Geographers & Geographic Information Systems Specialists

Geographers study the distribution and location of physical and cultural phenomena at the local, regional and global scale. Specialists in geography are concerned in understanding and studying the impact of economics or even planned delivery programmes on physical and human landscapes.

Emerging primarily from an interest in understanding the world, it’s structure and size, the study of geography is gradually pervading areas where an understanding of physical and cultural phenomena is used to interpret economic, political and cultural life.

The content and method of study of Geography places it between observational sciences such as geology and the critical humanities such as history, sociology and political sciences. It brings together the best of both disciplines. Courses leading to a science degree in geography concentrate more on physical geography in topics such as bio geography, climatology, geomorphology and hydrology. Geography in the arts stream focuses on economic, social, history and urban geography. Both BA/ B Sc courses in geography cover the basic groundwork in physical and human geography.

Geographic Information Systems

Geographical information system(GIS) uses computers for storing and processing information about the Earth’s surface and land use. GIS specialists focus on the scientific theory of geographic information and analysis and develop new geographic information systems and application. This option blends computing skills with geographical knowledge.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a rapidly growing technological field for resource planning and management. It has applications in the fields of Infrastructure Development such as in land use planning, utilities management, landscape assessment and planning, transportation and infrastructure planning, real estate analysis, telecommunications, power transmission and distribution and many other unlimited applications. While GIS and Remote sensing have already influenced us in many aspects of life the future application of this technology will address asset management process. GIS finds application in the power sector, transportation, roads and highways sector, agriculture etc. The future is bright for professionals trained in GIS.

Nature of Work

Geographers

Geographers working in various sectors study the distribution of soils and its mineral content, vegetation, landforms, climate, and water resources. Their job involves surveying, mapping , cartography and even the use of some meteorological tools. Geographers follow up the field work by analysing aerial photographs and other data they have collected. They prepare maps, diagrams and graphs to record their survey data.

Geographers study both physical & human geography.

Physical geography

Physical geography is concerned with the study of physical phenomenon. Climate, landforms, vegetation, and the oceans have tremendous influence on human lifestyles. Physical geographers understand and analyse climatic patterns.

Physical geographers specialise in hydrology, the study of the presence and distribution of water on the earth’s surface and in the atmosphere or in Geomorphology which studies the formation and development of landforms by the process of deposition and erosion or bio geography which studies the distribution of plants and animals at the world, regional and local scales.

Human Geography

Human geography is the study of the interaction of people with the environment, the historical, economic aspects as well as cartography and urban and regional planning.

Medical geographers

Medical geography is the study of health patterns . The study of salt field workers in Gujarat and their health requirements is an example of the work medical geographers may cover. The special areas of study encompass the impact of vegetation, minerals, water supply, climate and environment on life in the region.

Cartographers

Cartography is that branch of geography in which physical data is collected which is required for the preparation of maps.

Urban Geographers

Urban Geography covers urban development and deals with issues related to development. Urban geographers work on urban projects particularly assisting in the planning of residential locations, shopping areas, traffic related projects, as well as give advise regarding geographical location of industries to suit the facilities required by the unit.

Regional Geographers

Regional Geography encompasses in depth observations and recording of physical, cultural, economic and political data to enable an analysis of current regional situations.

Economic Geographers

Economic Geography involves recording economic and industrial activities of a region such as location of manufacturing industries, mining locations, farming activities, communication services, trade and marketing etc. This data is used by planners, businesses, transport developers etc.

Political geographers

Political geography is concerned with national and international frontiers and also the impact of natural resources and physical features to matters concerning local and regional affairs.

Geographic information systems

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) incorporates the use of computer graphics , computer programming, and communication technology for mapping, data accumulation and selective use of this data for analysing natural, cultural and economic information for making weather forecasts, emergency management and the use of physical resources.

GIS involves a systematic and scientific analysis and GIS programmers may work on new information systems and applications. Analysts collect data in the field and hand it over to GIS executives who scan and digitise them.

The first stage involves drawing a map in accordance with the data. The maps are then scanned and made “intelligent.” Typically, a map on paper looks flat and it is only when the data sheet is attached that it become intelligent. Maps that are in the Indian government archives like the Geographical Survey of India can be digitised by GIS. Data attached can be the length of a road, its width, the number of bus stops etc. Geographic Information Systems has emerged as a very important field in developed countries where e.g data regarding health can be used to identify the demographics of illnesses. GIS is used for planning public utilities, demography studies, environmental planning, natural resource monitoring and exploration, highway planning, collating and comparing census data, business telecommunication, radio transmission, roads, port management, railways, local administration, energy, agriculture, forestry, local administration etc.

