High School

Plan on continuing your education after high school, so take your school's college prep curriculum. Naturally, you will focus on science classes such as geography and earth sciences. In addition, you will benefit from taking classes in sociology, computer science, English, history, and mathematics.

Postsecondary Training

A bachelor's degree with a major in geography is the basic educational requirement for most positions as a professional geographer. Advanced degrees in geography or in geographic information systems are usually required for most college teaching positions, most jobs outside the federal government, and for those opportunities involving a considerable amount of research activity.

Many colleges and universities offer undergraduate programs in geography. A good number of these institutions also have a curriculum leading to a master's degree or doctorate in geography. Visit http://www.aag.org/cs/geogdepts for a list of schools. 

Courses taken by geography students include general physical geography; political, economic, human, urban, and regional geography; general courses such as business, economics, and real estate; and specialized courses such as meteorology, GIS technology, and cartography. Undergraduate study usually includes formal classroom instruction, as well as some field study (such as internships and field research).

Other Education or Training

Many professional associations provide continuing education opportunities to geographers. For example, the Association of American Geographers offers CE classes and workshops at its annual conference Recent workshops included Career Planning for Students and Recent Graduates, Entering the Geography Workforce, Becoming a Certified GIS Professional, and Professional Networking Strategies. The American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, Association of American Geographers, and the National Council for Geographic Education also provide CE opportunities. Contact these organizations for more information.

Certification or Licensing

Geographers who use GIS technology can receive voluntary certification from the GIS Certification Institute. Applicants must meet educational requirements based on a point system, complete course work and other documented education in GIS and geospatial data technologies, have work experience in a GIS-related position, and participate in conferences or GIS-related events. Applicants who meet the certification requirements and pass an examination may use the GIS professional designation. Certification is also offered by the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing.

To obtain experience, aspiring geographers should participate in internships, co-ops, volunteer opportunities, and part-time jobs with employers that use the services of geographers.

Prospective geographers need basic skills in statistics and mathematics. They should be able to interpret maps and graphs, express ideas in speech and writing, analyze information and spatial data and draw conclusions, and make sound judgments.