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Geographer skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Quoted experts

Kelly Austin Ph.D.,

Kelly Austin Ph.D.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical geographer skills. We ranked the top skills for geographers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 18.6% of geographer resumes contained spatial data as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a geographer needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 geographer skills for your resume and career

1. Spatial Data

Spatial data refers to data that directly or indirectly represents a particular geographical location on the earth's surface. Based on the storing technique, spatial data can be classified in two categories, namely raster data and vector data. The former includes grid cells identified by column and row, while the latter is made of polylines, points, and polygons.

Here's how geographers use spatial data:

Created procedure and process manual for the geospatial databases managed by the Geography team.
Create or edit geopspatial data based on project requirements.

2. ArcGIS

Here's how geographers use arcgis:

Process Boundary and Annexation Surveys (BAS) from governments utilizing ArcGIS and MAF Tiger Partnership software (Census specific).
United States Geological Survey - Gathered and interpreted data from various sources around the western United States using ArcGIS

3. Remote Sensing

Here's how geographers use remote sensing:

Collected information about specific features of the Earth using aerial photography and other digital remote sensing techniques.
Summer internship working within the Geographic Studies Branch of the Population Division towards the DEMOBASE product using remote sensing techniques.

4. Python

Python is a widely-known programming language. It is an object-oriented and all-purpose, coding language that can be used for software development as well as web development.

Here's how geographers use python:

Program web based GIS applications using JS, HTML5, Adobe Flex, and Python.
Run batch and model processes with Modelbuilder and Python.

5. Data Collection

Data collection means to analyze and collect all the necessary information. It helps in carrying out research and in storing important and necessary information. The most important goal of data collection is to gather the information that is rich and accurate for statistical analysis.

Here's how geographers use data collection:

Organized, implemented strategies and participated in extensive field data collection, ground-truthing and reconnaissance activities.
Conducted data collection and analysis, planning and execution with specific methodology for 12 assigned projects to ensure quality assurance of data

6. Esri

The ESRI (Environmental Systems Research Institute) is a worldwide provider of geographic data framework (GIS) programming, web GIS and geodatabase the board applications.

Here's how geographers use esri:

Received Special Achievement in GIS Award from ESRI.
Work with ESRI, USGS, TIGER, SanDAG, SanGIS, and Google map data files.

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7. Statistical Data

Statistical data is a numerical data collected by censuses and/or survey from respondents, or from administrative sources to be edited, imputed, aggregated, and/or used in the compilation and production of official statistics.

Here's how geographers use statistical data:

Collected a variety of statistical data and prepared reports and maps.

8. GPS

GPS stands from Global Positioning System. It is a navigation system comprising of satellites that helps in determining the location, velocity, and synchronize time data for different modes of travel like air, sea, or land.

Here's how geographers use gps:

Supported field work preparation including data dictionary creation, geophysical and reconnaissance transect development, and provided daily GPS quality checks.
Uploaded data and utilized GPS units and locator tools to navigate to obscured equipment and environmental monitoring wells.

9. ArcCatalog

Here's how geographers use arccatalog:

Used ArcMap and ArcCatalog extensively and was able to apply my GIS skills to real problems on a town level.
Created maps associated with soil and groundwater remediation using ArcCatalog and ArcMap 9.3.

10. Google Earth

Here's how geographers use google earth:

Utilize MapPoint, Google Earth, and other satellite imaging with an intensive background in GIS.
Used Google Earth in juxtaposition with available imagery for facilitation of feature identification.

11. Data Management

The administrative process that involves collecting and keeping the data safely and cost-effectively is called data management. Data management is a growing field as companies rely on it to store their intangible assets securely to create value. Efficient data management helps a company use the data to make better business decisions.

Here's how geographers use data management:

Managed and developed a successful Implementation team for Electronic Data Management System that managed scanned image of mapping assets.
Managed multiple projects that required data creation, spatial analysis, data management, map product creation and data maintenance.

12. DOD

Definition of Done (DoD) is a set of deliverables that are needed to devise software. These deliverables are valuable to the system and can be exemplified by writing code, coding comments, unit testing, integration testing, design documents, release notes, and so on.

Here's how geographers use dod:

Provided concept-build for additional MOUT's for all of DOD.
Created DoD standard compliant data deliverables for integration with SDSFIE, ERIPMS and ISO compliant data warehouses.

13. Visualization

Here's how geographers use visualization:

Imagined, designed, and developed a population estimation and visualization application to illustrate the makeup of populations surrounding regulated facilities.
Applied innovative visualization techniques to numerous intelligence databases to create layered Multi-Intelligence products for tactical and national level customers.

14. USGS

Here's how geographers use usgs:

Illustrated reports, journal articles, book chapters, field maps, and USGS pamphlet.
Close collaboration with personnel from USGS EROS data center and The Nature Conservancy.

15. Arcview

Here's how geographers use arcview:

Used ArcView and ArcGIS to update databases, maps, and other drawings per requested by anybody within district.
Used ArcView 100+ hours to convert and digitize road and trail data into ARCGIS map format.

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What skills help Geographers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on geographer resumes?

Kelly Austin Ph.D.

Associate Dean of Interdisciplinary Programs and International Initiatives, Lehigh University

On Global Studies students' resumes, the skills that employers often comment are most important to them involve skills in collaboration, working with people from diverse backgrounds, communication skills, critical thinking skills, and writing skills.

What soft skills should all geographers possess?

Kelly Austin Ph.D.

Associate Dean of Interdisciplinary Programs and International Initiatives, Lehigh University

The soft skills that are important for GS graduates are those I named above, and more broadly, many comments that experiences like studying abroad and engaging in research or international internships have them stand apart from other applicants. GS graduates are excellent at critical thinking and seeing issues from multiple perspectives or viewpoints.

What hard/technical skills are most important for geographers?

Kelly Austin Ph.D.

Associate Dean of Interdisciplinary Programs and International Initiatives, Lehigh University

Employers often comment it is not so much about hard skills anymore. Hard or technical skills can often be taught on the job. It's the broader critical thinking, written and oral communication skills, and diverse experiences abroad, and working with different people from different backgrounds that matter most.

What geographer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Dr. Elizabeth Wentz Ph.D.

Interim Director, Arizona State University

I would recommend that students should focus on something that they are passionate about. Chances are, a student taking a gap year is single - without a spouse, kids, mortgage, and those kinds of responsibilities. A gap year should drive their passion - whether traveling the world, volunteering at shelters and food pantries, or living in the rainforest. The key is then to state how these experiences opened up their life and their knowledge for new adventures in a cover letter.

What type of skills will young geographers need?

Bingqing Liang Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Geography, University of Northern Iowa

-The ability to find answers using existing resources (news, textbooks, the Internet, Webinars, etc.),
-Communicate effectively (either orally or in writing, it can't be both),
-Skills in programming and statistical analysis

Do you want to know more?

List of geographer skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a geographer resume and required skills for a geographer to have include:

Spatial Data
ArcGIS
Remote Sensing
Python
Data Collection
Esri
Statistical Data
GPS
ArcCatalog

Google Earth
Data Management
DOD
Visualization
USGS
Arcview
Statistical Analysis
Data Layers
Conduct Training

CAD
Army Corps
Data Analysis
Geographic Programs
Google Maps
Climate
LiDAR
Digitizing

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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Updated January 8, 2025

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