The University of Maryland Geographical Sciences major graduates have been successful in many different fields post-graduation. Using information from the University of Maryland graduation survey, we have compiled information about GEOG majors, such as where they work or go to graduate school post-graduation. Check out the topics below to learn more about planning for your career! Review additional resources on the Feller Center's webpage.
Quick View: Careers and Skills related to GEOG Major
Explore Career Paths
Start Planning
Related Job Titles
Job Titles:
- Associate Consultant
- Data Analyst/Specialist
- Data Scientist
- Ecological Modeler
- Environmental Pollutant Data and Modeling
- Freelancer
- Geospatial Analyst
- Geospatial Information Scientist
- Geospatial Specialist
- GIS Analyst
- GIS Consultant
- GIS Developer
- GIS Mapping Support Specialist
- GIS Specialist
- GIS Technician
- GIS Research Associate
- Remote Sensing Technician
- Remote Sensing Data Analyst
- Surveying and Mapping Technician
Organizations:
- Abbtech
- AECOM
- Anne Arundel County Department of Health
- ASRC Federal
- Conexon LLC
- Davey Resource Group
- Deloitte
- Esri
- Exelon Clearsight
- GIS and Geospatial Center at University of Maryland Libraries
- Geospatial Consulting Group International
- IIC Technologies, Inc
- Michael Baker International
- National Park Service
- National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
- Spatial Front, Inc.
- U.S. Census Bureau
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- U.S. Forest Service
- WeLink
ENTRY TIPS:
- Important qualities/skills generally include: data analysis, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- GIS internships are available in a variety of fields, including both government and private sector. For more information about careers, review these Vault articles:
- Review qualifications for current openings so you have time to gain in-demand skills as a student!
Job Titles:
- Cartographer
- Cartographic Analyst Apprentice
- Geographer
- Human Geographer
- Mapping Specialist
- Maritime Cartographer
- Maritime Geographer
- Nautical Cartographer
- Surveying and Mapping Technician
Organizations:
- Geomni
- IIC Technologies
- Leidos
- NAVSEA
- NOAA
- The Nature Conservancy
- University of Maryland
- U.S. Census Bureau
- U.S. Forest Service
- U.S. Geological Survey
ENTRY TIPS:
- Important qualities/skills generally include: statistics, analysis, and interpretation skills.
- Join professional associations such as the Association of American Geographers.
Job Titles:
- Consultant
- DEVELOP Team Member
- IT Specialist
- IT Technician
- Network Engineer
- Research Assistant
- Software Engineer
Organizations:
- ActioNet
- AppGuard Inc.
- Booz Allen Hamilton
- Center for Global Development
- Hughes Network Systems
- National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
- Sapient Corporation
- Science Systems and Applications, Inc.
- Triumvirate Environmental
- USAID
ENTRY TIPS:
- Important qualities/skills generally include: data analysis, statistics, and interpretation skills.
- Many positions require statistical skills. Utilize LinkedIn Learning to learn programs such as R, SPSS, Stata, data visualization and more!
- Learn more about IT Career Paths
Job Titles:
- Comprehensive Planner
- Environmental Planner
- GIS Planner
- Land Use Planner
- Regional Planner
- Surveying Technician
- Trail Planner
- Transportation Planner
- Urban Planner Assistant
Organizations:
- AECOM
- Bureau of Transportation Statistics
- City of Rockville
- Fairfax County Government
- GPI/Greenman-Pedersen, Inc
- Maryland Department of Planning
- Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
- Rails-To-Trails Conservancy
ENTRY TIPS:
- Important qualities/skills generally include: data analysis, statistics, and interpretation skills.
- Local governments are a great place to find internships in planning.
Start Exploring Career Titles/Work Areas
Use the sample job and internship titles (mentioned above) to start exploring career paths. The links below provide a short overview of the positions. Review more career areas related to this major as well as tips to succeed.
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, a career title dictionary
- O*NET Online, the nation's primary source of occupational information
- Career assessment options, FOCUS2, Strong Interest Inventory, etc.
- GEOG Career Paths within the field
- Federal positions by major, research career titles with the federal government related to your major
- Vault Career Guides, browse 100’s of industry guides to gain inside tips
Explore organizations who have recruited GEOG majors in the past.
