Geographers study the nature and use of areas of the earth's surface and all that is found on it, relating and interpreting the occurrence, distribution, and interrelationships of physical and cultural patterns.

NATURE OF THE OCCUPATION

Geographers may:

Study the physical and climatic aspects of a region using knowledge from related fields, such as physics, geology, oceanography, meteorology, and biology

Study populations and human activities in an area, such as ethnic distribution, economic activity, or political organization

Act as advisor or consultant to governments, international groups, and others on such subjects as economic activities and potentials of regions and determination of physical, geographical or other boundaries

Construct and interpret maps, graphs, and diagrams

Analyze images and photographs taken from aircraft and satellites and specimens collected in the field

Evaluate locations and sales potentials for shopping centers and other developments

Teach, including classes at colleges and universities

Supervise graduate students

The tools, equipment, and materials used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Geographers may specialize in these areas:

029.067-010 GEOGRAPHERS study the nature and use of areas of the earth's surface and all that is found on it. They might specialize as social Geographers, regional Geographer, agricultural Geographer, historical

Geographer, cartographer Geographer, ecological Geographer, medical Geographer, or Marketing Geographer.

029.067-014 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHERS study the origin, nature, and distribution of land and surface features of the earth, including climate, soil, and plant and animal life. They survey the physical characteristics of a region by studying its features, such as elevations, drainage, geological formations, climate, vegetation, and access to other regions. They may conduct studies leading to environmental impact reports. Some specialize in topography, hydrology, climatology, geomorphology, or biogeography.

029.067-010 ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHERS study the geographic distribution of economic activities, such as manufacturing, trade, and agriculture. Some of the economic issues considered are locating potential markets for products and transportation, geographic features that affect the demand for goods, and the most practical way to use area resources.

029.067-010 POLITICAL GEOGRAPHERS study the relationships to political affairs of geographic conditions within local, state, national, international, or other regions.

029.067-010 URBAN GEOGRAPHERS study cities and metropolitan areas, providing information and making recommendations on such matters as community and industrial development, housing, transportation, and retail facilities.

Other specializations include human or social geographer, regional geographer, agricultural geographer, historical geographer, cartographer, ecological geographer, medical geographer, and marketing geographer.

Persons working in nonacademic positions in applied geography frequently work under the titles such as site researcher, location analyst, research planner or coordinator, community development specialist, or photo intelligence analyst.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Working conditions for Geographers depend greatly on the type of work they perform. They may work alone or as members of teams under the supervision of a project supervisor, senior Geographer, or department head. Most Geographers work under pleasant conditions in clean, well lighted, well ventilated offices and classrooms. Field Geographers work outdoors conducting field studies and are subject to varying weather conditions.

Geographers working for government agencies and private industry generally work a 5-day, 40-hour week. Geographers who teach at colleges and universities may have irregular hours. Field Geographers work at their own speed, and their work periods are affected by area conditions or weather. They may, for instance, work 12 hours one day and 2 the next day. However, they usually have deadlines that influence the number of hours worked. They may travel to distant areas and may live away from home for several weeks or months at a time.

Geographers should allow time for attending seminars, reading professional journals, or other activities in order to keep informed of developments in the field.

Geographers may belong to professional associations. These include the American Geographical Society, the National Council for Geographic Education, and the Association of American Geographers. Those who join professional associations pay periodic fees.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities of a scientific or technical nature

• Activities concerned with communicating ideas/information to others

You Should Be Able To:

• Analyze complex problems and suggest realistic, logical solutions

• Work with numbers and perform complex mathematical operations

• Know the meanings of words/ideas and present information effectively

• Visualize how flat drawings or pictures would look as solid objects

• Perform a variety of duties which may change often

• Plan/direct/control an entire activity or the activities of others

• Rate information by personal judgment or measurable standards

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

A scale on a map of 1/63,360 indicates that three units on the map equal how many units on the earth's surface?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Gnomonic Projection is the best-known azimuthal projection. The grid is set up by projecting the surface of the globe from an eye point that is at the center of the globe.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Write up an evaluation report of the land where a potential shopping center may be.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You need to be able to think about all of the potential problems when evaluating property.

