Career Compass: Geography

As a geography student in the Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources you will learn about the relationship between people and their environment by examining human activity including cultural, social, and political conditions, inequality, consumption, sustainability, colonialism, land use, urbanization, and economics.

Skills you will gain by studying GEOGRAPHY

• An understanding of the interrelationship between social, cultural, economic and political factors affecting societies and the environment
• The ability to describe, analyse and interpret information about populations and places within a spatial perspective
• A recognition of the challenges facing local, national, and global sustainability efforts and the ability to advocate for equitable conversation of valuable landscapes
• The ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Course requirements:
6 credit hours from GEOG 1280, GEOG 1290 and/or GEOG 1700

To do this year:

1. Know the requirements for your degree. Meet with a academic advisor in the Riddell faculty to help you plan your program.
2. If you need academic support, visit the Academic Learning Centre for workshops or to meet with a learning skills instructor.

CAREER TIPS

Start planning your career:

1. Meet with a career consultant to generate career ideas based on your interests, values, personality and skills.
2. Research occupations that match your skills and interests.
3. Set up a UM Connect account to view job postings and register for workshops and events.
4. Set up your Experience Record, an official record of university-approved activities.

VOLUNTEER & WORK EXPERIENCE

Link experiences to your career interests. Options include:

1. Student groups including Environment and Geography Students Association, UMEARTH and Students for Sustainability.
2. Volunteer for UM Orientation events to help welcome new students to campus while gaining experience..
3. Student work opportunities including Work-Study, STEP Services or Federal Student Work Experience Program.
4. Experiential education opportunities such as UM Community Volunteers and the Student Leadership Development Program.

CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES

Considering international opportunities? Visit the International Centre website to learn about international opportunities for UM students.

Explore communities and cultures you want to work with: Visit Migizii Agamik, the International Centre for Students or learn about local agencies via 211 Manitoba.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Course requirements:

Honours or advanced: 6 credit hours from GEOG 2520, GEOG 2640 and/or GEOG 2870, 12 credit hours GEOG at the 2000/3000 level

General: 12 credit hours GEOG at the 2000 level

To do this year:

1. Should you follow a 3-or 4-year plan? Meet with a Riddell advisor and career consultant to map out your options.
2. Consider taking a minor and choose courses that will open opportunities.

CAREER TIPS

Make professional connections:

1. Join the Career Mentor Program to learn from professionals.
2. Attend career fairs to connect with employers.
3. Become a Student affiliate with the Canadian Association of Geographers.
4. Develop professional connections with professors by applying for an Undergraduate Research Award.

Market your skills: Develop your resumé and cover letter and refine your interview skills.

VOLUNTEER & WORK EXPERIENCE

Explore student research opportunities: Apply for an Undergraduate Research Award and inquire about research assistant positions.

Gain practical experience by volunteering: Check out the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Canadian Red Cross and Parks Canada.

Obtain certificates employers may require, including: Become a Clayton H. Riddell Faculty Student Ambassador.

Earn while you learn: Consider applying to the Co-operative Education program once you have completed 60 credit hours to work for places such as the Storm Prediction Centre.

CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES

Develop global career skills and expand intercultural learning: Consider an international student exchange, Land-based Education and Community Engaged Learning programs, My World Abroad or SWAP for a "working holiday".

Staying local? Register for GEOG 4350: Parks and Protected Areas for a field study in Banff National Park or the WUSC Student Refugee Program. Consider learning a new language and culture through the Language Partner Volunteer Program.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Course requirements:

Honours or advanced: GEOG 3730 and 3 credit hours from ENVR 2810, WOMN 3000, ANTH 3930. Refer to academic calendar for course requirements.

Honours: 18 credit hours GEOG at the 2000/3000 level

Advanced: 6 credit hours GEOG at 3000 level

General: 12 credit hours GEOG at the 3000/4000 level 

To do this year:

1. Meet with a Riddell advisor for honours or advanced program approval.
2. Confirm eligibility to graduate with an academic advisor and declare intent to graduate in Aurora (3-year option).

CAREER TIPS

Investigate your career options:

1. Look at sample job postings to ensure you have the qualifications upon graduation.
2. Develop employability and essential skills sought by employers.
3. Create a LinkedIn profile to network with professionals.

Consider continuing your studies: Check out the Faculty of Graduate Studies, Extended Education or other professional programs.

VOLUNTEER & WORK EXPERIENCE

Check out student job opportunities with: Canadian Border Services Agency, City of Winnipeg, Lower Fort Garry and Riel House.

Search for job opportunities online: Check out ECO CANADA, GeographyJobs.ca or the Canadian Heritage Information Network.

Use your networks and connections: Inquire about unadvertised job openings (the "hidden job market").

CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES

Participate in the multicultural opportunities on campus: Visit the International Centre website to learn about international opportunities for UM students, participate in the Intercultural Development and Leadership Program, volunteer for the International Student Mentorship Program or take part in Graduation Pow Wow.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Course requirements:
Honours: GEOG 4660, plus 18 credit hours GEOG at the 4000 level

Advanced: 12 credit hours GEOG at the 4000 level, 6 additional credit hours GEOG at the 2000 level or above

To do this year:

1. Meet with a Riddell advisor for honours or advanced program approval.
2. Confirm eligibility to graduate with an academic advisor and declare intent to graduate in Aurora.

CAREER TIPS

Start job search 9 months in advance: Contact Career Services to refine your job search and self-marketing strategies. You can visit the office up to 6 months after graduation.

If you are continuing on to a professional program or graduate school: Finalize your application materials and required tests. Use the awards database to search for funding and awards to help finance your continuing education. Contact your department to find out how their awards deadlines are advertised.

VOLUNTEER & WORK EXPERIENCE

Ensure you have references in place: Ask your professor for a reference or a letter of recommendation if you're applying for graduate school.

Assess your resumé: Identify any gaps in experience and fill them through volunteering, work placements or internships such as the Post-Secondary Recruitment Program.

CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES

Prepare to work in a multicultural environment: Visit Canada's National Research Centre for Truth and Reconciliation on explore Manitoba Start, which offers events and free workshops for newcomers to assist their job search.

Sample jobs with an undergraduate degree and related experience

Academic Advisor
Border Services Officer
Census Geographer
Citizenship/Immigration Agent
Community Development Officer
Demographer
Emergency Preparedness Analyst
Foreign Service Officer
Nature Interpreter
Intelligence Officer (CSIS)
International Aid Worker
Municipal Heritage Consultant
Policy Analyst
Population Health Analyst
Tourism Development Officer
Travel Consultant

Options requiring other education

Archaeologist
Disaster Response Manager
Geography Teacher
Historian
Landscape Architect
Lawyer
University Professor
Urban and Regional Planner

Industries such as agriculture, community development, conservation and water stewardship, education, government and utilities would value a geography degree in combination with the employability skills that are highly sought after by employers. These include:*

• Oral & written communication
• Critical thinking
• Problem solving
• Teamwork
• Digital literacy
• Numeracy & data use
• Continuous learning

*Information has been adapted from Employability Skills 2000⁺ and Workplace Education Manitoba – Essential Skills.

Details of that report can be found here.