Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
cies and international business concerns are the principal employers. Virtually hundreds of such
people are hired by the U.S. State Department and Central Intelligence Agency to “keep current” on
theirregion(mainlybyreadingnewspapersandgovernmentreportsprintedintheregionofexpertise)
so as to be able to provide the best possible information and advise to policy makers. In the business
world, area specialists act in much the same capacity, focusing particularly on economic geography,
human/cultural geography, and climatology. As the global economy becomes more interconnected,
job opportunities for area specialists in the business world are likely to grow.
Cartographer/GIS Specialist
Cartographers and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) specialists are concerned with production
of maps, which are indispensable tools for displaying information about places and regions. Govern-
ment agencies of all kinds use them for analytical and display purposes — ditto for construction and
utility companies, architectural and engineering firms, and a host of other employers. The U.S. De-
fense Mapping Agency alone has thousands of cartographers in its hire, and that is just the tip of an
employment iceberg that keeps growing. Nowadays, professional cartography is largely computer-
based and complemented by GIS, which facilitates storage and mapping of a wide range of informa-
tion about places.
Educator
The prospects for landing a job as a geography teacher in this country are the best they have been in
at least 30 years and keep getting stronger. Sure, a long time ago geography largely disappeared from
the curriculum as a stand-alone subject and became submerged in that academic goulash called social
studies. Times have changed. The National Standards movement has not only resuscitated the teach-
ing of geography, but has also mandated in many states that those who teach it have solid academic
preparation in the subject. Sadly, the number of people who are so qualified is rather slim. The posit-
ive flip side of that statement is that opportunity awaits tomorrow's teachers who specialize or major
in geography. Also, growing awareness of the importance of geographic perspectives and technology
by the government and business communities bodes well for future prospects in college teaching.
Environmental Manager
Environmental managers monitor and protect natural resources. Environ-mental protection agencies
hire these professionals, as do public and private enterprises involved in waste disposal, water supply,
forest conservation, wetland and coastal zone management, and other resource-related pursuits. Mon-
