Careers in Geography and the Environment
The U.S. Department of Labor projects "much faster than average" growth, in excess of 20 percent or more, in jobs for geographers, geoscientists, cartographers, urban and regional planners, and other geographic professonals, with projected needs of upwards of 15,000 additional employees in each of these career fields between 2008–2018 (U.S. Department of Labor 2010)
Geographers work in a variety of fields:
The Environment
- Environmental management
- Conservation of biodiversity
- Natural resource management
- Pollution management
- Climatology
- Natural hazard perception
Policy
- Foreign policy
- National security
- Immigration policy
- Non-governmental organizations
Development
- Urban planning
- Transportation
- Emergency and disaster planning
- Tourism
- Real estate development
- Resource exploration
Economics
- International business
- Socially responsible business
- Green investment
- Carbon credits and certification
University of Richmond geography majors are employable because of:
Global Need
Geographical theory and geospatial technology are increasingly important on a threatened planet facing a warming climate, growing populations, dwindling resources, and increasingly complex information flows.
Interdisciplinarity
Geography’s interdisciplinary nature and unique understanding of both the natural and social sciences is ideal for addressing complex problems as diverse as global warming, economic inequality, and territorial conflict.
Geographical Understanding
Geographical understanding is a critical component of sound foreign policy, effective environmental stewardship and successful international business.
Geographic Technology
The Global Positioning System (GPS), Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) are increasingly prevalent worldwide. Our department’s Spatial Analysis Laboratory trains students to use these tools efficiently and to critically analyze their products and processes.
Job Opportunities
- The U.S. Department of Labor identified Geospatial Technology as one of 14 high growth, high demand, and economically vital sectors of the U.S. economy.
- Geotechnology is one the three most important emerging and evolving fields (along with nanotechnology and biotechnology). Nature 2004.
- “The use of geospatial technology is changing the way business is conducted throughout the world.” Science 2005.
Internationalization
Within the nation’s “hottest school” for international studies (Newsweek 2007), the Department of Geography’s global curriculum contributes to internationalization and is a core discipline in our partner institutions abroad. Geography graduates understand the complex connections between nations.
Applied Instruction
Our applied classes and experiential learning requirements provide students with real world skills directly applicable to the work place.
Spatial Theory
Spatial theories (scale, location, place, and connectivity) allow geographers to critically analyze change in the cultural, physical and economic landscape.
