Careers in Geography - Careers in Environmental Science
- Why Employ a Geographer?(Presentation to SMUGS careers night)
- Past Graduates
- Monash Environmental Alumni (MEA)
What is Geography and Environmental Science?
Geography and Environmental Science is concerned with the relationships between people and the natural environment. The special character of Geography and Environmental Science lies in the fact that it encourages students to draw on perspectives from both the sciences and the social sciences, towards an integrated understanding of environmental patterns, dynamics and processes, the role of people in environmental change and how people respond to environmental change, the structure and functioning of cities,
urban and regional development, geographical patterns of economic activity, geopolitics and development in the Third World. Within the School at Monash you can specialise in the study of the physical characteristics and history and functioning of the Earth and its environments ('physical geography'), patterns of economic, social and political activity ('human geography'), and the ways in which people interact with the natural environment (environmental science and management). The School has also recently introduced a Programme for Australian Indigenous Archaeology to provide a basis for understanding past people-environment relationships.
An Emphasis on Skills-based Learning
Employers expect university graduates to have acquired skills that equip them with a range of both general and specialist skills. The School of Geography and Environmental Science takes a practical approach to education and training, through which we emphasise the development of, and experience with, skills that will equip you for rewarding and challenging careers.
Depending on the programme you select, the specialist skills of a graduate might include:
- archaeology, environmental monitoring (e.g., atmospheric, hydrologic, biogeographic)
- environmental and social impact assessment
- the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- use and analysis of the Census
- urban and economic analysis
- survey and questionnaire methods
- soils and landscape classification
- field-based measurement and analysis
- advanced laboratory skills
- approaches to environmental restoration
- methods of policy analysis
- state of the environment reporting
- urban, social and community planning.
At the same time, students are encouraged to develop a range of generic skills such as:
- numeracy and statistical methods
- keyboard skills and familiarity with a range of essential software
- efficient and effective use of the internet
- research design and implementation
- report writing
- critical analysis
- effective presentation skills (oral and written)
- time management and organisational skills.
What are the Career Opportunities?
The career paths that are available to graduates are determined to some extent by your choice of whether to emphasise physical geography, human geography, archaeology or environmental science and management in your degree.
Career opportunities in physical geography include:
- soils and land management
- environmental assessment, restoration and management
- climatology, meteorology and atmospheric science
- hydrology and water resource management
- Geographic Information Systems (environmental applications)
In human geography the opportunities include;
- regional economic development
- urban and regional planning
- Third World development
- social and community planning
- market research and analysis
- property and real estate
- Geographic Information Systems (marketing, land use planning, geodemographics)
Environmental science and management offers careers in:
- environmental and social impact assessment
- environmental and resource management
- resources and environmental policy
- environmental restoration
- waste management
- corporate environmental management
- conservation and management of biodiversity
In Indigenous Archaeology, the opportunities include:
- cultural heritage consultancies
- government heritage agencies
- museums
- university
- Indigenous organisations
Graduates in Geography and Environmental Science have been employed by a wide range of private and public sector agencies throughout Victoria, other states in Australia, and in various countries around the world. Private sector employers include environmental and planning consultancies, market research firms, development consultants, commercial, retail and manufacturing firms. In the public sector, graduates have established careers in most of the government departments and agencies in Victoria, as well as throughout Australia. Graduates have also found employment with international aid, development and conservation agencies. Employers of recent graduates have included:
- Department of Sustainability and the Environment
- Aust. Minerals & Energy Environment Foundation
- City of Greater Dandenong, Melbourne, Frankston, Monash, Nillumbik, Wyndham
- Universities of Adelaide, Monash, Queensland, Tasmania & Iowa
- Australian Nuclear Science & Technology Org
- Community Aid Abroad
- Melbourne Water
- Mitchell Madison Consulting
- Parks Victoria
- Bureau of Rural Sciences
- World Vision
- KPMG
- Oz Child
- World Bank
- Bureau of Meteorology
- Department of Environment, Science & Territories
- Natural Resource Systems
- Department of Premier and Cabinet (Vic)
- Carlton & United Breweries (Fosters)
- Department of Primary Industry (Qld)
- Country Fire Authority
- Department of Infrastructure (Vic)
- Environmental Protection Agency (Vic)
- National Native Title Tribunal
- Hawthorn International Education Ltd
- Brian McDermott and Associates Ltd.
- Melbourne Markets Trust
- Coopers & Lybrand
- Dun and Bradstreet
- Norwich Insurance
- Industrial Bank of Japan
- Agriculture Victoria
- World Wildlife Fund
- CSIRO
Bachelors, Masters and PhDs
A question that often arises is whether a bachelors degree is enough to get a good job. There is no straightforward answer to this question, although with the competition for jobs being fairly intense there is little doubt that people with higher qualifications will have the edge in many cases. Also, more advanced qualifications are usually required for jobs that are more rewarding, challenging and which have defined career paths. In light of this, the School strongly encourages those students with the required grades to consider doing the additional honours year (which will provide a better foundation in the search for a career). There is also the question as to whether you should pursue a post-graduate degree, such as a masters or a doctoral degree. Again, these additional qualifications may be required for certain careers and they will often provide a competitive edge. It is important, then, for students to seek advice on further qualifications in the later years of their degree programme.
For further information please contact
Head
School of
Geography and Environmental Science
MONASH UNIVERSITY
VIC 3800, AUSTRALIA
Telephone 61-3-9905-2910
FAX 61-3-9905-2948
E-mail:
geography@arts.monash.edu.au
http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/ges