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Working in Geography without GIS is kinda like working in engineering without CAD.
You can do it, but your job prospects are a lot more limited. Ideally you want to have a solid background in GIS software, python, and javascript/html.
Geography is definitely a highly employable field with high future growth and some extremely well paying jobs.
But like I said, just realize that not knowing how to do GIS is missing a key tool used by most geographers. That basically puts you back in pre-quantitative revolution field and region geography.
I have a BA and MA in Geography, and a teaching credential. I don't do GIS. It's a great tool, but I'm not great at it.
Geography is a broad discipline, and it has served me well. I have done city planning, environmental planning, environmental science, legislative policy research, grant writing/grantee coaching, research writing, contract writing and administration, etc.
Find what your passion is - mine was California water - and specialize in it as much as you can. Network with folks in that field.
My son has a BS in geography/geology, he did permits for ski areas on forest service land...to develop ski runs...skis about 200 days a year, free! He did contract work, private ski area design, and now works for Feds, Forest Service...GS-12.
I agree, find an area to specialize in, and learn everything about that niche. He learned snow science, avalanche control, wild land fire fighting, forestry...because it all goes together with ski area development, most ski areas use forest land from BLM.
Didn't you do an internship? That is how he got his job with Forest Service.
Last edited by jasper12; 09-22-2013 at 08:53 AM..
Reason: Edit
I plan on getting my masters of science in geography. I hear a lot about gis but other than that what kind of jobs are available in this field.
What kind of jobs can you do with a M.S. in Geography?
What did you expect to do when you first started majoring in Geography? What are other graduates doing? Where are they working? How likely (what percent of them) are you to find a lucrative degree related job?
Are you willing to relocate to expensive or undesirable (whatever that means) locations to work?
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