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Geography

Major Information

Degree programs in geography offer a broad education in the sciences with special depth in geography and geographic mapping. In addition to the core curriculum of course work in essential skills, humanities, fine arts and social science, geography majors study subjects such as biology, chemistry, economics, international studies, math, and physics, and take geography courses appropriate to the program. Most geographers work in four basic career fields: business, government, planning, and teaching. Graduates trained in geography bring an awareness of global issues, sensitivity to cultural differences, and an understanding of how complex issues affect environmental matters.

General Information

Degree(s) Offered:

  • Bachelor of Science in Geography (B.S.)
  • Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Geography (B.A.)
  • Minor in Geography
  • Minor in Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Sample Occupations

  • Aerial Photo Interpreter
  • Agricultural Geographer
  • Atmospheric & Space Scientist
  • Cartographer
  • Climatologist
  • Coastal Zone Manager
  • Community Development Specialist
  • Computer Cartographer
  • Demographer
  • Earth Scientist
  • Ecologist
  • Economic Development Officer
  • Emergency Manager
  • Environmental Manager
  • Forestry Technician
  • Geographer
  • Geographic Analyst
  • Geomorphologist
  • Geoscientist
  • Geographic Information
  • Systems Technologist (GIST)
  • Health Services Planner
  • Hydrologist
  • Industrial Designer
  • Intelligence Agent
  • International Economist
  • Land Planner
  • Landscape Architect
  • Map Analyst
  • Mapping Technician
  • Marketing Researcher
  • Natural Resources Specialist
  • Park Ranger
  • Photogeologist
  • Population Analyst
  • Professor/Teacher
  • Real Estate Agent/Appraiser
  • Soil Conservationist
  • Surveyor
  • Travel Agent
  • Urban Planner

Sample Work Settings

  • Aerial Survey Firms
  • Architectural Firms
  • Engineering Firms
  • Environmental Consulting Firms
  • Federal, State, & Local Government
  • Health Departments
  • Insurance Companies
  • K-12 Schools
  • Land Developers
  • Land Management Companies
  • Mapping Agencies
  • Marketing & Distribution Companies
  • Planning Agencies
  • Real Estate & Development
  • Resource Management
  • School Boards
  • Textbook & Map Publishers
  • Travel Agencies
  • Universities
  • Federal Agencies
  • Department of Agriculture
  • Department of Commerce
  • Department of Defense
  • Department of Energy
  • Department of Health & Human Services
  • Department of Housing & Urban Development
  • Department of Interior
  • Department of State
  • Department of Transportation
  • Environmental Protection Agency
  • National Aeronautics & Space Administration
  • US Census Bureau

Sample Employers

  • AeroMetric, Inc.
  • Arcadis
  • AT&T
  • Booz Allen Hamilton
  • Bridgestone
  • Coca-Cola
  • DigitalGlobe
  • DeKalb County Government
  • ESRI
  • Georgia Power
  • GeoFields
  • Ground, Water, and Environmental Services
  • Locklear & Associates, Inc.
  • Stantec
  • URS Corporation

Connecting Majors, Skills, and Occupations

  • View learning outcomes associated with your major in the Georgia Southern Academic Catalog:

Georgia Southern Academic Catalog

  • Explore the connection between occupations and skills in O*Net:

www.onetonline.org

  • Use Handshake to upload your résumé and explore internships and jobs. For more information:

www.georgiasouthern.edu/ocpd

Internet Resources

To explore values, interests, and skills:

FOCUS 2

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) – $15

Self-Directed Search – $15

https://students.georgiasouthern.edu/career/student-and-alumni-resources/major-career-exploration/assessments/

To explore occupational outlooks and salaries:

National Compensation Survey

www.bls.gov/ncs/

National Association of College and Employers (NACE)

https://www.naceweb.org/job-market/compensation/

Professional Organizations

American Geographical Society

www.amergeog.org

American Planning Association

www.planning.org

Association of American Geographers

www.aag.org

Imaging & Geospatial Information Society

www.asprs.org

National Geographic Society

www.nationalgeographic.com

National Council for Geographic Education

www.ncge.org

Society of Women Geographers

http://www.iswg.org/

Georgia Southern Student Organizations

Geo Club

Tips

  • Get involved with faculty-supported undergraduate research
  • Present at a university-level or professional association supported event
  • Complete an internship or summer research opportunity
  • Seek out undergraduate teaching assistant opportunities

Last updated: 6/28/2013