What is Geography?
Geography is the science of place and space. Geographers study where things are located on the surface of the earth, why they are located where they are, how places differ from one another, and how people interact with the natural world. Geography is unique in how it bridges the social and natural sciences to address complex, real-world problems. Geographers develop knowledge and technical skills that enable them to better understand the world and have successful careers.
Why Study Geography?
In our rapidly changing, increasingly interconnected world, it’s becoming critically important to address issues like
- climate change
- terrorism
- land degradation
- political conflict
- health disparities
- worsening natural disasters
- rapid urbanization
Students will develop knowledge and cutting-edge technical skills—for example, with geographic information systems and remote sensing—that will prepare them to better understand and help solve such issues.
Where Do Geography Graduates Go?
Many successfully pursue rewarding careers in education, business, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations in positions like:
- Water Resources Specialist
- Climatologist
- Forester
- Emergency Management Specialist
- Hazards Analyst
- Transportation Manager
- Market Researcher
- Policy Analyst
- Urban and Regional Planner
- Public Health Officer
- Digital Cartographer
- Geospatial Analyst
- GIS Developer
- Geointelligence Specialist
- Remote Sensing Analyst
- Soil Scientist
- Environmental Health Specialist
- International Development Specialist
- Foreign Services Officer
Some undertake graduate study in Geography or areas such as:
- earth sciences
- social sciences
- planning
- public health
- law
- public administration