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Geographers study the earth and its land, features,
and inhabitants. Geographers study the physicial aspects
of the earth, such as landforms and glaciers, as well as how they influence
human populations. They also examine phenomena such as political or cultural
structures as they relate to geography. They study the physical and human
geographic characteristics of a region, ranging in scale from local to
global.
ANZSCO ID: 272499
Specialisations
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Human Geography
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Physical Geography
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Human-Environment Geography
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GIScience
Knowledge, skills and attributes
- a strong interest in the environment
- scientific and technical interest
- the ability to analyse and solve problems
- good communication and computing skills
- able to produce accurate and detailed work.
(Source:
Career in STEM)
Duties and Tasks
- create and modify maps, graphs, or diagrams, using geographical information software and principles of cartography
- gather and compile geographic data from sources including censuses, field observations, satellite imagery, aerial photographs, and existing maps
- analyse geographic distributions of physical and cultural phenomena on local, regional, continental, or global scales
- operate geographical information systems (GIS) hardware and software
- write and present reports of research findings.
Most geographers work full time during regular business hours.
Most geographers are employed in government organisations. Many
geographers do fieldwork, which may include travel to remote locations,
including overseas.
Tools and technologies
Geographers use a set of specialized tools to describe, understand and explain the structure of the Earth. Some of these tools have a long history of use in the geographical sciences, such as maps, the compass and surveying equipment. Other tools take advantage of modern technology made possible by the Information Age and Space Age, especially Global Positioning Systems.
Education and training/entrance requirements
Geographers typically need a bachelor’s degree in
geography, although some roles will require a master’s degree in geography.
Some positions might allow you to substitute work experience or GIS
proficiency for an advanced degree. Top research positions usually require a
PhD or a master’s degree and a number of years of relevant work experience.
Most geography programs at university include courses in both physical and
human geography, statistics or mathematics, remote sensing, and GIS.
Business, economics, or even real estate courses are increasingly important
for geographers working in private industry.
Employment Opportunities
Employment of geographers is projected to grow much
faster than the average for all occupations. However, because this is a small occupation, the overall growth will only
result in a small number of new job openings.
More widespread use of geographic technologies, including geographic
information systems (GIS), allow government agencies and private businesses
to make better business and planning decisions. Due to a greater focus on
environmental and sustainable practices, geographers are increasingly needed
to understand environmental changes and human impacts on the environment.
Governments and businesses also rely on geographers to research topics such
as resource use, natural hazards, and climate change.
Census geographers prepare highly specialized maps, reports and files of
geographic data, primarily for use in government population Census studies.
The maps, reports and data prepared by census geographers are commonly used
for a variety of applications, including:
• Marketing research
• Human geography research
• Determining electoral boundaries
• Determining the amount of elected officials per area
• Transportation planning
• Urban planning
Information prepared by census geographers might help determine where
schools are constructed or where new transit routes are placed. The data
they produce is also used in some countries used to determine the number of
representatives a given community will have in government; it may also
include data about the country’s agricultural and business sectors.
Among other insights, the 2021 Census shows that
the number of Millennials (those aged 25 to 39)
has increased to match the
number of Baby Boomers (those aged 55 to 74),
with 5.4 million in each age
group.
ANZSCO ID: 272499
Knowledge, skills and attributes
To
be effective in a career as a census geographer, you need to posses
a certain set of skills and personality traits. These skills and
traits will allow you to perform your job duties with competence and
maintain a positive attitude towards your work. As a result, many
employers list these as desired attributes on Census Geographer job
postings.
• Enjoy compiling information and data
• An interest in determining how people and their activity are
distributed in an area
• An energetic approach to work activities
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Able to develop attractive/effective reports, presentations and
materials using current technology
• Proficient using GIS software
• Proficient in creating and manipulating digital images in GIS
software
• Knowledge and understanding of Microsoft Excel/Access
• Able to interpret and use relevant scientific information (to
assist in planning and development for example)
• May require knowledge of Adobe Illustrator and other Adobe Suite
products
• Thorough understanding of geographical principles and statistical
techniques
Did You Know? The "Typical Australian" NATIONAL Who was the ‘typical’ Australian in 2016? Thanks to the 2016 Census, we know that the ‘typical’ Australian is a 38 year old female. Let’s call her ‘Claire’. A decade ago, the ‘typical’ Australian would have been a year younger. Australia’s population has changed a lot over the past 105 years – in 1911, when the first Census was taken, the ‘typical’ Aussie was a 24 year old male, but women have outnumbered men since 1979. The ‘typical’ Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person is also female, but she’s younger: 23 years old, in fact. Looking across the country, the Census tells us the ‘typical’ Australian male or female was born in Australia, has English ancestry and parents also born in Australia. But there are plenty of local differences. For example, a ‘typical’ person from New South Wales, Victoria or Western Australia has at least one parent who was born overseas. Want to know more? The Census also tells us the ‘typical’ Aussie is married with two children, completed Year 12 and lives in a three bedroom house with two motor vehicles. Men are from Maroochydore, women are from Werombi How about the differences between Australian males and females? The ‘typical’ Aussie male is 37 years old and spends less than five hours a week on domestic work. The ‘typical’ Aussie female is 38 years old and spends between five and 14 hours a week on domestic work. The ‘typical’ Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander female is 24 years old, which is two years older than the ‘typical’ Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander male. How we live now, as opposed to then The ‘typical’ Australian lives in a three-bedroom house. However, the ‘typical’ Western Australian has a bit more space, living in a four-bedroom house. This was the case in 2011 and 2006 as well. In 2016, the ‘typical’ Australian home is owned with a mortgage, but location makes a difference. The ‘typical’ Tasmanian home is owned outright, while the ‘typical’ Northern Territory home is rented. In 2006, the ‘typical’ Aussie home was owned outright. Where was the ‘typical’ migrant born? Australia has a growing proportion of people who were born overseas. The ‘typical’ migrant in Australia was born in England and is 44 years old (a change from 46 years old a decade ago). There are differences between the states. The ‘typical’ migrant in Queensland was born in New Zealand. In Victoria, they’re born in India. And in New South Wales, it’s China. We’re an eclectic lot While the Census provides plenty of info on the ‘typical’ Australian, it also shows we’re a big, diverse community. There’s nothing typical about Australians. (Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics [ABS]) |
Duties and Tasks
- Analyze data to provide current information for use in geographic publications
- Work on countrywide cartographic and geographic databases
- Plan and monitor field operations that involve updating maps and lists of addresses for jurisdictions across the country
- Write instructions and prepare training packages for use by field supervisors and staff
- Plan, coordinate and monitor field operations, which involve recording and mapping rural addresses across the country
- Update maps and distribute Census questionnaires to households across the country
Working conditions
Census geographers are employed on a part-time,
full-time and contractual basis by public and private organizations
that develop specialized maps and files of geographic data for use
in population Census studies. Such organizations may include:
• Municipal, State/Territory
and Federal government departments,
including municipal planning
• Consulting companies, such as cartography consulting companies
• Universities
• Public and private research organizations
• Marketing companies
Education and training/entrance requirements
To become a Census Geographer you need at least a bachelor's degree in Geography or a related field.
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Careers in STEM [Geographer;]
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