What You'll Do

  • 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.
  • Write and present reports of research findings.
  • Develop, operate, and maintain geographical information computer systems, including hardware, software, plotters, digitizers, printers, and video cameras.
  • Locate and obtain existing geographic information databases.
  • Analyze geographic distributions of physical and cultural phenomena on local, regional, continental, or global scales.
  • Teach geography.
  • Gather and compile geographic data from sources such as censuses, field observations, satellite imagery, aerial photographs, and existing maps.
  • Conduct field work at outdoor sites.
  • Study the economic, political, and cultural characteristics of a specific region's population.
  • Provide consulting services in fields such as resource development and management, business location and market area analysis, environmental hazards, regional cultural history, and urban social planning.

Essential Skills

Reading Comprehension 4.12/5
Writing 4.12/5
Speaking 4.0/5
Critical Thinking 4.0/5
Active Listening 3.75/5
Active Learning 3.62/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.62/5
Complex Problem Solving 3.5/5
Science 3.38/5
Systems Analysis 3.38/5
Learning Strategies 3.12/5
Instructing 3.12/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.
  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.

Common styles

Attention to Detail, Analytical Thinking, Initiative, Persistence, Dependability

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Written Comprehension 4.12/5
Written Expression 4.12/5
Inductive Reasoning 4.12/5
Oral Comprehension 4.0/5
Oral Expression 4.0/5
Deductive Reasoning 4.0/5
Near Vision 3.88/5
Information Ordering 3.75/5

Technologies & Tools

ACD Systems Canvas Adobe Dreamweaver Adobe Photoshop Autodesk AutoCAD Caliper Maptitude Clark Labs IDRISI Andes Corel CorelDraw Graphics Suite ESRI ArcGIS software ESRI ArcIMS ESRI ArcInfo ESRI ArcView Geographic information system GIS software Geographic information system GIS systems Geographic resources analysis support system GRASS Golden Software Grapher Golden Software Surfer Google Earth Pro Groundwater Vistas HydroSOLVE AQTESOLV IBM SPSS Statistics

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.4/5)
  • Analytical Thinking (High importance: 4.35/5)
  • Initiative (High importance: 4.16/5)
  • Persistence (High importance: 4.11/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.1/5)

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How to Become One

Most employers require a bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Some positions may also require experience through internships, co-ops, or entry-level work to strengthen your candidacy.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Biogeographer Cultural Resources Specialist Earth Observations Scientist Economic Geographer Geographer Geomorphologist GIS Coordinator (Geographic Information Systems Coordinator) GIS Geographer (Geographic Information Systems Geographer) GIS Physical Scientist (Geographic Information Systems Physical Scientist) Glaciologist Imagery Analyst Natural Resources Specialist Physical Geographer Political Geographer Scientist