What Do Geographers Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Geographers study the nature and use of areas of the 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. They also 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.

Other tasks include:

• Analyze geographic distributions of physical and cultural phenomena on local, regional, continental, or global scales.
• Write and present reports of research findings.
• Gather and compile geographic data from sources including censuses, field observations, satellite imagery, aerial photographs, and existing maps.
• Teach geography.
• Study the economic, political, and cultural characteristics of a specific region’s population.
• Collect data on physical characteristics of specified areas, such as geological formations, climates, and vegetation, using surveying or meteorological equipment.

We asked Geographers how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

---

69% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 65% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Geographers analyze geographic distributions of physical and cultural phenomena on local, regional, continental, or global scales. They teach geography.

A typical day for a Geographer will also include:

• Study the economic, political, and cultural characteristics of a specific region’s population.
• 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.
• Locate and obtain existing geographic information databases.
• Gather and compile geographic data from sources including censuses, field observations, satellite imagery, aerial photographs, and existing maps.
• Develop, operate, and maintain geographical information computer systems, including hardware, software, plotters, digitizers, printers, and video cameras.

We asked some Geographers a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	77% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	38% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	73% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	19% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	0% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	23% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Geographers also 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. They may also write and present reports of research findings.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Geographers Gather and compile geographic data from sources including censuses, field observations, satellite imagery, aerial photographs, and existing maps. They might also Study the economic, political, and cultural characteristics of a specific region’s population.

In addition, they Develop, operate, and maintain geographical information computer systems, including hardware, software, plotters, digitizers, printers, and video cameras.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Locate and obtain existing geographic information databases.

To some Geographers, it is also their responsibility to Analyze geographic distributions of physical and cultural phenomena on local, regional, continental, or global scales.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Geographer, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally..

They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/life-physical-and-social-science/geographers.htm

http://www.aag.org/