careers in human geography

I am doing my as levels at the moment, which one of them is geography, i am interested in human geography quite a bit and was thinking of going on to do a degree in it, or human geography combined with management or business, however i am not too sure/confident of the career prospects apart from teaching?
What would this lead me to doing? What sort of jobs?
What would the pay be like?
Is there anyone who has done a degree in human geography/geography, what do you work as?

I am really confused what to do in the future! :frown:

Reply 1

fivebyfive

diesha

I really enjoyed my degree in Human Geography. There are lots of things that people that were on my course are now doing. As you stated, quite a lot have become teachers. There are lots of accountants and business men/women too. Some people work for the government, town planning ect. Others are doing charity work abroad. I think it is quite a broad degree, and is often well respected by employers, particularly if you do it at a decent university.

Also the graduate website 'Prospects' has a good section on what Geographers do when they graduate. Hope this helps.

(edited 13 years ago)

Reply 2

diesha

Thanks for your reply!, yes it did help thanks.
And, i will take a look at that website.
I'm just worried that with the economic downturn we are in now, may cause me not to have a job with that degree if i were not to go into teaching as it would not be something that would be in demand.
What are you working as now?

Thanks, once again.

Reply 3

diesha

*that would not be in demand

Reply 4

fivebyfive

diesha

I have only just finished a MSc, but I took a year out between my Geography degree and further study. I didn't have any trouble getting interviews with just my Geography degree, and even got an internship at the UN!

Make sure you do other things too, as these go along way in the work world e.g. volunteering. Try and apply to very good universities. I was talking to a career adviser at my university,and they seemed to think that Geography was highly respected by many employers. It is very broad, you develop lots of different skills, numerical, written, technical....

Obviously, things are always going to be simpler career wise, if you choose a vocational course. Like medicine, with an ultimate end job insight. Yet, if you want to keep your options open, IMO Geography is one of the best choices you make.

As far as I am aware only a few universities do Human Geography from year 1, but many let you specialise from your second year onwards. I always knew I wanted to do Human from the onset, but i did mixed. This is as when I applied, way back in 2005, there were very few 'decent' universities that I found that just did Human, this may have changed though. I ended up enjoying the physical units though! If you want any more advice PM. Good luck!

(edited 13 years ago)

Reply 5

diesha

Oh wow, what did you do your MSc in?, yes thats probably what i would too if i was to go on to do further study. And, wow that is really good!, i was wondering if just a degree in geography may not be enough, as further tudy now seems to be more common, but so much more money :frown:

, and time!

Yes i do some voluntary work, charity shop, however i need to be doing some more.
Yes, i have no idea what universities to apply to, to be honest with you. Where did you go?

Yes, thats what my parents go on about when i say that i may want to do this.
And, yes i may do the mixed one where you speciallise after as i think its a little more broader, not too sure. Yeah, i was worried about the physical topics too, but im guessing they will be ok as you say you enjoyed them :smile:

Thankyou!

Reply 6

Sneha B

I have the same question. I got into kings college london for a BA in geography but what worries me are my career peospects. I have heard UK doesn't offer international students jobs anymore.

Reply 7

hezzlington

Original post by Sneha B

I have the same question. I got into kings college london for a BA in geography but what worries me are my career peospects. I have heard UK doesn't offer international students jobs anymore.

This thread is from 2010 but I'll try and answer your question.

I used to work for my local council in travel/transport department as a Seasonal Personal Travel Plan Advisor working as part of the European RoCK (Regions of Connected Knowledge) Project, delivering Personalised Travel Planning to clients in selected households across my town (select demographic of people)

I had to approach people at their homes or place of work conducting surveys about their methods of transport around my home town. I got to converse with clients and analysing their travel patterns whilst successfully optimising their journeys by suggesting cheaper, greener alternatives.

I didn't have a degree, but both my bosses had degrees in Human Geography, one of them studying for a Masters in GIS which was to be utilized later in the project timeline.