Geographers are trained to understand the complexity of interrelationships between people and the environment. They bring a vital geographic perspective to a surprising number of societal issues and problems, including, for example, urban planning, transportation, land use, water management, coastal erosion, market research, floodplain management, etc. Moreover, geographers continue to be trained in the making of maps, leading the way in the development of geographic information systems (GIS) that store, display, analyze, and map information using computer hardware and software systems. The advantage that geography enjoys over the other social sciences is this coupling of technical skills and a traditional liberal arts perspective. Several different emphases, each with associated employment opportunities, exist within the field.
Regional geographers emphasize the study of major regions of the world such as Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Some regional geographers become area specialists who can find work with the State Department or the Central Intelligence Agency. Others may become a representative of a firm specializing in international business. Regional geographers are important in the travel industry. Recent studies indicate that travel and tourism is the second largest sector in the U. S. economy, second only to wholesale and retail trade. Between 1985 and 1995, travel and tourism has created 343,000 new jobs each year in the United States.
Physical geographers are concerned with landforms, climate, and vegetation and the linkages between them. Environmental problems, including air and water pollution, result from human interaction with these natural systems. Environmental agencies and firms have employed CSUF geographers who carry job titles such as environmental consultant, flood zone determination specialist, waste management coordinator, and drought specialist.
Urban geographers study the social, economic, and environmental aspects of cities and have long found employment as urban and regional planners. They work to make cities pleasant and attractive places in which to live and work, taking into consideration traffic patterns, building density, recreational facilities, and the management of water supplies. The Urban Geography Concentration in the Geography major is designed to prepare students for a career in this field. Presently, CSUF geographers are working as planners in the cities of Los Angeles, Lancaster, Fullerton, Placentia and elsewhere. Private firms and the County of Orange have also hired CSUF geographers to work as planners.
Technical geographers concentrate on the technical skills of geography including cartography and GIS as well as quantitative methods. Demand is currently especially high for individuals with strong GIS skills. At a recent annual meeting of the Association of American Geographers, nearly 80% of the non-academic job openings listed were in the technical areas. A promising new area is the development of civilian applications of the Global Positioning System (GPS). CSUF geographers are presently employed as cartographers and GIS analysts for private mapping firms and public agencies throughout Southern California.
Traditionally, many geographers have become teachers at the elementary, secondary, and collegiate level. The recent establishment of Geography Alliances composed of teachers dedicated to improving the teaching of geography and the development of the National Geography Standards are positive developments for the teaching of geography. A number of CSUF geographers hold teaching positions at the junior high and high school levels in Fullerton, Walnut, and La Puente, for example. At the university level, CSUF alumni are professors at Indiana University, Texas A & M University, Brigham Young University, Northwestern Missouri State University and elsewhere.
Overall employment opportunities are excellent for geographers. Environmental specialists and those with GIS will experience faster than average growth. Economic recovery in city and county government and deregulation of communications and utilities may contribute to increases in employment opportunities for geographers.
Greater concern for the environment and its use by growing populations will inevitably create more positions for physical geographers. Geographers will be needed to prepare and review complex environmental impact statements and to act as consultants in environmental preservation and management.
Government opportunities in urban and regional planning remain healthy and are expected to increase with improvements in the economy. Currently utility companies provide the fastest growing demand. Ever changing patterns of population growth and migration and associated social ills require geographic analysis. As the economy expands and business becomes more sensitive to environmental concerns, geographers will be in demand as consultants to generate resource development that is the least ecologically damaging. Urban areas, which are continually expanding, will find it increasingly necessary to turn to geographers to aid in finding solutions to problems which accompany rapid urban growth. As leisure time increases, travel will become more common and geographers will be needed not only to plan tours, but to evaluate the real and potential impact of large numbers of tourists on various regions. As more and more organizations recognize the significance and applicability of the particular skills of the geographer, innovative use of those skills will surely increase.
The list below provides a sample of job titles of alumni of the Department of Geography at Cal State Fullerton. This list is meant to both acquaint Geography majors and those contemplating a degree in Geography with the range of employment opportunities that exist after graduation from Cal State Fullerton. The information below is periodically updated as we hear from our alumni. Most of the individuals on this list earned a B.A. in Geography, a few have earned both a B. A. and an M.A. in Geography, and fewer still, an M.A. only in Geography here at Cal State Fullerton.
Planner, City of Lancaster, CA
Cartographer, Thomas Brothers Maps, Irvine
Mater Dei High School, Santa Ana
Assistant Professor, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
GIS Analyst, Center for Demographic Research, CSU Fullerton
Systems Administrator, SEI Information Delivery, Orange
Waste Management Coordinator, Columbia County, OR
State Planning Coordinator of Regents to Higher Education, Oklahoma
City, OK
M. A. Program, CSUF
Association of American Geographers
Additional information is also available in the Dictionary of
Occupational Titles and the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Both books
and several other publications on careers in geography are available
in the Career Planning and Placement Center.
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