Geography - A landscape of opportunity as a career

Geography is an education for life. Students choose to study Geography for a lot of different reasons. For many it is because they wish to understand more about the world around them. But geography is much more than precipitation cycles, podzolic soils, population pyramids and plate tectonics – it is the study of the relationships between the Earth’s landscapes, people, places and environments.

In short, geography helps us to understand and explain the complex world we live in. The important role of geographical knowledge in understanding current local and global issues, such as climate change and world trade, is increasingly recognised by governments and businesses. Furthermore, the specific skills and expertise gained by geography graduates make them highly prized by employers.

The strength of geography

The great Antarctic explorer and hero of geographical endeavour Ernest Shackleton said about his brave expedition team; “Strength is in unity”. Geography’s strength comes from its unique ability to bridge the social sciences with the earth sciences and to unite a kaleidoscope of knowledge from different disciplines – for example, ecology, geology, economics and politics – in order to interpret the bigger picture within a spatial context. Over the past century the subject has evolved from a simple descriptive science to a major applied science dealing with issues such as climate change, population trends, globalisation and resource management.

Who studies geography?

Few disciplines cover such a broad range of elements as geography, making it appeal to people with a wide variety of interests. The subject appeals to those who are interested in people and places and to people concerned about the impact of humans on the physical environment. The range of transferable skills, such as team skills, decision-making, IT and communication skills, which are acquired during a geography degree makes it an attractive and sensible option for those who have yet to map out a clear career path.

The Modern Geographer

The stereotypical image of a geographer dressed in a fleecy anorak and corduroy trousers, map reading and memorising capital cities is a far cry from the reality of modern geographers. Although fieldwork and knowledge of space and place are key elements of geographical learning, today you are more likely to discover geographers using sophisticated computerised mapping techniques, analysing data for deciding how best to distribute aid in Afghanistan or monitoring the impact that a change in land use has on an endangered species.

Career Options

The career options available to geography graduates are wide-ranging. Some graduates pursue jobs directly related to geography, such as in town and transport planning, land and water management, environmental consultancy, development policy, tourism or recreation. Others choose to use their skills in more generalist careers such as information technology, administration and management, the financial sector, and marketing. The third option is to continue with full-time study and training to develop a career in teaching or research, or to gain further qualifications for entry into more specialist professions.

Geography ranks third among the academic disciplines for the employability of its graduates. The intellectual, analytical and technical skills developed during a geography degree are highly sought after by employers in both the public and commercial sectors. Geographical data is prized, with government showing an ever-greater dependency on evidence-based and policy-relevant research. It is estimated that 80% of all data now collected has some geographical feature and those best placed to interpret this data are geographers.

Quite clearly, a degree in Geography offers you a wide range of career prospects.

So if you want to study a subject recently described by the British press as “painfully trendy”, not to mention enjoyable, and wish to expand your career horizons at the same time, then why not embark on a three year voyage of discovery by opting for a geography degree.

When choosing option subjects, advice from teachers and careers advisors is crucial. The RGS-IBG website www.rgs.orgsupplements this advice by providing answers to some frequently asked questions. The RGS-IBG welcomes those who have an enthusiasm for geography to join its membership as Young Geographers.

Written by Tina Gardner, Communications Officer. Royal Geographical Society (with IBG).