Where geographers work - your geo sectors overview

Once you have completed your geography studies or training, what comes next? This is a natural question for anyone considering a career in geography. After all, there are a myriad of jobs, often with overlapping entry requirements and deceptively similar profiles.

Where geographers work - your geo sectors overview

When you have completed your geography degree or education, what comes next? This question is of course asked by anyone who aspires to a career in geography. After all, there are countless occupations with often overlapping entry requirements and deceptively similar profiles.

To answer this question, give you GoGeoGo one Overview of the various career paths available to geographers. So let's get started!

Table of contents:

Geography is not a job - these niches are where they find jobs

It is important to know that there is no job called geography or geographer. Instead, geographers work in a variety of different niches such as geoinformatics, surveying and others.

Of course, you do not need to have studied geography to work in these niches - but generally many people enter them from a variety of backgrounds. These niches are not like medicine, law or finance, where people usually have a long education to get there.

An overview of geosectors

Geographers (and many other professionals) learn skills rather than content, and a single such skill can be applied in several niches, e.g. cartography, data analysis, etc. There are 12 main relevant niches for geographers - and these are the niches that GoGeoGo focuses on. They are discussed below:

Picture of the city of Monaco in southern France

Geoinformatics Jobs - niche 1

Geoinformatics focuses on the collection, storage and analysis of spatial information to solve real-world problems. It is the technology and science used to develop the information infrastructure needed to solve problems in scientific and engineering fields that involve geospatial data. A very similar field, but not the same, is Geomatics.

As such, geoinformatics has a wide range of applications such as urban planning, automotive navigation systems, environmental modelling, public health, meteorology, military, telecommunications and others. As a result, geoinformaticians are employed in a wide range of industries.

Several universities offer specialised and interdisciplinary geoinformatics courses that include other related areas of geography. These courses are available at both bachelor and master level. In addition, some people may even consider pursuing a PhD in geoinformatics for a career in research and teaching. 

Find your geoinformatics job today on GoGeoGo!

GIS Jobs - niche 2

GIS, which stands for Geographical Information System, is another niche in the Geo sector. GIS is a technical tool used to store, process and analyse geographical data. It allows users to visualise this data and identify trends. GIS is essential for optimising operations and making data-driven decisions.

Because of the ubiquity of geospatial data, GIS is used in a wide range of industries, including the military, environmental risk assessment, urban planning and development, resource management, public safety and local government. 

There is no singular GIS job, rather there are a number of GIS specialist jobs depending on your relationship to GIS. To become one of these specialists, you can either enrol in a university programme that offers GIS modules, or study through online courses and self-study.

Start your GIS job search today with GoGeoGo!

Surveying & Geodesy Jobs - niche 3

These jobs involve mapping and measuring spatial data with high accuracy and consistency. Geodesists and surveyors use advanced technologies such as satellite systems, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), etc. to accurately estimate positions on Earth and collect project-specific data.

Jobs in geodesy are some of the most dynamic you can get. They can involve anything from surveying engineering, research, GPS specialisation, geophysics, geochemistry/mineralology, the environment, etc. Geodesists are employed in infrastructure development, telecommunications, agriculture and many other sectors due to the widespread use of spatial information.

There are a number of university degrees in geodesy that can provide a good entry point to a career in this niche field. While there is a lot of flexibility in terms of employment, those with a good grasp of maths and technical skills generally find it easier to make a career in geodesy and surveying.

If this niche has piqued your interest, check out the geodesy and surveying jobs on GoGeoGo! 

Remote Sensing Jobs - niche 4

Remote sensing is the collection of geographic data from a distance using satellites, SONAR, LiDAR, etc. From imaging the ocean floor to weather forecasting, remote sensing allows scientists to map the physical features of our world from a distance.

The role of a remote sensing specialist involves collecting geospatial data, transforming it into usable information and interpreting it correctly. They support other professionals by managing all aspects of data collection.

Professionals in this niche are needed in many industries such as infrastructure, urban planning, public safety and environmental science. Remote sensing is often offered as an additional subject in geography and other science courses at universities.

Check out GoGeoGo to find the right remote sensing job for you!

Remote sensing image of the snowy Himalayas

Climate Jobs - niche 5

In order to combat climate change, many new climate jobs have been created that focus on assessing, mitigating and adapting to climate change. The aim of these jobs is to use expertise to limit the damage caused by climate change. A related but very individual field is meteorology

Jobs in this niche are not standardised and vary widely. You could be a climate manager, an engineer working on new technologies to limit and ameliorate climate change, a consultant, a conservationist or one of the many other roles available in the sector.

A university degree in geography or other climate-related disciplines is an advantage in this niche. Internships and apprenticeships are also available.

If you want to make a career in this niche, go to GoGeoGo and find your climate job!

Urban Planning & Spatial Planning Jobs - niche 6

Urban and spatial planning deals with the planning, design, development and improvement of settlements and cities. It ensures that land and other resources are used in an optimal, equitable and sustainable way.

Even within urban planning, you can specialise and carry out different tasks. Geographers, landscape planners, transport engineers, civil engineers, etc. can all be urban planners. There are exciting opportunities for urban planners in the public sector and universities.

It is a very interdisciplinary niche and a career in urban planning usually starts with an urban planning/ spatial planning university degree or other degrees with a similar specialization, ranging from geography to architecture, transport, and others.

