What To Do With A Degree In Geography

What to do with a degree in Geography

Geography is a complex and detailed subject. In a broad sense, it has to do with the study of the earth as regards its structure, physical makeup and the individuals living in it.

If you are about studying Geography as a degree and you are skeptical about it, this article would aid in pinpointing the potential and help in determining what to do with a degree in Geography

What is Geography?

Geography as a subject can be categorized into two diverse aspects which include: Human geography, which has to do with individuals and their movement ranging from migration and trend in population.

The second section has to do with physical geography which has to do with the science of the earth which involves studying geology and the environment.

Why study Geography as a degree?

The following are some of the reasons why you should study geography as a degree.

Analysis of potential environmental hazards: Studying the geography of our planet and our environment plays a crucial role. We might be able to determine possible hazards before they occur and provide safety measures that will aid in averting such results before they occur.

Versatile skillset: Geography is dependent on great teamwork skills as a subject. This is because a lot of projects carried out would be based on groups and this is a major criterion to function effectively in the outside world. Additionally, the skills to analyze data will be developed throughout the years of results observations and this, in turn, will aid you in enhancing your capacity to comment on, Identify and utilize sets of data efficiently.

Wide career choice: Geography Graduates enjoy a broad career path ranging from tourism to teaching or marketing and military. A geography degree will aid In the development of teamwork. Analytical skills and a host of others so as to provide graduates with the best choice of a career path.

Career Opportunities for Geography Graduates

The following are some available job options for geography graduates. They include:

• Environmental consultant
• Cartographer
• Residential/commercial surveyor
• Landscape architect
• Market researcher
• Distribution and logistics manager and a host of others

Work Experience

Your career path would be dependent on your interest in human or physical geography. Make efforts to get work experience in your desired field to get more insights to the available jobs and to get contacts.

Fieldwork is a method which is useful in the development of your practical skills and attaining hands-on experience which is what a lot of employers especially in Nigeria are after. There are some courses which also provide a slot for you to go abroad for a year which Is another remarkable way to get firsthand experience of practical work.

Typical employers

There is a wide range of institutions that employ graduates of geography ranging from commerce, public sector, tourism, and transport, among others. Graduates have skills which are transferable, and this attracts employers from the finance, business and law sectors.

Some of the employers include:

• The Civil Service
• Armed forces
• Environmental protection agencies
• Environmental consultancies
• Charities

Skills for your CV

The study of geography provides you with insight into a range of economic, social, practical and environmental problems. In addition to the main geographic skills for example fieldwork and the utilization of specialized equipment, preparing maps and diagrams, you would also attain skills crucial to lots of sectors and jobs.

Some of These skills include:

• Problem-solving and planning skills
• Skills in data collection, research, evaluation, and analysis
• Oral and written communications skills including data presentation and report writing
• IT skills e.g. utilization of spreadsheets and databases and computer cartography
• Computational and mathematical skills

Conclusion

Geography is a broad course. Graduates of geography are versatile and are in high demand in a wide range of sectors who are developed in a diverse range of skills. So, are you still thinking of what to do with a degree in Geography?

The #WhatToDoWithYourDegree series is aimed at helping all classes of students. This series helps give them further insight into why they are studying the course they are studying, and the potentials inherent in the course.

Do you have other ideas on what to do with a degree in Geography? Pls, send your comments in the comment section below. I look forward to hearing from you