Geographers
Study the nature and use of areas of the Earth's surface, relating and interpreting interactions of physical and cultural phenomena. Conduct research on physical aspects of a region, including land forms, climates, soils, plants, and animals, and conduct research on the spatial implications of human activities within a given area, including social characteristics, economic activities, and political organization, as well as researching interdependence between regions at scales ranging from local to global.
Sample of reported job titles:
Earth Observations Scientist, Geographer, GIS Geographer (Geographic Information Systems Geographer), GIS Physical Scientist (Geographic Information Systems Physical Scientist), Scientist
Occupation-Specific Information
Tasks
- 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.
Technology Skills
- Analytical or scientific software:Groundwater Vistas,HydroSOLVE AQTESOLV,IBM SPSS Statistics,Minitab,MODPATH,Pattern searching software,RockWare MODFLOW,SAS statistical software,Systat Software SigmaPlot,The MathWorks MATLAB,Wolfram Research Mathematica
- Computer aided design CAD software:Autodesk AutoCAD
- Data base user interface and query software:RIVERMorph
- Geographic information system:Caliper Maptitude,ESRI ArcGIS software,ESRI ArcIMS,ESRI ArcInfo,ESRI ArcView,Geographic information system GIS software
- Graphics or photo imaging software:ACD Systems Canvas,Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop,Corel CorelDraw Graphics Suite,Golden Software Grapher,Lemkesoft GraphicConverter
Occupational Requirements
Work Activities
- Analyzing Data or Information:Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
- Getting Information:Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Working with Computers:Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Processing Information:Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events:Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Detailed Work Activities
- Advise others on business or operational matters.
- Collect archival data.
- Collect geographical or geological field data.
- Compile geographic or related data.
- Conduct anthropological or archaeological research.
Work Context
- Electronic Mail:100% responded"Every day"
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled:91% responded"Every day"
- Face-to-Face Discussions:74% responded"Every day"
- Spend Time Sitting:70% responded"More than half the time"
- Structured versus Unstructured Work:70% responded"Some freedom"
Worker Requirements
Skills
- Reading Comprehension:Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Speaking:Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Writing:Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
- Active Listening:Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Critical Thinking:Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Knowledge
- Geography:Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
- English Language:Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Education and Training:Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
- Sociology and Anthropology:Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
- Computers and Electronics:Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:
- 43%Bachelor's Degree
- 35%Master's Degree
- 22%Doctoral Degree
Worker Characteristics
Abilities
- Deductive Reasoning:The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
- Inductive Reasoning:The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
- Oral Comprehension:The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Oral Expression:The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Written Comprehension:The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Interests
- Investigative:Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
- Realistic:Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
- Artistic:Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Work Values
- Independence:Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
- Achievement:Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
- Working Conditions:Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Work Styles
- Analytical Thinking:Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
- Attention to Detail:Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
- Dependability:Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
- Achievement/Effort:Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
- Integrity:Job requires being honest and ethical.
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