If this sounds interesting to you, check out the urban planning jobs listed on GoGeoGo!

Geology Jobs - niche 7

Geology is the study of how the Earth was formed, its structure and composition, and the processes that affect them. It studies changes in properties and materials over time. It is a multidisciplinary field with applications in government policy, industries such as mining, construction and petroleum, academia, environmental protection and much more!

Geologists are skilled in computing, mathematics, physics and chemistry. As a result, there are many career paths open to them, including geochemistry and mineralogy, lithology, petrology, palaeontology, geophysics, structural geology and others. Professionals trained in geology can work as environmental consultants, geoscientists, hydrographers and geological engineers, to name but a few.

You can start your career in geology through undergraduate degrees, distance learning and diplomas. Internships are also available for those wishing to pursue an industrial career in geology.

Go to GoGeoGo now to find the geology job of your dreams!

Transportation Planning Jobs - niche 8

Planning a transport network so that it never comes to a standstill is a necessary task in today's world. Transport planners are responsible for ensuring that, in addition to efficiency, speed and monetisation, transport solutions, both past and present, are sustainable. These planners work with public and private infrastructure and a range of other professionals.

Given the importance of transport networks, there is always a strong demand for transport planning professionals. In addition, the need for sustainability has created many exciting opportunities for professionals. Transport planners work in policy making, technical roles and more practical roles such as driving. Such jobs are most common in the public sector.

Several universities offer transport planning and other related courses at bachelor and master level. There are also training programmes that combine vocational training with practical experience.

If you want to make a career in transportation planning, find your transport planning job on GoGeoGo!

Picture of a highway with green vegetation from above

Environment & Nature Protection Jobs - niche 9

Jobs in environment and conservation focus on protecting the environment from harmful human impacts and conserving natural ecosystems. This is achieved through research, technical expertise, advocacy, sustainable management, etc.

Given the breadth of roles in this niche, there are many opportunities. Technical experts such as geologists, those seeking a career in environmental advocacy and education, environmental planners, managers focusing on sustainability and conservation and others are all employed in this sector.

Depending on your education and training, a variety of sub-sectors are open to you. This niche is also very welcoming to people looking for a career change.

Start your environmental and conservation job search today with GoGeoGo!

Renewable Energy Jobs - niche 10

As global warming increases, there is a need to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and move towards sustainable alternatives such as renewable energy. As a result, there is a growing number of jobs in the renewable energy sector, including those for geographers.

The renewable energy sector offers dynamic and varied jobs in both the public and private sectors - there is no such thing as a 'one size fits all' renewable energy job. Electricity companies, consultancies, government ministries and other public bodies, infrastructure companies, NGOs, CSR departments, scientific institutes and many others offer opportunities for professionals looking for a career in renewable energy.

A strong education in geography or other related environmental sciences is required to pursue a career in this niche.  

Go to GoGeoGo to find your dream job in renewable energy!

Hydrology Jobs - niche 11

Hydrology is the study of the movement and distribution of water above and below the earth's surface, and how it interacts with people. Hydrologists make our water supply and drainage more sustainable, improve irrigation systems, manage flood risks, etc.

This is an attractive niche for geographers because of its multidisciplinary nature and the many sub-disciplines that exist within it, such as hydrography, hydrogeology and water management. Those skilled in hydrology can find careers in academia, consulting and government.

Several degrees at Bachelor's and Master's level provide an entry point into hydrology. Those with backgrounds in mathematics, computing, geology, and the physical and life sciences often find these degrees less challenging than others. However, there are also training programmes you can enrol in that provide on-the-job experience as well as professional training.

Find your hydrology job today on GoGeoGo!

Development and Social Affairs Jobs - niche 12

The development and social affairs sector focuses on efforts to reduce poverty, improve public health, prevent the loss of natural resources and manage overpopulation, to name but a few. There is a natural demand for skilled professionals in this sector.

Geographers have also been known to take up jobs in development and social affairs. These can include anything from advocacy to consultancy, project planning and management, social justice, research, IT, data analysis and more!

While a university degree in development and internships are a great way to start a career in this niche, you can also visit organisations such as the UN, GIZ, etc. to get a feel for the job profiles.

Get closer to your job in development and social affairs by going to GoGeoGo!

Picture of restored riverbanks in the Netherlands

Finding jobs from geo sectors on GoGeoGo

As you have seen, there are many career paths open to those who have studied geography. A career in geography can be extremely rewarding and flexible.

While there is no job called geography or geographer, the skills you learn can be used in a variety of niches.

If you are interested in a career in any of these areas, go to GoGeoGo today and start your job search!

FAQs

How do I know which niche is right for me?

While there is overlap in the skills required for each niche, some, such as geoinformatics, renewable energy and hydrology, are more suited to those with an aptitude for technical skills. However, with the right training you can build a career in any of these niches.

What is the difference between Geoinformatics and GIS?

GIS is a subset of Geoinformatics. While GIS focuses more on the software and hardware used to manage geospatial data, geoinformatics is a broader field concerned with the science and technology used to process, analyse and support decision making with geospatial data.

How do jobs in climate change differ from jobs in environmental protection?

While the two are distinct, there is significant overlap between them. Climate change jobs focus on limiting the damage caused by climate change, while environmental protection jobs focus on protecting the environment from harmful human activities.

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