Make A Real Difference
Study Geography
Geographers look at wide range of issues spanning the social and physical sciences. By doing so, they develop a breadth of skills which are attractive to a very diverse range of future employers. Research highlights that geography graduates have a better than average chance of finding work and that they are amongst the least likely to be unemployed. One of the reasons for this is the flexibility a geography degree offers in terms of future career paths. As a recent article in the Guardian highlighted, “if you're not sure what to do, you can't go wrong with geography". Geography doesn't have a set career path like the disciplines showing the highest levels of unemployment”. As Michel Palin has commented: “Geography is a subject that helps young people into work. Many employers prize the knowledge and skills that studying geography can provide and geography in higher education is thriving”.
Many of society’s current issues – at both the local and global scale – require an understanding of geography. Global warming, food and energy security, and the uneven impact of economic and social change, are just some of the high profile policy challenges that geographers must help solve. Crucial here, is geography’s role as an integrative discipline that seeks to understand relationships between people, and between people and their physical environment.
Specific technical skills directly relevant to geography-related careers include: field work; research and report writing; preparing maps and diagrams; using social survey and interpretative methods; collecting and analysing information using various technical and laboratory-based methods for the collection and analysis of spatial and environmental information (e.g. GIS, remote sensing and mathematical modelling); and recognising the moral and ethical issues involved in debates and enquiries.
In addition to subject specific skills, geographers also develop other personal and intellectual skills which are required by all employers, whether they are employing graduates in careers related to, or unrelated to, geography. These skills can be developed through your experience at university as a whole but also through your degree programme, as geography is very diverse and includes lots of hands-on, practical application work. Skills you develop include: analysing and problem-solving; decision-making; critically interpreting data and text; developing a reasoned argument; numerical skills - interpreting and presenting relevant numerical information; team-working; planning skills; presenting oral and written arguments and information; and communication and technology skills (ICT) - including word processing, databases, internet communications, information retrieval and online searches.
Careers which particularly utilise the skills developed by geographers include:
Thanks to Careers Wiki for the information above.
Information from the Royal Geographical Society
Many of society’s current issues – at both the local and global scale – require an understanding of geography. Global warming, food and energy security, and the uneven impact of economic and social change, are just some of the high profile policy challenges that geographers must help solve. Crucial here, is geography’s role as an integrative discipline that seeks to understand relationships between people, and between people and their physical environment.
Specific technical skills directly relevant to geography-related careers include: field work; research and report writing; preparing maps and diagrams; using social survey and interpretative methods; collecting and analysing information using various technical and laboratory-based methods for the collection and analysis of spatial and environmental information (e.g. GIS, remote sensing and mathematical modelling); and recognising the moral and ethical issues involved in debates and enquiries.
In addition to subject specific skills, geographers also develop other personal and intellectual skills which are required by all employers, whether they are employing graduates in careers related to, or unrelated to, geography. These skills can be developed through your experience at university as a whole but also through your degree programme, as geography is very diverse and includes lots of hands-on, practical application work. Skills you develop include: analysing and problem-solving; decision-making; critically interpreting data and text; developing a reasoned argument; numerical skills - interpreting and presenting relevant numerical information; team-working; planning skills; presenting oral and written arguments and information; and communication and technology skills (ICT) - including word processing, databases, internet communications, information retrieval and online searches.
Careers which particularly utilise the skills developed by geographers include:
- Physical Systems - hydrologist, weather forecaster, flood protection manager, earth scientist, geomorphologist
- Geographical Techniques - GIS specialist, location analyst, surveyor, aerial surveyor, cartographer
- Development & Global Issues - civil servant for DFID, economic adviser and analyst, NGO worker
- Travel, Tourism, Leisure and Culture - expedition leader, leisure centre management, heritage site manager, travel writer
- Environment & Sustainability- civil servant for DEFRA, conservation worker, estate management, environmental consultant
- Place Policies - housing manager, town planner, transport officer, urban regeneration, local government officer
Thanks to Careers Wiki for the information above.
Information from the Royal Geographical Society
