What is geography?

If you like working with data analytics, traveling, or have an interest in why things are where, then there is a place in the geography major for you.

“If you say ‘geography,’ most people think of the category on Jeopardy or memorizing their state capitals. Of course, that's very important too,” said Kevin Raleigh, UC’s Department Head of Geography, as well as the Interim Director of European Studies. “Geography looks at why things are important where.” 

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“Geography is a very good all-around degree that gives you skills that involve data and spatial analytics, working with people from all walks of life, and has a long-standing job prospect,” said Raleigh. 

Geography applies to almost all business settings. This makes for transferable skills that are useful in many professions in today's job market.

Here are some of the careers UC geography students have gone onto pursue:

• Computer mapping/GIS for governmental agencies
• Environmental impact analyst
• Urban, regional planning
• Weather forecasting
• Market research (mapping demographic trends)
• Cartographer
• Education
• Geographic software programming/technical support

For recent graduate Sarah Goodman, studying geography at UC made sense because of Cincinnati's location.

“I was working at the Environmental Protection Agency across the street. I’ve always had an interest in studying water — my dad worked a lot with water emergency response,” said Goodman. “Place and geography matter in research for water.”

Despite her sights being set on working with water from the beginning, Goodman had her fair share of hopping around regarding her research.

“I had a student job at the EPA initially. And the way my research was going, I kind of sparked some new research ideas in geography specifically,” said Goodman.

Thanks to the wide skillset she learned while at UC and the growing need for geography majors in the job market, Goodman was able to entertain every interest in her career field before settling on one.

“The well-roundedness that I got from UC’s program is what I think got me my job,” Goodman said. “Geographers can be kind of a jack of all trades. They prepared me really well for a research job, or a job working for the state, which I am in now.”

Ryan Tumney, a fourth year geography major, has found the adaptability of the major valuable.

“The geography curriculum has made me a much more critical thinker. It makes you realize just how many ways a single problem can be addressed,” said Tumney.

The skills Tumney has learned during his time in the program have taken him far. He has won the Geography Department’s Centennial Scholarship, a co-op lined up for the 2025-26 school year, and a study abroad trip to Ireland.

As a student who loves to travel, the department’s study abroad opportunities help Tumney apply his knowledge gained in the classroom while fulfilling a passion. 

“The main reason I chose to study geography is that I have always loved to visit new places, even if it could be a town or two over. In a way, a deep study of geography is the closest thing to actually travelling somewhere,” Tumney said.

Like Tumney, geography students and professors alike have a passion for the world. UC’s study abroad program offers students the opportunity to use what they learn in classes across the globe.

One of many is the biennial trip to Yucatan, Mexico. The geography and Latin American studies programs come together to put what they have learned in their degrees into practice. 

Additionally, the Geography Department offers an annual trip to Ireland each year, led by Raleigh. Like many geographers and future geographers, his love for travel stems from his love for geography.

“After being so many times, I still marvel at the landscapes, the differences, the people, the cultures, how and why little towns across Ireland settled where they did,” Raleigh said.

If you’re curious-minded, love to explore, or like to use data about your surroundings to solve real world problems, consider studying geography at UC.

 “If you have an interest in places, if you’re interested in why things are the way that they are, then geography is for you,” Raleigh said.

Featured image at top: Geography students in UC's College of Arts and Sciences have lots of opportunities to pursue their unique interests. Photo/Unsplash