Geographic Information Systems designers work as a team with professionals and scientists drawn from a number of fields there by increasing the job avenues to a vast array of related sectors.

Geographers & Geographic Information Systems Specialists - Study and Training

Study and Training

Although geography is a social science subject there is heavy weightage on mathematical and statistical work. Students may opt to study the subject along with science, commerce or humanities options at school. At the university level the subject falls within the purview of social sciences and hence is located in this faculty. A graduate course in the subject is only a foundation for professional preparation and essentially must be followed by a postgraduate or even a doctoral degree.

Geography incorporates in content and method observational sciences such as geology and the critical humanities such as history, sociology and political sciences. It is a subject which bridges the natural and social sciences.

In order to take up a post-graduate programme in geography it is necessary to have taken it up as a Pass/Honours subject at the graduate level.

At the postgraduate level students take up an area for special study. Advanced studies in meteorology or oceanography requires a science degree in geography or applied geography or geological sciences.

Students keen on studying Geographic Information Systems must have a graduate degree in engineering or a post graduate degree in science. Graduates with some mapping experience can study GIS. Mathematical and analytical background is needed for studying GIS.Work Environment

Employment Avenues

While currently many geographers are working as academicians in schools, colleges and universities an increasing number of geographers are required for jobs in diverse sectors. Geography postgraduates study both human and physical geography imbibing a broad range of skills that can be applied to teaching and careers such as mapping, cartography, aerial surveys, remote surveying, town planning, environment planning.

Geographers work for textbook publishers, map companies, manufacturers of geographical equipments, overseas trading firms, market research organisations, real estate developers, NGOs, travel agencies, loans division of investment and financial firms and as geographic information systems specialists (GIS).

Geographers job involves planning i.e. future-oriented problem solving as required for transportation planning/ urban and town planning. Town Planners work with the government, housing societies, building industry and leisure management companies. Insurance surveying also offers opportunities for work. Geographers with a scientific background may find opportunities for working with the meteorological office, in environment protection organisations, or in soil survey work.

Geographers are also employed as forest managers, demographers in government and research organisations or as researchers in agricultural or economic institutes. Geography can be offered for Civil Services (Prelims & Mains) exams conducted by the UPSC. Geographers work as consultants for trading firms in commodities, shipping and insurance. A background in this subject can also be an asset for a career in travel writing or photography.

Surveying is a prominent activity for geographers. Geographers are mainly concerned with surveying for the protection or improvement of the urban or rural environment with the efficient use of resources. It may also be a commercial activity with a builder or an insurance company. Geography is a useful subject in travel writing, adventure tourism, and for travel show hosts.

Geographic Information Services (GIS) are employed for organisations dealing with urban planning, disaster management, power, telecommunication, defence, mining, pollution monitoring and water resources management. Town planners, administrative offices, telecom companies and utility services require the services of a GIS professional. Even marketing companies and multinationals use GIS to explore new markets and chalk out distribution strategies. India is emerging as a major data conversion centre for GIS for companies in the US, Europe, Japan and Austria.

Geomatics involves processing of raw data from remote sensing satellites for commercial applications. GIS/GPS experts are exploring the use of new mapping technologies like Internet GIS, high-resolution mapping and mobile mapping for applications in disaster management, health, environment, transportation, railways, defence, power, telecom, industry and agriculture.

In a GIS firm the typical hierarchies a person follows is of a Junior Engineer, GIS engineer, Project leader, Project Manager, GIS operator, Supervisor or GIS Data Quality Control.

Geographers spend time in the field while collecting data but most of their time is spent in an office where they collate and analyse information. GIS is an indoor work at a computer terminal.

The field work is demanding as the terrain where work is assigned could be a difficult one. Geographers may have to spend substantial periods of time away from home at the site.

Personal Characteristics

Geographers must have acumen to handle statistical data. Observation, skill for drawing inferences based on compiled information, writing reports and making judgements will be required. GIS will require sharp academic and computing skills and a creative approach to identify programming methods suited to specific requirements.

Keen interest in the physical surroundings powers of observation, good colour vision, precision, interest in outdoor work, patience, perseverance, indifference to unpleasant weather conditions, good physical health, scientific approach and love for exploration are required.