| CAREERS FOR GRADUATES |
| Below is a sample of types of positions that Geography graduates have gone on to. Please note: this is not an exhaustive list, there are many careers available. |
HUMAN (social, economic, historical and cultural studies)
Cultural and human geography : aspects of geography that relate to different cultures (ie: cultural origins and movement). Historical geography: recreating the geography of past times and protecting historical landscapes and structures. Economic geography: location and distribution of economic activity.
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- Location analyst
- Market researcher
- Medical geographer
- Map librarian
- Historic preservationist
- Political analyst
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- Urban planner
- Real estate developer
- Demographer
- Travel/tourism planning
- Community developer
- Municipal advisor
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PHYSICAL
Examine distribution of the Earth’s surface features and analyze the processes that create and shape landforms. May include working with environmental concerns and/or studying the impact of natural hazards such as hurricanes, tornadoes, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes |
- Hydrologist
- Resource management specialist
- Outdoor guide
- Soil conservationist
- Pollution control consultant
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- Ecologist
- Geologist
- Climatologist
- Habitat researcher
- Atmospheric data technician
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COMPUTATIONAL AND ANALYTICAL METHODS
Use computers to generate maps and store map-related information. May be applied to problem solving in industry, agriculture, weather, military, government, land use and other related areas. |
- Cartographer
- Remote-sensing analyst
- Map curator
- GIS/GPS analyst
- Field surveyor
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- Computer mapping and software developer
- Map interpreter
- Aerial photo analyst
- Spatial data analyst
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ENVIRONMENTAL
Concerned with how human beings use the earth. Focus on human impact on the environment (population growth, food supply, water quality) |
- Conservationist
- Outdoor recreation management
- Waste management
- Forestry technician
- Hazardous waste planner
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- Ecotourism planner
- Wetlands conservation supervisor
- Conservation education coordinator
- Environmental impact assessment
- Recycling coordinator
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| WHO EMPLOYS GEOGRAPHY GRADUATES |
- Forestry, mining, environmental issues, waste management, architecture or surveying companies
- Insurance, communications, international trade, transportation
- Private industry including utilities, construction, energy, environmental planning
- Government agencies, NGOs (non-governmental organizations)
- Consulting firms
- Real estate developers
- Scientific or research groups
- Museums
- Market research organizations
- Boards of education/universities/colleges
- Outdoor recreation companies
- Magazines/newspapers
- NGO’s
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| SKILLS DEVELOPED BY GEOGRAPHY STUDENTS |
- Using specialized field equipment, satellite imagery and state of the art software
- Project design/planning
- Interview skills
- Gathering and organizing data
- Analyzing data
- Summarizing results
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- Surveying and sampling
- Computer modeling
- Using statistical applications
- Reading/constructing graphs/maps
- Communicating across cultures
- Conducting field studies
- Maintaining records
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Alumni Profiles
Learn from UofT graduates and how they transferred their degree to the world of work. We have dozens of alumni profiles in the Career Centre from grads who want to share their experiences and advice. Sample profiles are included below but you'll find more via our online UTM Alumni Profiles Database or in the UofT Alumni Binder, available in the Career Centre - SE3094.
Tanya Stephens
Degree: B.Sc
Major: Geographic Information Systems and Earth Science
Year Of Graduation: 2001
Engineering Technologist for the City of Niagara Falls.
“I create, maintain, analyze and implement solutions to complex technical problems related to spatial databases, applications, infrastructure system models, asset management models and budgeting analysis,” says Tanya, who also has a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) post-grad degree from Niagara College. [read more...]
Gergin Naoumov Profile
Degree: B.Sc
Specialist: Physical Geography
Year Of Graduation: 2003
Gergin Naoumov is an M.Sc. candidate in the University of Toronto’s Physical Geography program—a commitment he says requires diligence, patience, an ability to work with others, attention to detail, and a sense of humour. [read more...]
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| SAMPLE OF COMPANIES WHO HAVE RECRUITED UT GEOGRAPHY GRADS IN THE PAST |
- Credit Valley Conservation
- Hemson Consulting Ltd
- Riversides Stewardship Alliance
- Toronto Conservation Authority
- Clayton Research
- Yum! Restaurants International
- Transearch Group Inc.
- World Wildlife Fund
- Energy Probe Research Foundation
- City of Toronto
- Corporation of the Town of Whitby
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- Parks Canada
- Colliers International
- The Nature Conservancy of Canada
- BMO Financial Group
- Canadian Urban Institute
- Sobeys Ontario
- Generation 5
- Reamined Systems Inc.
- Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
- and many others
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| SAMPLE JOB LISTINGS FOR GRADUATING STUDENTS/RECENT GRADUATES |
- GIS Technician , MAPMedia Corp.
- Planning Analyst , E.R.A. Architects Inc.
- Intermediate Water Resources Specialist , Clarifica Consulting
- Project Engineer/Scientist , S2S Environmental Inc.
