BA offered by the Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change
Are you interested in exploring how human societies and physical environments are deeply connected and constantly changing? Are you curious about urbanization, uneven development and inequality, migration and identity formation, and environmental change? If so, York’s Global Geography program may be for you. You’ll combine methods from the social sciences, humanities, and physical sciences to find solutions to critical global challenges. You’ll acquire knowledge and skills through interactive classroom activities, field and lab exercises, and community engagement, preparing you to address societal and environmental challenges.
Career Options in Global Geography
Here are just some of the career options related to this major. As all degrees offer transferable skills, some jobs are more closely linked to this field, than others. Check Canada’s Job Bank for regional requirements.
- Academic/Researcher
- Adventure Tourism Planner
- Aerial Survey Technician
- Cartographer
- Climate Change Analyst
- Construction Surveyor
- Digital Forensics Analyst
- Disaster Risk Reduction Specialist
- Drone Pilot/Technician
- Environmental Consultant
- Environmental Impact Assessor
- Environmental Management Specialist
- Geographic Information Officer (GIO)
- Geo-Intelligence Officer
- Geodetic Engineer
- Geomatics Consultant
- Geomatics Engineer
- Geospatial Analyst
- Geospatial Data Scientist
- Geospatial Intelligence Officer
- Geospatial Solutions Architect
- GIS Manager/Director
- GIS Programmer/Developer
- GIS Specialist/Analyst
- Heritage Conservation Officer
- Hydrographic Surveyor
- Land Administration Specialist
- Land Surveying Manager
- Land Surveyor
- Location Intelligence Specialist
- Marine Geospatial Analyst
- Market Research and Location Analyst
- Military Intelligence
- Natural Resource Manager
- Photogrammetrist
- Policy Analyst
- Real Estate Location Analyst
- Remote Sensing Specialist
- Smart Cities Planner
- Space Exploration Specialist
- Sustainable Development Consultant
- Transportation Network Analyst
- Urban Planner
- Urban Planning Specialist
Some career choices may require further education, such as graduate studies or professional courses and exams. For detailed career descriptions and specific requirements, please check Canada’s Job Bank.
Entry-Level Positions in Global Geography
An undergraduate degree is typically sufficient for these positions, though some locations may require additional qualifications. For region-specific information, please check Canada’s Job Bank.
- Cartographic Technician
- Climate Change Outreach Assistant
- Community Outreach Coordinator
- Conservation Technician
- Environmental Compliance Assistant
- Environmental Education Assistant
- Environmental Technician
- GIS Data Analyst
- GIS Technician
- Green Infrastructure Assistant
- Land Use Planner
- Natural Resource Management Assistant
- Parks and Recreation Assistant
- Policy Research Assistant
- Public Engagement Specialist
- Research Assistant
- Sustainability Coordinator
- Transportation Planning Assistant
- Urban Planning Assistant
- Watershed Management Technician
For career descriptions, visit Canada’s Job Bank. Some occupations may also be found on Career Cruising; for login information, navigate to the Career Centre’s homepage in Experience York.
Skills Developed through a Degree in Global Geography
Core Skills
- Combine approaches from the social sciences, humanities, and physical sciences to identify solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
- Learn how to analyze global processes including urbanization, uneven development and inequality, migration and identity formation, and environmental change.
- Acquire technical know-how and experience in geographical information systems, data analysis, research methods, and field techniques
Communication, Data Gathering and Organizational Skills
- The ability to present your thoughts clearly and intelligently in written statements and opinion pieces, efficiently conveying your message and supporting it with evidence
- The capacity to explain ideas clearly to others and to apply complex theoretical concepts to everyday practice and professional dilemmas
- The skills to collect various types of information, focus on relevant and reliable sources, considering potential linkages from different fields
- The ability to understand, organize, and analyze information and to apply novel forms of technology to different professional settings and tasks
- The capacity to critically analyze problems, think creatively and make sound decisions while considering different sides of an argument
Management and Teamwork Skills
- The capacity to lead and interact with a variety of people with different approaches, and personal and professional backgrounds
- The ability to interpret and analyze information presented by peers and efficiently and constructively support or challenge their proposals, theories, ideas and reports to successfully achieve a project’s intended result
- Skills enabling you to work effectively in group situations, partaking in decision-making, leading and contributing in various capacities to the ultimate success of the team and task
- The ability to debate, persuade, mediate and present your thoughts and opinions to others, as well as the capacity to recognize and incorporate other potential solutions or applications to given problems
- The capability to identify priorities and proper courses of action, to plan the execution of tasks and to determine and delegate responsibilities to group members to most effectively carry out projects
Professional Associations
Professional associations offer valuable insights into qualifications, industry trends, and career opportunities. They provide networking events, workshops, mentorship programs, and internships, as well as job boards and career development resources. Additionally, some associations offer professional licensing and regulatory oversight.
- Canadian Association of Geographers (CAG): Promotes geographic research, education, and application in Canada. It supports conferences, publications, and networking opportunities for professionals and students in the field of geography.
- GoGeomatics Canada: Organizes meetups, conferences, and provides a job board, for fields like GIS, cartography, and geospatial analysis.
- Canadian Cartographic Association (CCA): Supports cartographers, geographers, and spatial visualization professionals in Canada. It offers workshops, conferences, and resources to advance the art and science of mapping.
- Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP): Supports professionals working in areas such as land use, urban development, and environmental planning, offering certifications and professional development opportunities.
- Canadian Institute of Geomatics (CIG): Focuses on advancing the field of geomatics in Canada, supporting geographers, GIS specialists, and surveyors through publications, events, and professional development opportunities.