Geographers

Study nature and use of areas of earth's surface, relating and interpreting interactions of physical and cultural phenomena. Conduct research on physical aspects of a region, including land forms, climates, soils, plants and animals, and conduct research on the spatial implications of human activities within a given area, including social characteristics, economic activities, and political organization, as well as researching interdependence between regions at scales ranging from local to global.

Investigative - Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

1. Write and present reports of research findings.

2. Create and modify maps, graphs, or diagrams, using geographical information software and related equipment, and principles of cartography such as coordinate systems, longitude, latitude, elevation, topography, and map scales.

3. Gather and compile geographic data from sources including censuses, field observations, satellite imagery, aerial photographs, and existing maps.

4. Analyze geographic distributions of physical and cultural phenomena on local, regional, continental, or global scales.

5. Develop, operate, and maintain geographical information (GIS) computer systems, including hardware, software, plotters, digitizers, printers, and video cameras.

6. Provide consulting services in fields including resource development and management, business location and market area analysis, environmental hazards, regional cultural history, and urban social planning.

7. Teach geography.

8. Provide geographical information systems support to the private and public sectors.

9. Study the economic, political, and cultural characteristics of a specific region's population.

10. Locate and obtain existing geographic information databases.

11. Conduct fieldwork at outdoor sites.

Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Geography - Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.

English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Sociology and Anthropology - Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.

Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

History and Archeology - Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.

Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed

Education: A bachelor's degree is the minimum formal education required for these occupations. However, many also require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Training: Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

The college search results are undergraduate programs associated with Geographers. Further education may also be required to pursue this career.

The training search results include both short and long-term programs associated with Geographers, and may be more appropriate for adult and non-traditional students. Further training may also be required to pursue this career.

In NY the average wage for this occupation was:

$46,660 for entry level workers, and $78,030 for experienced workers.

Summer Institute - Kopernik Space Education Center Summer Institute offers weeklong science programs for young people in grades 3-12. Programs include Moon Craters and Catastrophes, New Views of Mars, It's All About Me, Meteors and Dinosaurs, Junior Astronomers and Super Science Explorers.

Link Summer Science Explorations - Link Summer Science Explorations introduces students to hands-on, high-tech science. This Summer Exploration offers weeklong science programs that include At Home in Our Galaxy, Planets in the Solar System, Violent Weather and its Effects, Mars, Gas Giants, Alien Moons, and Space Travel and finally, Super Science Explorers.Completed materials need to be returned by April 20, 2007.

Virtual Field Trippin: The Rocks of Central New York of Mohawk and Hudson River Valleys - The rocks of the Mohawk and Hudson Valleys of upstate New York tell a fascinating story, both through the rock layers themselves, as well as the life contained within them. This visual tour is intended as a jumping-off point for those with no knowledge of the rocks of east-central New York State.

American Geological Institute - AGI provides information services to geoscientists, serves as a voice of shared interests in their profession, plays a major role in strengthening geoscience education, and strives to increase public awareness of the vital role the geosciences play in society's use of resources and interaction with the environment.

Exploration of the Earth's Magnetosphere - What exactly is the Earth's magnetosphere, what are its interactions with the Sun and why should these be of interest to a non-scientist? What of all that should be presented to students in middle and high school? The Exploration of the Earth's Magnetosphere is an overview of space research on the Earth's environment in space and answers these questions and more.

Wave Hill Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Internship - Wave Hill and Lehman College collaborate to provide a summer opportunity combined with academic studies in Basic Mapping Science, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Site visits to environmentally significant locations and small work crews prune or clear excess vegetation, plant native species, fortify hillsides, and repair woodland trails to prevent erosion along the Hudson River. Lehman College's Department of Environmental, Geographic and Geological Sciences offers laboratory sessions and lectures by graduate students for three college credits, tuition-free.

Social scientists, other - Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.

Cornell University Cooperative Extension New York City 4 H Youth Favorite Places - 4 H Youth Favorite Places (YFP) is an activity designed to help teach youth about Geographic Information Systems/Global Positioning System (GIS/GPS) as well as provide a service to their community, in which youth "map" their favorite places in their community.

The Great Magnet, the Earth - The Great Magnet, the Earth is a nonmathematical historical outline of the study of the Earth's magnetism. This web site tells the story of Gilbert and his book, "De Magnete"--"On the Magnet" with glimpses of London in 1600, and with studies of magnetism before and after Gilbert.

Discovery Channel School's Lesson Plans Library - View the list of brand-new lesson plans for elementary, middle and high school students. Lesson plans include the sciences, mathematics and technology. Hundreds of original lesson plans, all written by teachers for teachers are easily accessible. Use the pull-down menus to browse by subject, grade, or both.

Earth Science Educator - The Earth Science Educator contains hundreds of teaching and learning web resources and provides teachers and students with quick access to a set of rich and scientifically-oriented educational resources on a wide range of Earth science research activities. The Educator is the educational portal site of the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center's Earth-Sun Exploration Division.

Rader's Geography4Kids - Geography4Kids.com is a website that teaches the basics of geography and earth sciences to all ages. It has sections on earth energy, earth structure, the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, the biosphere, climates, and BGC cycles (biogeochemical).

Cartographers and Photogrammetrists - Collect, analyze, and interpret geographic information provided by geodetic surveys, aerial photographs, and satellite data. Research, study, and prepare maps and other spatial data in digital or graphic form for legal, social, political, educational, and design purposes. May work with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). May design and evaluate algorithms, data structures, and user interfaces for GIS and mapping systems.

Surveyors - Make exact measurements and determine property boundaries. Provide data relevant to the shape, contour, gravitation, location, elevation, or dimension of land or land features on or near the earth's surface for engineering, mapmaking, mining, land evaluation, construction, and other purposes.

Foresters - Manage forested lands for economic, recreational, and conservation purposes. May inventory the type, amount, and location of standing timber, appraise the timber's worth, negotiate the purchase, and draw up contracts for procurement. May determine how to conserve wildlife habitats, creek beds, water quality, and soil stability, and how best to comply with environmental regulations. May devise plans for planting and growing new trees, monitor trees for healthy growth, and determine the best time for harvesting. Develop forest management plans for public and privately-owned forested lands.

Atmospheric and Space Scientists - Investigate atmospheric phenomena and interpret meteorological data gathered by surface and air stations, satellites, and radar to prepare reports and forecasts for public and other uses.

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers - Study the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of the earth. May use geological, physics, and mathematics knowledge in exploration for oil, gas, minerals, or underground water; or in waste disposal, land reclamation, or other environmental problems. May study the earth's internal composition, atmospheres, oceans, and its magnetic, electrical, and gravitational forces. Includes mineralogists, crystallographers, paleontologists, stratigraphers, geodesists, and seismologists.

Hydrologists - Research the distribution, circulation, and physical properties of underground and surface waters; study the form and intensity of precipitation, its rate of infiltration into the soil, movement through the earth, and its return to the ocean and atmosphere.

Urban and Regional Planners - Develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities of local jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.

City and Regional Planning Aides - Compile data from various sources, such as maps, reports, and field and file investigations, for use by city planner in making planning studies.

Fish and Game Wardens - Patrol assigned area to prevent fish and game law violations. Investigate reports of damage to crops or property by wildlife. Compile biological data.

Police, Fire, and Ambulance Dispatchers - Receive complaints from public concerning crimes and police emergencies. Broadcast orders to police patrol units in vicinity of complaint to investigate. Operate radio, telephone, or computer equipment to receive reports of fires and medical emergencies and relay information or orders to proper officials.