What can I do with an Geography major?


AreasEmployersStrategies
PHYSICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL
  • Water and natural resources
  • Planning
  • Environmental impact
  • Terrain and land use
  • Federal and state government
  • Publishers of textbooks and maps
  • Travel agencies
  • Real estate developers
  • Corporations or companies in insurance, environmental work, transportation, communications, and international trade
  • Forestry, mining, engineering, architectural and surveying firms
  • Learn federal and state government job application process
  • Become skilled in related computer technology
  • Obtain related experience
  • Take elective courses in botany, plant science and wildlife
HUMAN (SOCIO-ECONOMIC)
  • Economic development
  • Planning
  • Population
  • Transportation
  • Social sciences research
  • Policy research
  • Program development
  • Program administration
  • Housing
  • Statistics
  • Museums
  • State, regional, and local government
  • Federal government including: Central Intelligence Agency, Defense Mapping Agency, Bureau of Census, Department of State
  • Private business
  • Real estate developers
  • Corporations or companies in insurance, environmental work, transportation, communications, and international trade
  • Forestry, mining, engineering, architectural and surveying firms
  • Airline companies
  • Utility companies
  • Learn federal, state and local government job application process
  • Become skilled in related computer technology
  • Develop excellent communication skills
  • Obtain related experience
  • Understand local language, history, customs, and culture
  • Develop team work skills
CARTOGRAPHY
  • Mosaics
  • Photogrammetry
  • Stereo plotting
  • Mapping
  • Printing and reproducing
  • Federal government including: departments of defense, interior, commerce, agriculture, and state
  • State and local government agencies
  • Private industry including: utilities, construction, engineering, energy, environmental planning, and consulting firms
  • Map publishers
  • Become skilled in related computer technology
  • Learn photography skills
  • Seek summer internships
  • Learn federal, state, and local government job application process
REMOTE SENSING GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS
  • Private companies
  • Colleges and universities
  • Federal agencies including: U.S. Geological Survey, Forest Service, Soil Conservation Service, Defense Mapping, Army Corps of Engineers, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration and Central Intelligence Agency
  • State and regional government: departments of transportation, agriculture, environmental, and health planning agencies
  • Develop excellent communication skills
  • Become skilled in related computer technology
  • Seek an internship
  • Learn federal, state and regional government job application process
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
  • Retail and wholesale companies
  • International trade organizations
  • Forestry, mining, manufacturing, engineering, architectural and surveying firms
  • Public utilities
  • Textbook and map publishers
  • Travel agencies
  • Real estate developers and construction firms
  • Insurance companies
  • Transportation firms
  • Agricultural organizations
  • Consulting firms
  • Obtain a business minor
  • Develop research, evaluation and presentation skills applicable to business problems
  • Get experience working in highly competitive atmosphere
  • Take courses in statistical and mathematical analyses and computer programming
  • Develop excellent communication skills
EDUCATION
  • Teaching
  • Research Cartography, remote sensing and computer mapping
  • Environmental science
  • Urban/urban related studies
  • Elementary/secondary public and private schools
  • Colleges and universities
  • Obtain licensure for public school teaching
  • Join National Council for Geographic Education and/or the Association of American Geographers
  • Complete a master’s degree for community college teaching; Ph.D. of college/university teaching and research


GENERAL INFORMATION


Geography Department HomePage

The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.
Portions reproduced with permission from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
CLA Advisement Center; Spring Semester 2001