky Union Building, the next two years were held online on Zoom and provided a welcome opportunity to feature panelists located all over the world - and brought together students and alums who were no longer in the Seattle area!
This year's panel discussion will take place on Zoom on Thursday, November 17, and features Jeevon Durkee, Communications Manager, murmuration; Melissa Espinoza, Managing Director of Strategic Investments and Impact, We Are In; and Carmen Settineri, GIS Analyst, Valocity Limited. Current UW students, alums, staff and faculty are invited to register now to attend this special event! Beginning at 6:00 PM, the agenda begins with an introduction from Tiffany Calverley, Assistant Director of Advancement for the Social Sciences, College of Arts & Sciences. Professor and Chair Sarah Elwood moderates the panel discussion and there will be space available for small group breakout rooms to chat with members of the geography department community.
Visit the Geographers in Practice Event Archive to meet panelists from prior events, and find a recording of the 2021 discussion. If you'd like to get involved in the Department of Geography College to Career programming, as an alum volunteer, employer or donor, please find more information on the Geographers in Practice website.
We welcome community feedback about this event, whether you have attended or not! Please visit the survey link below to share your input before December 18, 2022. [This survey has since closed.]