Career Planning

Although it's rare to see 'Geographer Wanted' in the job ads, when you read between the lines it is clear that an understanding of geography is crucial in the urgent issues of the day - from Canada's place in the world, to the human and physical processes of climate and global change, to the evolving mosaic of social and cultural relations in particular nations, regions, and cities. Geographers study how places are different from one another, how social and physical processes vary with context, and how actions that seem logical and reasonable in one place can be irrational or dangerous in other places. Students in geography can choose from a wide range of particular topics to study, using methods ranging from historical, archival, and literary research to quantitative methods and mapping techniques. But common to nearly all geographers is a distinctive way of looking at the world, and asking questions about human-environment relations, context and scale. How do physical processes influence societies, and how do societies reshape the physical environment? How do theories of politics, social relations, and economics change when we account for the fundamental importance of context and local contingency? How are local events bound up with processes at national and global scales?

Most geographers dislike borders and boundaries, and often cross them whenever it seems appropriate. As a result, geographers often find themselves in interdisciplinary settings, working closely with others in the physical sciences or humanities and social sciences. Many undergraduate geography majors pursue graduate work in preparation for academic research and teaching, but many others work in the public or nonprofit sectors as policy analysts, cartographers and geographic information science specialists, and community organizers. Many geographers also work in the private sector, focusing on geographical marketing strategies, international trade relations, and urban and regional development planning.

Career Counselling Programs

Departmental advisors are always available to provide you with general information on careers in Geography. We also encourage you to take advantage of the variety of Career Counselling programs and Career & Placement Services offered through the UBC Career Services in Brock Hall.
Career advice is also available through the Mentorship Program which is offered by the Geography Alumni Alliance in partnership with the Geography Students' Association. Through this networking program you will have contact with former graduates who are in applying their Geography background in a variety of professions. Mentors will provide you with contacts and career guidance for your long term professional development. More information is available from the Geography Students' Association. 

Arts Career Information Kiosk

The Faculty of Arts has launched the Arts Career Information Kiosk. This career information hub is unique as it has been designed specifically for Arts undergraduates. It has been created as a one-stop-shop for Arts students to be referred to resources that are already available to them, either on-campus, online or in-print.