Geography job search tips

Geography is one of the most diverse fields of study, applicable to a wide range of disciplines. Depending on your background and focus, there are many ways to showcase your skills using our expert tips. By the end of this read, you will know the availability of jobs for a geography major, as well as other fields of study.

Geography majors

Geography majors examine the distribution and trends of human behavior in relation to the physical environment. How can you make these geography skills marketable to gain jobs for a geography major? The connection between human behavior and the physical world is clear—for example, agricultural production on arable land is influenced by changing weather patterns. In the past, studies of human behavior often involved reviewing history, collecting data, and producing research articles with maps. Today, technology enhances this process by analyzing historical data to reveal trends, even in the recent past.  This advancement has given rise to the field of Data Science, in which you can now earn a Master’s Degree. At the very least, you should create your maps digitally using geographic information systems (GIS).

GIS platforms are specifically designed for data analysis related to human activities, environmental issues, and global challenges. They enable you to combine crucial skills such as data acquisition, analysis, and visualization, while also employing monitoring techniques in various environments to solve problems and appreciate diverse cultures and values.

Tip:  List “GIS” or “Data Science” classes and projects on your Linkedin profile.

GIS majors

We know that GIS enables us to make decisions with different data for different disciplines.  If you focus on GIS within your geography program, you’ll be preparing yourself for a GIS analyst role where you’ll work on data, do some analysis, and create maps. But you can be strategic about taking the types of courses that will improve your promotion path. In many cases, you may have to take technical classes outside of your college program. This could lead you to becoming the central database architect, GIS web developer, or GIS administrator at your future company. Furthermore, think about working in an industry that is meaningful to you. The GIS profession can contribute positively to many aspects of society like conservation, renewable energy, and sustainability.  You don’t want to look back and wonder if a different career choice could have made a difference.

Tip: Take classes in the IT space like cloud, programming, and database.  And build connections and opportunities with people in a vertical industry that is meaningful to you.

Technology jobs

GIS is one of the ‘Big 7’ tech growth industries, along with Cloud, Coding, Data Science, and AI. Technology continues to grow as new applications are built and an explosion of data is created. Often, a GIS role overlaps with these other fields, requiring professionals to be cross-trained in multiple areas. The range of GIS analysts salaries is between $38K to $121K per year, with the higher end reserved for those that have advanced IT skills. GIS programmers use programming languages like JavaScript, HTML, C# to develop programs and applications that enable users to visualize maps.  Many commercial GIS software companies will hire engineers and software developers right out of college to help design and build their applications. In these cases, coupling your engineering degree with online GIS courses can give you the context needed to meet industry demands. Overall, the GIS developer tech stack is highly marketable.

Tip:  Couple your engineering degree with GIS courses to make yourself marketable in the $18B GIS industry.

Leverage any college degree into a GIS career

So you’re not a geography, GIS, or IT major—what now? Fortunately, GIS is a skill set that anyone can learn!  Some of our most accomplished GIS colleagues hold degrees in biology, math, history, anthropology, and environmental sciences. If you feel like transitioning into the GIS industry, you could pursue a two-year master’s program in geography. However, a more affordable and quicker option is to upskill with a GIS certificate. With the right GIS skills, you become instantly marketable. The diverse projects and meaningful tasks included in the certificate course not only enhance job satisfaction but can also be applied to the discipline you already studied. Additionally, a varied office environment, a range of project types, interesting fieldwork, and telecommuting opportunities all contribute to a flexible, desirable career.

Tip:  Upskill your degree with a top online GIS certification program.  Then describe how your studied discipline makes its decisions with GIS products.

Education: Bootcamp GIS

Before you can become a professional in GIS or geography, you need not only an academic degree in a related field but also sufficient technical expertise. Despite the many technical options available for learning GIS, online programs remain a very convenient way to acquire these skills. Bootcamp GIS is a great option, offering an advanced online learning platform that provides GIS certificates based on real industry workflows taught by experienced GIS practitioners. Today’s student values learning flexibility—you can earn a GIS certification in half the time and at half the price of a regular college program. Book an advisory call with us below if you’re interested in getting started.

Tip:  Make sure you learn industry GIS workflows through online classes or internships make you highly marketable in the high growth GIS industry.