Geographers study physical and cultural phenomena that are scattered around the world. They examine features of the environment and their location on global, continental, regional, and local scales. Geographers are typically divided into types: economic, political, cultural, physical, urban and transportation, regional, and medical geographers. Economic geographers are concerned with the distributions of economic activities and resources. Political geographers study the relationship of political phenomena and geography. Cultural geographers are concerned with the geography of cultural phenomena. Physical geographers study differences in climate, soil, vegetation, and landforms and their implications on the activity of human beings. Urban and transportation geographers examine metropolitan areas and cities. Regional geographers examine the physical, cultural, political, and economic aspects of regions of all sizes from a small district to whole continents. Medical geographers study health care delivery systems, the effect of the environment on health, and epidemiology.Many geographers use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology to help them with their work. For example they might use GIS to develop computerized maps that can track certain information including patterns of traffic, population growth, natural resources, environmental hazards, and weather patterns. They then may use this information to inform governments on where and how to develop roads, houses, or landfills.
What kind of training does a geographer need?
Degree in geography or related field requires 4 years of university training. They also need training in mathematics and statistics because quantitative and mathematical research methods are widely used in their work. Geographers must also be efficient in using computers for research and keep abreast on the latest technology. Many geographers participate in internships or other field experience.
As UME pre-entry requirements into university, students will be required to write Geography and any other two Arts or Social science subject. Such a student is also expected to have Five (5) ‘O’ level credit to consist of Geography, Economics and any three (3) other Science or Social science subject.
For Direct entry, what is required is two (2) ‘A’ level passes to include Geography and any one of Economics, Government, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics.
Career Prospects
A career as a geographer is an excellent choice for people who have intellectual curiosity about Earth and everything it contains. A geographer can work as a consultant; work with individual and government agencies. A geographer can work as a cartographer; produce maps for new media, book publishers, atlas publishers, government agencies. City governments, county agencies and other government agencies and private groups are often in the need of experienced GIS professionals. Agencies like the National Weather Service, news media, the Weather Channel, and other government entities occasionally need climatologist. A geographer with experience and vast coursework in meteorology and climatology would definitely be an asset.
A plethora of environmental assessment, cleanup, and management companies exist throughout the world today. A geographer brings excellent skills for project management and the development of reports like environmental impact reports. It’s often a wide-open field with tremendous growth opportunities.
