When you major in geography, you will study a discipline concerned with the spatial dimensions of human societies and earth’s environment, a discipline which is increasingly critical to understanding the complexities of global change. Learn about the contributions and unique insights geographers make about past, present and future issues involving, for example, natural resources, culture, economics and politics. Use state-of-the-art technologies such as web cartography, geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, and sustainability modeling.
Beyond your introductory courses, you can dive deep in to areas that interest you including environmental issues, world regions, and techniques of acquiring, mapping and displaying geographic data. An undergraduate seminar covering historical and philosophical aspects of geography, as well as practical matters such as jobs and graduate schools, completes your coursework.
Academics + Experience = Opportunities
Complement academic preparation with experiential learning, creating more opportunities after graduation. Talk to an academic advisor and a career coach about making the most of your time at Nebraska.
Four-year success plan
What to do each year
Catalog
Major requirements and courses
Printable summary
With sample four-year schedule
Transferrable Career Skills
- Confidently navigate complex, ambiguous projects and environments
- Define problems and identifying causes
- Conduct and present research to large and small groups
- Examine and address social problems, and implement creative solutions
- Analyze and explain data
- Collaborate with a team to develop solutions
- Contextualize political, social, and historical events
- Examine problems from multiple perspectives
- Gain global perspective and high levels of intercultural awareness
- Understand the connection between people, places, and communities
Experience
Experience is valuable and goes beyond the classroom. We strive to help you connect your academics with research, internships, education abroad, service learning and leadership experiences in geography, such as:
- Interning with the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources in GIS
- Learn more about internships
- Researching climate change implications for Nebraska
- Learn more about undergraduate research
- Studying abroad in Greece to learn about sustainability, environment and society
- Learn more about education abroad
- Serving as the Geography Student Organization president
- Learn more about getting involved in student organizations
- Volunteering at the Great Plains Art Museum
- Learn more about service learning
Opportunities
Your geography major will prepare you for careers in government agencies, foreign service, land management, tourism, health care delivery systems, environmental assessment, transportation development, land use planning, air traffic control, GIS and cartographic analysis, environmental mapping, geographic information systems and planning. You will also be prepared for graduate-level degrees in geography, law (especially environmental law), international business, urban and regional planning and teaching at all levels.
Examples of Alumni Careers
- Agricultural Statistician, USDA NASS
- Archeological Technician, Midwest Archeological Center National Park Service
- Geographer, United States CE, Engineer Research Development
- Geospatial Technician, Terra2 Geospatial Consultants
- GIS Technician, GIS Workshop
- GIS / CAD Technician, Lincoln Electric System
- Integrated Resource Technician, National Park Service
- Intelligence Analyst, BAE Systems
- Space and Missile Officer, U.S. Air Force
“I had taken Human Geography and really liked it, so I thought I should explore that interest by taking another geography course. I soon realized that I loved the subject, changed my major, and I haven't looked back since...I couldn't have made a better decision by becoming a geography major.”
Hannah Sievers
Geography at Nebraska
Geography is a social science major in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS). Our liberal arts degrees provide a broad education across the sciences, social sciences, and humanities, preparing students for a variety of careers.
Let curiosity move you.
Contact Us
Academic and Career Advising Center
107 Oldfather Hall
402-472-4190
casadvising@unl.edu