- Terrestrial Monitoring Specialist , Credit Valley Conservation Authority
- Project Analyst , Gaia Power
- Location Research Analyst , Pizza Pizza Limited
- Nature Interpreter , High Park Nature Centre
- Architectural Digitizing Technician , Vermuelens Cost Consultants
- Market Planner , YUM! Restaurants International
- EcoKids Program Manager , Earth Day Canada
- Quantitative Research Scientist , Environics Analytics Group
- Rouge Park Media & Communications Assistant , Toronto Conservation Authority
- Urban Design Coordinator , Bloor-Yorkville Business Improvement Area
- Marketing Research Analyst , Intercom Real Estate Services
- Hydrogeologist, Marshall Macklin Monaghan Limited
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| HOW TO GET EXPERIENCE |
Start early by seeking relevant summer, part-time and volunteer opportunities that will help you gain experience and develop the skills that employers want. Below is a sample of the types of temporary positions that have recently been posted with the Career Centre. To access the summer, part-time, temporary and volunteer postings, register with the Career Centre Online.
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| Summer Positions |
Part-Time Positions |
- GIS Co-Op Student, Ontario Realty Corporation
- Student Travel Consultant, Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corp.
- Fisheries Habitat Technician, Credit Valley Conservation Authority
- Student Planner, Toronto Transit Commission
- Park Interpreter, Ontario Parks
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- Meteorologist, The Weather Network
- Communications and Membership Coordinator, Ontario Clean Air Alliance
- Forestry Co-op Student, Regional Municipality of York
- Traffic Data Analyst, Transearch Group Inc.
- Animal Control Officer, City of Toronto
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| Volunteer Positions |
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- Common Grounds Research Assistant, Evergreen
- Public Outreach Volunteer, Riversides Stewardship Alliance
- Transport & Research Assistants, Transport Scarborough
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| Work-Study Program: the Work-Study program provides eligible U of T students with an opportunity to work on campus during the academic year and gain academic/career related experience. Previous postings have included: |
- Cultural Research Database Developer , OISE/UT
- Document Assistant , UT Centre for Urban & Community Studies
- Waste Management Research/Policy Analyst , UT Department of Geography
- Research Assistant – Water Pollution , UT Department of Economics
- ENSU Project Management Assistant , UT Innis College Environmental Studies Program
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Join An Association or Club
Erindale Environmental Association
Toronto Undergraduate Geography Society (TUGS)
TUGS @ U of T Mississauga
Research Opportunity Program (ROP)
Also consider the Research Opportunity Program at U of T Mississauga. Students earn course credit by participating in a faculty member’s research. Geography project titles from 2008- 2009 include: Stimulating Adaptation in a Changing Environment; and Building a Healthy City Through Research: Exploring the Role of Knowledge Translation.
Internship Opportunities
4 th year students enrolled in the Environment or G.I.S. program are eligible for an intern placement. Application, program and employer information can be found here. Deadlines for the following academic year usually falls in May.
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| LEARN FROM THOSE IN THE FIELD |
Alumni Binder
Learn from U of T graduates and how they transferred their degree to the world of work. We have dozens of alumni profiles in the Career Centre from graduates who want to share their experiences and advice. Also, check out our new online U of T Mississauga Alumni Database.
Information Interviewing Contacts Binder
Speak with professionals, many of whom are U of T graduates, willing to talk about their careers and eager to share their experiences and advice.
Extern Job Shadowing Program
Extern is a career exploration program that offers you the opportunity to meet with people working in your preferred career area for placements of 1-5 days. Placements take place in Reading Week or in May. Samples of previous Extern placements include: GIS Project Manager; Market Researcher; Urban Planner; and many other career areas.
Find a Mentor in your area of interest
Apply in September for the Alumni Mentorship Program, offered through the UTM Career Centre and Office of Advancement @ UTM. |
| RESOURCES |
| Career Centre Library Resources: |
Web Links: |
- Canadian Graduate Programs in Environmental Studies Directory 2005-2006
- The Eco Guide to Careers That Make a Difference
- Careers with a Conscience: Making a Difference While Making a Living (panel package 2006)
- Careers in Environment (panel package 2004)
- Canadian Environmental Directory 2003
- Environment: UTM Panel (video)
- Great Jobs for Liberal Arts Majors
- Careers for Non-Conformists
- What You Can Do With a Science Degree
- Put Your Science to Work
- Alternative Careers in Science
- Ontario Recreation Facilities Association: Membership & Products/Services Directory
- Government of Ontario Telephone Directory (General)
- Federal Guidebook: A Guide to Canadian Federal Government and its Decision-Makers
- Making It Into a Top Graduate School
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| The Career Centre Resource Library is located in SE 3094. For more information please visit us, call 905-828-5451 or e-mail: careers.utm@utoronto.ca |
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What's your next step? Take a look at our Sample Career Plan to see suggested steps that you can take towards developing your career-work search plan. Check out our Events calendar for upcoming career related events.
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 Back to Careers By Major Search Page |
