Department Description
Geography literally means
“writing about the Earth”. Geography is so interesting and useful
because it includes information from many other disciplines like
political science, history and economics and from sciences such as
geology, biology and meteorology. What connects these disciplines to
geography is that they all have to happen somewhere. The power of
place and the concepts of location and interaction are central to
understanding geography. Places are important because they help to
shape the events and the people that are associated with them.
Geography brings many disciplines together to create a vivid and
unique understanding of our lives on Earth.
Special Program Requirements
A desire and interest to
know more about the physical and cultural wonders of the world around
you are all that you need to get started in geography.
Transfer Opportunities
The spatial understanding and
the social and physical science skills acquired in geography lend
themselves to your success in many majors. Knowledge of spatial
relationships enhances the study of politics, history and economics
as well as the study of geology, biology and meteorology. Business
and marketing majors often need the skills and insights geography
offers as do planners and city managers.
Employment Opportunities
Geography as a discipline is
becoming more popular at colleges and universities as it offers
students a broad variety of career skills. A geography education can
lead to employment in many diverse fields. There are lots of public
or private sector employment opportunities in training in geographic
information systems (GIS). Many high school social studies teachers
study geography as do city planners, corporate location analysts,
E911 system designers and dispatchers, land surveyors, plant and
animal researchers, climate specialists and government employees at
all levels. Geography is useful in business as it promotes an
understanding of the similarities and differences in people and
places. This is very useful in designing marketing campaigns directed
at particular geographic or demographic groups.
Career Titles
Geographer
Professor
|Social Studies
Teacher
Urban/City Planner
GIS Specialist
Marketing Specialist
Location Analyst
Cartographer
Surveyor
Travel Planner