Resources: Career Planning & Graduate School
Explore career path options with these resources:
- What Do Geographers Do
- Environmental Careers, provided by UMD Environmental Science and Policy Program
- Preparing for a Geography Career, career tips from the American of Association Geography
- Federal opportunities: USAJobs, Application tips, Federal position options by major
- GEOG Careers & Networking Panel 2023
Additional career fields to research and consider:
Start researching your career path of interest to identify if there are additional educational requirements. Sample job titles that require an advance degree:
Graduate programs listed by topic:
- Biogeochemistry, Ph.D. | Cornell University
- Business Administration, M.B.A. | University of Maryland
- Data Science, Graduate Certificate | Georgetown University
- Geography, M.A. | George Washington University
- Geography, Ph.D. | University of Maryland
- Geospatial Information Sciences, M.S. | University of Maryland
- Geospatial Intelligence, M.S. | University of Maryland
- Human Paleobiology, M.S. | George Washington University
- Natural Resources, M.S. | Cornell University
- Nursing, M.S. | University of Maryland, Baltimore
- Public Policy, M.P.P. | University of Maryland
- Remote Sensing, Ph.D. | Brown University
Graduate School Resources:
- Questions to consider before applying
- Application timeline: stay on track with your graduate school application
- Tips for completing the application
- Financing ideas for graduate school
Market Skills Developed: GEOG Major
Geographical Sciences majors have skills in…
- Reading and interpreting maps, charts, and photos
- Applying remote sensing techniques
- Representing facts graphically
- Designing and constructing charts, maps, and models
- Analyzing data
- Problem solving
- Evaluating impacts
- Simplification of information
- Using advanced mathematics, computer science, and statistics
The Computational Earth Observation Science major allows students to explore the analytical capabilities offered by current Earth-observing satellite missions, including the different types of information collected by various satellites and how this information is analyzed to solve important environmental and societal problems.
Students specializing in Geospatial Data Science gain the technical skills needed to acquire, manage, and analyze large amounts of geographic data. Students will get computer training in digital processing of remote sensing observations and cartographic vector data, spatial analysis, and the display of information in Geospatial Information Science (GIS) software.
Skills lead to jobs. Which skills do you possess?
- Careers and Skills related to GEOG Major
- Assess your skills, abilities, interests, and values.
- LinkedIn Learning skill based videos.
Highlight your skills in your application materials.
Gain Experience
Internships are a great way to try out an interest, regardless if they are directly related to your major. Employers tend to favor job seekers who have had an internship in the field they are hiring for.
Sample internship titles/sites
- Cartograph Roads Project Intern, Charles County Government
- Database Manager, NASA
- Geospatial Intelligence Intern, National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism
- GIS Intern, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
- GIS Intern, University of Maryland - Campus GIS
- Intern, Humanitas Global
- Intern, Geospatial Data Center
- Project Management Intern, Clark Construction
- Senior Intern, Maryland State Geographical Information Committee
- Summer Intern-Environmental Education Intern, Howard County Nature Conservancy
- Review the GEOG internship directory for more organizations
Sample list of opportunities: Start your search with these tips
- GEOG blog - list openings and advice for undergraduate students
- BSOS Blog - browse links on out of the classroom experiences
- Handshake - check out job and internship openings for off-campus positions for UMD students
- Undergraduate Internships and Fellowships- ORISE- STEM Internships and fellowships provide opportunities to conduct authentic research
- UMD National Scholarships Office - internship opportunities in DC
- Federal government internships - links to openings and application tips
- GIS job and internship openings - list of sites
- Summer Internships: Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security (ARLIS), UMD | Seek undergraduates studying geospatial analysis, human geography (e.g., pattern of life/mobility modeling)
The Department of Geographical Sciences offers - internship, study abroad, and independent study related information on their website
Prepare to apply: Tips to customize your resume, cover letter, etc.
Review this comprehensive list of organizations where past UMD Geographical Science students have successfully acquired internships.
BSOS Students Gain Experience Through:
Build Connections
After researching career paths, consider talking with people working in your field of interest to gain inside information. The links below provide sample events where you may be able to meet professionals in your field of interest. Use these opportunities to learn more about your field of interest, establish new networking contacts, and informational interviews.
- Career Events for BSOS students | Events for GEOG students
- Terrapins Connect, is an online platform that allows students’ virtual access to UMD alumni who have volunteered to share industry specific information and as well as conduct resume reviews, among other things.
- Use LinkedIn to Locate Alumni & Recruiters
- Intern for a Day, matches students with professionals working in a field of interest to shadow for the day or offer informational interviews- offered in the fall and spring
- Get contact information: Employer & Industry notes for BSOS majors
Consider reviewing state and national associations related to criminal justice to access career path information and even attend association sponsored events to network with professionals in your field of interest. Start exploring areas below:
- American Geosciences Institute, nonprofit federation of geoscientific and professional associations that represents more than 250,000 geologists, geophysicists, and other earth scientists.
- American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS), is a scientific association serving more than 7,000 professionals worldwide. Mission is to promote the ethical application of active and passive sensors, the disciplines of photogrammetry, remote sensing, geographic information systems, and other supporting geospatial technologies; to advance the understanding of the geospatial and related sciences.
- Association of American Geographer, promotes discussion among its members and with scholars in related fields, in part through the activities of its affinity groups and more than 60 specialty groups. The meetings and activities of our regional divisions provide the opportunity to network with colleagues near you.
- Cartography and Geographic Information Society, offers resources and event information.
- National Society of Professional Surveyors, offers resources and membership is open to all professional surveyors and to persons trained, registered, or interested in the profession of surveying and mapping.
- UMD student groups, join on-campus groups to network with others with similar career interests.
- American Planning Association, includes information events, education, resources, and jobs in the field of urban planning.
