Careers

A page within Geography & Earth Science

SUMMER 2023 COURSES
FALL 2023 COURSES

In today's global marketplace, it's becoming more and more important to distinguish yourself from the crowd and maximize your marketability to potential employers. Geography allows you to follow your passion for studying and understanding the natural world and gain employable skills.

Jenna DeShaney, '18

Geography: Environmental Science

"I work at a national consulting firm as an Environmental Scientist. I apply many of the disciplines I've learned at UWL to my career, including field work techniques and GIS."

Taylor Prill, '20

Geography: Environmental Science

"UWL has provided me with the strong foundation in research, planning and knowledge needed to be where I am today."

Career Opportunities

There are hundreds of occupations that require knowledge of and skills in Geography and Environmental Science, and the diversity of career opportunities continues to grow. Below is a sampling of the types of positions available to graduates from our program.

Job Title Median Wages
Atmospheric Scientists, including Meteorologists $94,570a
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists $68,900a
Climate Change Analyst $71,360b
Conservation Scientists and Foresters $63,750a
Environmental Restoration Planners $71,360b
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians $47,370a
Environmental Scientists and Specialists $76,530a
Geographer $85,220a
Geospatial Data Technician $51,130b
Geospatial Information Scientists and Technologists $88,500b
Hydrologists $84,030a
Remote Sensing Technician $50,550b
Soil and Plant Scientists $63,200b
Surveying and Mapping Technicians $46,910a
Surveyors $61,600a
Transportation Planner $83,330b
Urban and Regional Planners $78,500a

Sources:

a2021 Median Pay from the 2022 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook

b2019 Median Pay from the 2020 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook

 

Additional information about careers in Geography, including wage and growth data, can be found at the American Association of Geographers' Jobs and Careers Page. You are also encouraged to discuss careers with Geography and Earth Science Faculty. See where Geography and Earth Science alumni are working by joining the department's LinkedIn group. Receive job announcements by joining the department's Google Group by contacting Anita Willis-Frels. 

 

Where Our Graduates are Employed

Graduates from our program have achieved a high rate of success finding meaningful employment in discipline-related fields. Click "Read more" below to expand the table and view a sampling of where our majors have worked.

 

Job Posting Sites to Search

Conservation expanding section
GIS Job Search Websites expanding section
Governmental expanding section
Jobs in Minnesota expanding section
Jobs in Wisconsin expanding section
Jobs in the Midwest expanding section
Other Geography Job Search Sites expanding section