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Geographer
Have you ever wondered which country has the most rainfall, crops, natural resources, ores, or gems?  Are you intrigued by man's uncanny ability to determine perfect locations to build dams, cities, or highways?  If so, and if you love History, Science, and Math, enjoy traveling and studying different countries' traditions and cultures, and are environmentally conscientious, then you should become a Geographer.

Geographers are Scientists who study the nature and usage of areas of the Earth's surface, its land, features, and inhabitants and examine political and cultural structures as they relate to geography.  They conduct research on the physical aspects of a region (land forms, climates, soils, plants, animals, etc.), on the spatial implications of human activities within a given area (social characteristics, economic activities, political organization, etc.), and on the interdependence between regions, with scope ranging from local to global.  Geographers are often charged with the task of determining the best location for new public transportation infrastructure, leading a collaborative team of Urban and Regional Planners, Legislators, Civil Engineers, Surveyors, Cartographers and Photogrammetrists, Surveying and Mapping Technicians, Geoscientists, and Real Estate Professionals.

The duties of a Geographer include but are not limited to:  gathering geographic data through field observations, maps, photographs, satellite imagery, and censuses; using quantitative methods (statistical analysis, etc.) and qualitative methods (surveys, interviews, focus groups, etc.) in research; creating and updating maps, graphs, diagrams, and all other visual representations of geographic data; analyzing geographic distribution of physical and cultural characteristics/occurrences; using geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, and global positioning systems (GPS) to collect, analyze, and visually display geographic data (maps, reports, charts, etc.); conducting research, writing reports, and presenting research findings; combining geographic data with specialty data (economics, environment, politics, health, etc.); advising governments, businesses, and general public on marketing strategies, in planning homes, roads, infrastructure, and landfills, in climate change, disaster responses, environmental impact, etc. and in the usage of GIS and geographic data; informing developers and policymakers of sustainable business practices and ensure adherence to increased regulations; and teaching at universities.

High school students interested in becoming a Geographer benefit from taking World Geography, History, Chemistry, Physical Science, Earth Science, Biology, Physics, Health, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus, Statistics, Economics, Civics, and Computer Applications.  Students entering Geography Bachelor's of Science programs from high school with no previous Geography training should expect a period of four years to complete said program.  Though not a requirement, graduates can become GIS certified by the GIS Certification Institute, a certification that stands out to employers in this field.

Specialties in Geography include:  Physical Geographers (study physical aspects of a region—land forms, climates, soils, natural resources, natural hazards, water, plants, etc.—and how they relate to humans and map where a natural resource occurs in regions); Human Geographers (analyze the organization of human activity—economic, social, political, etc.—and its relationship with the physical environment, relying heavily on statistics, field observations, and interviews).

Sub-specialties in Human Geography include:  Cultural Geographers (relationship between geography and culture—religion, language, and ethnicity); Environmental (humans' impact on the environment and its effect on natural processes—climate change, deforestation, etc.); Medical (distribution of health issues, health care, and disease in different regions); Political (relationship between geography and political structures/processes); Urban (cities and metropolitan areas—how climate affects population density in cities); Economic (economic activities and the distribution of resources—regional employment, industry location); and Regional (geographic factors in particular region—from neighborhoods to entire continents).

​Due to greater focus on environmental and sustainable practices and the increasing need to understand environmental changes and humans' impact thereupon, employment of Geographers is projected to grow 29 percent over the next decade.  Those with advanced degrees, a sub-specialty, and experience working with geographic technologies should have better job prospects and opportunities.
Job Description
Median Salary & Range
​Median Salary:  $74,760

Salary Range:  ~$41,910 - $103,870+
College Majors & Attainment Routes
​The​ normal routes to becoming a Geographer have been to major in Geography, Geographic Information Science, International Studies, Global Studies​, Global Studies (Geography minor), Geomatics, Social Studies, Geographic Information Science, Geographic Information Systems, History and Government (Geography or International Studies concentration), History (Geography or International Relations minor), Geology, Social Studies Education, Political Science (International Relations concentration), Earth Science (Geography concentration), Social Science (Geography concentration), History/Social Science Education (Geography concentration), International Affairs, Agricultural Science (Applied Geospacial Information System or Geospacial Information Science concentration), or Urban Studies.

A bachelor's degree is required for most entry-level Geographer positions, but a master's degree is needed for those considering a long-term career and advancement in the field.  It is necessary to attain a Ph.D. if one wants to lead research teams in the field and teach at universities.
Colleges That Provide Above Majors
Colleges and universities that have Geography and related majors are:  North Carolina Central University (Durham, North Carolina); Central State University (Wilberforce, Ohio); Cheyney University (Cheyney, Pennsylvania); Fayetteville State University (Fayetteville, North Carolina); North Carolina A&T State University (Greensboro, North Carolina); Coppin State University (Baltimore, Maryland); Spelman College (Atlanta, Georgia); Elizabeth City State University (Elizabeth City, North Carolina); Fort Valley State University (Fort Valley, Georgia); Grambling State University (Grambling, Louisiana); LeMoyne-Owen College (Memphis, Tennessee); Kentucky State University (Frankfort, Kentucky); Bowie State University (Bowie, Maryland); Lincoln University (Jefferson City, Missouri); University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (Pine Bluff, Arkansas); Tennessee State University (Nashville, Tennessee); Morgan State University (Baltimore, Maryland); Claflin University (Orangeburg, South Carolina); Hampton University (Hampton, Virginia); Texas Southern University (Houston, Texas); Virginia Union University (Richmond, Virginia); Bethune-Cookman University (Daytona Beach, Florida); Virginia State University (Petersburg, Virginia); West Virginia State University (Charleston, West Virginia); Bluefield State College (Bluefield, West Virginia); and Oakwood University (Huntsville, Alabama).
Available Scholarships