Career Advice for a Geographer

Geographers study the Earth's physical and human features, and how they interact with each other.

Quick Links

How to Become a Geographer

Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.

When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to become a Geographer

Should you wish to work as a Geographer you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.

Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.

Common Qualifications for a Geographer

  • Two A Levels.
  • A Degree in Geography, Environmental Science, Geology, or a related field.

Key Responsibilities for a Geographer

  • Conducting fieldwork to collect data on physical and human geography.
  • Analyzing and interpreting data using geographic information systems (GIS) and other tools.
  • Developing and presenting reports and recommendations based on research findings.
  • Collaborating with other professionals, such as urban planners and environmental scientists, to address complex issues.
  • Staying up-to-date with developments in the field and contributing to academic research.
  • Communicating findings to a range of audiences, including policymakers, the media, and the public.

What to expect as a Geographer

As a Geographer, you could work for a range of employers including government agencies, environmental consultancies, research institutions, and non-profit organizations.

Recommended Geographer Jobs

Loading Jobs...

How to get Geographer Jobs

Our advice on how to get a Geographer job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete a Geographer application. If you have not held a Geographer position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held a Geographer role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.

Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.

Personalisation

You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your Geographer CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Geographer application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.

This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become a Geographer in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.

Students: How to Become a Geographer 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be a Geographer and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses. 

Aligning your study subjects

The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical Geographer experience.

How to get Geographer Experience

What does it take to be a Geographer? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for Geographer jobs. You can learn how to be a successful Geographer through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.

How to be a Geographer Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into Geographer part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Geographer or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day. 

Geographer freelance work

If you have impressive Geographer qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.

Making a Career Change

How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.