Persons who wish to work for federal, state, or local government agencies generally are required to pass a civil service examination. A doctoral degree is increasingly becoming a requirement for independent research, senior level research, college and university teaching, or administrative positions in government, industry, research organizations, and consulting firms. On-the-job experience is equally important for these positions.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: A Bachelor's Degree (four years of study beyond High School) or a Master's Degree (five to six years of study beyond High School) or a Professional Degree or Doctorate (seven to ten years of study beyond High School) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 2200 MATH , 2900 SCIENCE

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

070 GEOGRAPHY

Programs in Geography provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills used in analyzing the physical and cultural variations existing on the earth. Careers are found in business, industry, and education. Individuals who teach Geography at the secondary school level must have a Michigan Teaching Certificate.

Courses vary from school to school but may include:

  Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this MOIScript

E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

There are limited opportunities to explore or gain experience in this field. A few part-time or summer jobs are available in business or industrial firms that hire Geographers. Some college students may obtain an assistantship or a fellowship through the geography department of their college. However, these positions are few in number and usually go to only the best qualified applicants.

To get a job as a Geographer, apply directly to employers or contact civil service offices. Assistance in locating employment may also be obtained from college placement offices, college professors and professional journals. "Jobs in Geography" published by the Association of American Geographers lists jobs worldwide. The Association also sponsors an employment service at its annual national convention. For government jobs, apply at federal, state, or local civil service offices. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:  

Michigan Talent Bank

Classifieds Employment

Yahoo! Careers

MONSTER.COM

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Geographers vary according to their experience, academic background, specialty, geographic location, and employer.

Nationally, the average salary of Geographers employed in public colleges and universities ranged from $32,408 to $66,422 in 1998-99. The starting salary of Geographers with a bachelor's degree working for the federal government (1999) was $20,588 or $25,501 per year, depending on their college achievement. Those with a master's degree earned starting salaries of $31,195 and those with a Ph.D. earned starting salaries of $37,744 per year (1999). The salaries of these federal government workers may be higher in some urban areas.

Most Geographers in positions in business and industry earned salaries comparable to those in the federal government.

During the 1998-99 school year, faculty, including Geographers, employed in Michigan universities earned the following average annual salaries:

In addition, those who teach may earn additional income by teaching summer courses, publishing books and articles, and conducting special research for and serving as consultants and advisors to various industries or public agencies.

Depending on the employer, most Geographers receive paid vacations and holidays; life, accident, disability, and hospitalization insurance; retirement plans; and sick pay. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by employers.

Geographers with Ph.D. degrees may be promoted in all specialty areas to jobs with more administrative, research, or advisory responsibilities. Raises in pay may also be considered advancement. A career ladder for a Geographer working as a college or university teacher may be: instructor; assistant professor; associate professor; professor.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Little or no employment growth is expected in academic positions.

Although advanced degree holders are likely to face keen competition for academic positions, prospects will be good in nonacademic areas such as business. New job openings will be found in the area of analyzing locations for land development and conservation of resources. Also, private industry is expected to hire more Geographers for market research. Employment in remote sensing, cartography, climatology, and photogrammetry is expected to increase.

There are more than 400 Geographers employed in Michigan. Most worked in urban areas and taught in colleges and universities. Others worked for government agencies in urban and regional planning, in economic and community development, and environmental quality. Others worked for textbook and map publishers, travel agencies, manufacturers, transportation firms, market research firms, insurance companies, real estate agencies, or communication firms. A few worked for science foundations and research organizations or were self-employed in consulting firms.

Although growth of college and university positions will be slow because of a shrinking college age population, government agencies will need additional personnel in research and administrative positions. Private industry is also expected to employ increasing numbers of Geographers. Promising specialties for geography graduates are urban and industrial planning.

Geographers with master's and bachelor's degrees may find employment in planning and research departments in government and the private sector. As a rule, Geographers with strong backgrounds in urban, economic, marketing, and physical geography and in quantitive techniques should be in greatest demand. Also, some Geographers may increase their employability in nonacademic areas by obtaining training and/or work experience in areas such as business administration and computer science.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

SUMMARY PROFILE

MOISCRIPTS are Copyright 2003, Michigan Department of Career Development