What can you do with a geography degree?

Geography grads are uniquely equipped to take on roles that shape a more sustainable future, with skills that can be applied to in-government, business and industry, research, and non-profits organizations. A degree in geography will prepare you for many exciting careers like:

• Environmental consultant: Help organizations and municipalities make informed decisions about land use, sustainability, and conservation.

• Urban or regional planner: Design and manage how communities grow, adapt, and respond to challenges like extreme weather events brought on by climate change.

• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) specialist: Use GIS to map, analyze, and solve problems, whether you’re tracking wildlife, managing resources, or optimizing delivery routes.

• Climate change analyst: Study environmental data to develop policies and strategies that protect people and ecosystems.

• Policy and government advisor: Inform policy decisions with your geographic expertise, helping shape plans for disaster management, infrastructure, and resource management.

• Education and research: Teach others about the planet or conduct research that deepens our understanding of natural and human systems. 

With the right mix of coursework, experience, and curiosity, you can shape your own path in geography. Here are some ways to get started.

Start by choosing a program that matches what you’re most curious about. At Waterloo, you’ll find programs like Geography and Environmental Management, Geomatics, and Climate and Environmental Change that let you specialize while still exploring a variety of topics. Many students combine geography with minors in fields like sustainability or urban planning to tailor their education even further.

Take advantage of opportunities for fieldwork, lab courses, and community-based projects to build practical skills that employers want. Make sure to investigate what opportunities your program has for hands-on experience like courses with field work or a co-op program.

Geography is a field that thrives on curiosity and collaboration. Get involved in clubs, attend public talks or conferences, and look for volunteer projects that align with your interests. 

If you’re wondering about the earning potential with a geography degree, you're not alone. It’s an important factor when deciding what to do with a geography degree and planning your next steps.  

The amount you can earn with a geography degree depends on a range of factors, including your experience, area of specialization, location, and the current job market. 

There are many tools and resources that let you look up salary information based on the roles and regions you're interested in. You can look up the careers mentioned earlier, such as environmental consultant, climate change analyst, or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) specialist, and explore their typical pay ranges.

A great place to begin is by checking the labour statistics in the region where you plan to work. For example, Job Bank Canada can give you information about average wages or job demand by region, typical education requirements, average salaries, and more. 

Other widely used sources include Indeed and Glassdoor. These platforms let you search for specific job titles — like “GIS analyst” — and view estimated salary ranges based on location, experience, and skills. 

These can be valuable tools, but it’s important to remember that these numbers are often averages and estimates, not guarantees. Your career path — and earning potential — can grow in unexpected and rewarding ways as you gain experience and explore new opportunities.

One amazing thing about studying geography is that it lends itself well to exciting adventures and unique opportunities! Whether it’s conducting hands-on research in remote locations, using remote sensing technology to track environmental changes, or visiting wildlife preserves, geography can take you places — both literally and figuratively.

Matthew, a Geography and Environmental Management student, is a wonderful example! He spent several summers surveying severe storm damage across Canada, quickly discovering just how powerful hands-on learning can be. His first tornado survey, in a Quebec community devastated by a series of tornados, transformed the way Matthew thought about geography from a set of concepts into something deeply human. Fieldwork like this helps Waterloo students connect what they learn in the classroom to the very real impacts felt by people and communities.

To learn more about Matthew’s experience and hear from five other students from Waterloo’s Faculty of Environment, check out our article on experiential learning in Environment.

Geography is more relevant than ever in today’s rapidly changing world. As global challenges like climate change and urbanization grow more complex, the demand for people who can think spatially and work across disciplines is growing too.

New technologies are opening even more possibilities for geography grads. Tools like remote sensing, drone mapping, spatial data science, and AI-driven GIS are helping researchers and decision-makers respond to crises faster, design smarter cities, and better understand our planet in real time.

Geographers are also playing key roles in 

• environmental justice and sustainability planning,
• disaster risk reduction and emergency response,
• smart city development and transportation networks,
• global health mapping and pandemic planning, and 
• digital cartography and location-based app design. 

Geography is about how we move, connect, adapt, and thrive in a changing world. Whether you're passionate about tech, the environment, or social change, there's a growing space for you in this field. With the right education, real-world experience, and a curious mindset, you can build a career that’s not only versatile but deeply meaningful.