Skip to content. | Skip to navigation

home

Follow us on: facebook logo

 

What can I do with a geography degree?

Reading a mapIn 2010, geographers were one of the least likely groups of graduates to be without a job. Find out why.

Geographical careers

If you want to stick with geography, there are plenty of areas where geographers are needed:

  • Big public organisations like the Met Office and Ordnance Survey need geographers to bring information to the public.
  • Local and national governments need geographers to advise them on things like town planning, environmental science and transport.
  • Businesses seek the help of geographers for things like working out where to locate themselves and understanding their environmental impact. This could mean working for a particular company or as a consultant, either independently or as part of a consultancy firm.
  • Technical careers: a geography degree might include learning technical skills, such as the use of geographic information systems (GIS). You can build these skills into a career: GIS technicians work in construction, conservation and in many other sectors.

Other careers

Geographers have plenty of skills that can be applied to other areas. The particular skills you have will depend on your specialisms and interests, but here are a few examples:

  • Research skills, both primary - doing your own original research through fieldwork - and secondary - research using books and journals.
  • Statistical skills: Learning to collect, use and understand numbers is a valuable skill which is useful in science, finance, management and much more.
  • Computer skills: If you do a lot of work with geographic information systems or use computers in other ways to deal with data, you might be able to build your skills into a career in technology.

The organisation and time-management skills you acquire will also be useful in areas like management.

Postgraduate study

Postgraduate study allows you to specialise more in an area that interests you, carry on into academia or even turn your skills to a new area like law or publishing. Find out more about postgraduate study.

Related links

Your shout!

What do you want to do with geography? Share your thoughts by posting a comment using the link below.