Skills you’ll develop
While studying Geographical Sciences, you’re gaining a hands-on understanding of how earth and atmospheric systems can have broad and significant impacts. You’ll develop important skills to explore interactions between life and the Earth’s atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.
These skills may include:
- Application of knowledge about physical environments and spatial relations
- Geo-spatial data analysis
- Designing and creating maps/graphs
- Designing, planning and managing projects
- Surveying and field sampling
- Evidence-based approach to researching, consulting and advising
- Technical report writing and accurate maintenance of field notebooks
- Technical knowledge in using geographic information systems (GIS), cartography, statistics, remote sensing, MATLAB, Python, R, Jupyter Notebooks, and computer coding
Explore career possibilities
Career opportunities vary widely across a range of fields including streamflow management, coastal ecosystem monitoring, fire management, avalanche prediction, environmental and resource sector consulting, scientific interpretation, and others.
There are many career paths that can combine your academics, skills, and experience with your different interests. Read through the job titles below for ideas. Some career options may require further education or training.
Visit the National Occupational Classification website to research basic requirements and responsibilities of jobs in your field.
- Aerial photo technician
- Aerial survey technician
- Agronomist
- Agricultural advisor
- Biogeographer
- Cartographer
- Climatologist
- Ecologist
- Environmental planner
- Field technician
- Forestry technician
- Geographer
- GIS technician
- Geomorphologist
- Environmental health officer
- Hydrologist
- Land surveyor
- Museum curator
- Park planner
- Photogrammetrist
- Real estate appraiser
- Remote sensing technician
- Researcher
- Teacher/Professor
- Transportation planner
- Urban planner
- Water inspector
Make the most of your specialization
Your experiences will open doors to new opportunities and help clarify your values and interests.
- Geography Students’ Association
Meet other UBC students with similar interests through events and programs. - Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science clubs
Check out related student groups and events. - UBC Sustainability programs and clubs
Browse on-campus paid and volunteer opportunities related to sustainability. - UBC Science Co-op
Gain work experience in geographical sciences between study terms. - Departmental research opportunities
Reach out directly to faculty members to ask about potential research positions. - Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre
Take selected field courses in coastal and marine sciences for university credit. - Register as a Professional Geoscientist
Learn what courses you need to become certified for this role. - Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions internships
Apply your classroom knowledge to real-world settings through climate change mitigation or adaptation projects. - BCIT Advanced Diploma in GIS
Develop your technical skills for a career in Geographic Information Systems through this diploma for university grads. - Cartographers’ Guild
Practice your cartography skills in fictional lands for novels and games.
Build your network
Employers often hire people they know, so help them get to know you. You can build your network through clubs, classes, informational interviews, and more. There are so many ways to make connections and find mentors.
The professional associations below are also great resources for meeting people, learning about specific industries, and finding job and volunteer opportunities. Most have reduced membership rates for students and new grads.
- Association of American Geographers
- Association of BC Land Surveyors
- BC Institute of Agrologists
- Canada Centre for Remote Sensing
- Canadian Association of Geographers
- Canadian Cartographic Association
- Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists
- Canadian Institute of Planners
- Ecology Society of America
- Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia
- Environmental Careers Organization (ECO) Canada
- Geological Association of Canada
- GoGeomatics Canada
- Royal Canadian Geographical Society
Connect with alumni on LinkedIn
Find UBC Geographical Sciences graduates on LinkedIn to learn about where they’re working, and their career and academic paths.
More information
From your Science degree, you’ll develop skills and experiences that can translate into many career paths. Check out other things you can do with your Science degree.