Geographers are people who use their knowledge of geography to teach, draw maps, develop policies for urban planning and so on. The field of geography is so large that it can be applied to many different disciplines. In this article, we’ll explore What Does A Geographer Do in his day-to-day life.
What Is A Geographer?
Geographers are scientists who study the Earth and its spatial features. Geography is a vast field of study that can be used in many capacities, such as geography teachers, cartographers, geologists, urban planners and more. Geographers study the Earth, its inhabitants, and its natural and man-made features.
Geography is the scientific study of Earth’s physical features and human phenomena that occur on Earth. Though the field of geography has many branches, the most common include physical geography, cultural geography, urban geography and economic geography.
What Tools Do Geographers Use To Study?
With a variety of tools to choose from, geographers have the option to choose the one best suited for their needs.
Geographers use maps to get to know the world better. They also help us see changes and patterns in our world over time.
Geographers use a variety of tools and techniques that help them in their mapping, data retrieval and interpretation of geographical data. Some of these include GPS trackers, GIS software, satellite imagery, remote sensing technology, statistical analysis and more.
A common misconception is that all geographers use the same set of equipment or techniques when studying geography. There are many tools in this field that allow for customization depending on the research or study.
What Does A Geographer Do?
Geographers work in many different fields, such as in business, government, city and county planning, community development, education, and research.
Geographers study a wide range of topics from population growth to farmlands to global warming. They make maps and charts that other people can use to make decisions about where they will live or what they will do for a job.Â
They also teach geography classes in schools to teach kids about how the world works before they take their first steps out into it.
Types of Geographer
We have two types of geographers:
- Physical Geographer
- Human Geographer
What Does A Human Geographer Do?
Geographers who study people and places are called human geographers. Human geographers focus on human activity such as cities or neighbourhoods to understand how people interact with each other.
They also study how people and their environments are related. That might involve looking at food, natural resources, transportation routes, migration patterns, or politics.
What Do Physical Geographers Study?
Physical geographers study the earth’s surface and its features like mountains, plains, lakes, volcanoes etc.
Physical geographers study the physical aspects of our planet. They look at the interaction between natural and human-made processes, including the natural environment and its influence on urban environments.
Physical geographers are not only interested in what’s happening on land, but also in how our oceans and air currents affect the Earth and how they impact humans.
Geographers Job Description
The Geographer is responsible for gathering and interpreting data to create maps, charts, and graphs. They will also be required to analyze the data and provide recommendations for future projects. Let us see what do geographers do in their day-to-day life.
Geographers Responsibilities:
- Gather and interpret data to create maps, charts, and graphs
- Analyze the data to provide recommendations for future projects
- Communicate findings with stakeholders
- Maintaining a high level of accuracy
- Studying how people interact with their environment to help design cities, neighbourhoods, and infrastructure
- Gather information from customers
- Perform Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analysis
- Provide GIS consulting services
- Ensure compliance with company policies or applicable laws or regulations
Geographer Salary
Geographers are in high demand and have a promising future. What is more, they are well compensated for their work.
The average salary for geographers ranges from $66,500 to $86,800 per year. This means that geographers are paid more than the average American household income of $56,516 per year.
Geographer salaries can vary depending on the region and size of a company that employs them.
Average Geographer Salaries in the United States
Geographers in California earn an average of $79,000 per year while those in Wyoming earn around $62,000 a year.
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment for geographers to increase by 12% until 2024, which shows that this field of work is growing in popularity and demand.
How To Become A Geographer
The first step to becoming a geographer is to know what type of geography you want to specialize in. There are three major subfields, Physical Geography, Cultural Geography, and Regional Geography.
What Do You Need To Get Into The Field of Geography?
Geography is the study of the earth and its features. Geographers can find many different careers in urban, regional, environmental, and international settings.
Some people may have a specific interest in geography and want to know what they need to get into a career in this field. They may want to know what kind of degree they need or if they need any work experience before going to school for this major.
To be successful in geography, you need an undergraduate degree – either a bachelor’s or master’s degree depending on the job you are looking for. You also need at least three years of relevant work experience.
Your First Step Toward Becoming A Geographer Is All About Your Degree Selection
The first step toward becoming a geographer is to select the right degree. This will depend on your individual interests and goals.
Degree selection is the first step to becoming a geographer. There are many different degrees for you to choose from, depending on your field of interest and career goals.
You may be interested in environmental geography, urban geography, or international relations. All of these fields study our relationship with geographical spaces and how that changes over time.
What Kind of Degrees are Available as a Geographer?
Geographic surveying is a profession that has gained prominence in the last few decades. The reasons are twofold- the increased importance of geo-referenced data and the emergence of new technologies.
The geographic surveying profession is very broad, and it includes many different types of work.
Geographic surveyors might do everything from building maps to using GPS navigation systems in cars. The main thing that all geographic surveyors have in common is that they need to understand the physical world as it relates to geography, cartography and spatial analysis.
A Geographic Information Systems (GIS) degree will provide students with skills and knowledge related to geography, cartography, and spatial analysis. Studying GIS will also give them an understanding of how these concepts are applied in areas such as urban planning, disaster management etc.
You can opt for an undergraduate degree, Master Degree or even a Ph. D in geography.
Geographer Careers
With the world becoming a smaller and smaller place, there are a wide variety of career paths for geographers.
Just like any other field, geographers are always looking for new ways to expand their knowledge and use it in their jobs. Some of the best geographic careers for geographers include:
- Teaching Geography in high schools or colleges.
- Researching remote regions of the world.
- Doing environmental mapping.
- Planning communities that are sustainable.
- Creating maps.
Conclusion: What Does A Geographer Do?
Geographers do a lot of number crunching and have an analytical eye for detail. They are often found in the office, analyzing data, preparing maps and compiling research.
Geography is one of the most fun and interesting fields to pursue a career in.
Their input is crucial when it comes to solving global problems like climate change, natural disasters, and environmental destruction.