Six pairs of hands grasping a handful of dirt with seedlings

 

Wayfinding

Student Resources

Students should have consistent access to equitable and inclusive resources to create a fair and supportive learning environment for themselves. At AAG, we want to do what we can to provide consistent access to resources that best suits your identity, interests, and backgrounds. Explore these resources and organizations below and tailor them to your needs.

AAG Resources

An AAG membership is your link to consistent scholarship, events, and networking opportunities in geography. Undergraduates qualify for membership at $54 and Graduate Students/Post Docs can join for $70 annually. Additionally, if you’re entering graduate school and plan to present research at the Annual Meeting, a multi-year membership will allow you to register and submit your abstract year after year without any worries.

With a membership, you can also join a number of Affinity Groups or Specialty Groups that align with your research interests and stage of education. Specifically, the Community College, Undergraduate Student, and Graduate Student affinity groups strive to enhance the participation and representation of students within the organization and better prepare students for further study and careers in geography.

Additionally, connecting with one of your nine Regional Divisions allows you to network with geographers and other members in an area located near you. Held annually each fall, Regional Division Meetings empower AAG members to connect around regional issues of significant importance.

Connect with Geographers at our Annual Meetings

The Careers and Professional Development Center, offered annually, features a large track of panel sessions, workshops, and networking events focused on career and professional development opportunities for geographers. Sessions include career mentoring from geographers working in government, industry, academia, and nonprofit organizations; workshops on job interview skills, resume and cover letter writing, public speaking, GISP certification, non-academic career paths for geography graduates, and dozens of other topics. This is your opportunity to meet, interact, and network with professional geographers and learn about potential career opportunities.

The World Geography Bowl is a quiz bowl tournament held annually since the 1993 Annual Meeting, featuring teams of graduate and undergraduate geography students representing each of AAG’s regional divisions. Contestants are selected by regional divisions through a competitive process, which in many divisions includes participation in a regional geography bowl held at the division’s annual meeting. If you are interested in participating, contact your regional division leadership for more information.

Student Awards and Grants

AAG offers various grant programs and award opportunities to support Annual Meeting attendance (including applications available specifically for Community College students). Specialty Groups that you belong to may also offer conference travel funding for students. Additionally, annual Regional Meetings provide students the opportunity to win the AAG Council Award for Outstanding Undergraduate and Graduate Student Papers. Designed to encourage student participation, the award recognizes one graduate student and one undergraduate student in each AAG Regional Division, based on a paper submitted to their respective regional conferences.

Here are examples of other awards and grants:

Browse all student awards

Professional Development Resources

Whether you are a current student or recent graduate just starting out in your career, the AAG is here to help guide your Professional Journey. Our website includes both members-only and free information on the latest geospatial industry trends and a wide range of curated information on career pathways in geography.

  • Geography Career Profiles — If you’re curious about the jobs of geographers working in education, business, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies, read AAG’s career profiles to discover why individuals chose to pursue their career path and how exciting, meaningful, and successful a career in geography can be.
  • Ask a Geographer — an AAG outreach project that offers the media, government agencies, teachers, and students links to experts in various fields of geography. Experts are drawn from and categorized according to the AAG Specialty Groups and may be contacted directly, using the information provided.
  • Private Sector Careers — Learn how geographers are creating positive change within private companies large and small as they begin to recognize the value of geographic analysis in their everyday operations.
  • Federal Government Careers — The federal government has numerous, varied, and a constantly growing number of geography-related positions due to an expanding need for geographic expertise and analysis.
  • State and Local Government Careers — Geographers are involved in a variety of state and local government organizations and departments that focus on transportation, health, environmental protection, urban planning, economic development, and more.
  • Nonprofit and NGO Careers — With their ability to understand complex relationships between people, place, community, environment, and society, geographers are well positioned to apply their disciplinary perspectives to the nonprofit sector.
  • Academic Careers — There are many academic career paths available for geographers. These can vary, from a tenured faculty position at a large institution, to part-time adjunct teaching at a community college, to influencing the younger generation as a K-12 teacher.

As a member, you’ll have access to a large and growing network of professional geographer mentors who are there to provide career planning and/or research advice to geography students and recent grads. Members can browse through a list of nearly 50 Career and Research Mentors working across all sectors of the workforce and higher education, view their contact information and reach out with questions pertaining to geography research and career pathways.

You can also check out the AAG’s Student and Postdoc Opportunities database, which features the latest student assistantships, internships, postdoctoral research positions, and other opportunities for geography students of all stages. Check back often to view the latest listings. You can also log into the Careers and Professional Development Knowledge Community. This space provides an open forum for the exchange of information, ideas, and resources related to employment for geographers in the academic, business, government, and nonprofit sectors.

If you’re looking to start your career in geography or transition to a new field or position, utilize the AAG Job Board for all your growth needs. Members can view hundreds of open positions from a variety of employers, upload a resume to help employers find you, and sign up for job alerts to be the first notified of open positions relevant to your job search or interest.

Educational Resources

Navigating an array of educational resources can be a daunting task for students yet it is a crucial step in shaping their academic journey. If you’re looking to advance your education, explore our Guide to Geography Programs and Opportunities to take the important step to understand the different academic opportunities and how they align with your goals.

Groups and Organizations

Black Girls MAPP — BGMAPP is a community focused group that connects and empowers women of color in the field of GIS, and enables marginalized communities to visualize various social issues and empowers these communities with information to help them make more informed decisions using GIS. Follow their page on LinkedIn.

American Geographical Society (AGS) — AGS is a learning society established in 1851 dedicated to the advancement of geographic thinking, knowledge, and understanding across business, government, academe, social sectors, and most importantly with teachers and students. Their annual “Geography2050” symposium is held at the Columbia Climate School at Columbia University in New York City the third weekend of November. Students are welcome to present a lightning talk or exhibition poster.

American Geophysical Union (AGU) — AGU is a global community supporting a vast network of advocates and professionals in the Earth and space sciences. The organization offers a robust Career Center. Students and young pros – especially those with an interest in physical geography – can browse active job postings and access a wide range of career planning and professional development resources.

American Geosciences Institute (AGI) — AGI was founded in 1948, under a directive of the National Academy of Sciences, as a network of associations representing geoscientists with a diverse array of skills and knowledge of our planet. The Institute provides information services to geoscientists, serves as a voice of shared interests in our profession, plays a major role in strengthening geoscience education, and strives to increase public awareness of the vital role the geosciences play in society’s use of resources, resilience to natural hazards, and the health of the environment.

EDGE Geospatial — The mission of EDGE geospatial is to build a DEI focused network within the geospatial industry. They partner with geospatial companies to develop DEI frameworks and hold them accountable for changing the narrative within the geospatial industry. Fuel your passion for geography and open doors to endless possibilities with their non-profit organization scholarship program.

Esri’s Young Professionals Network (YPN) — Esri’s Young Professionals Network (YPN) is a community for those just starting their GIS journey or experienced professionals new to the field. Whether you attend professional development webinars or networking events, you’ll learn more about the power of location technology, connect with like-minded peers and industry experts, and gain leadership experience that can advance your career. Find a chapter near you.

Gamma Theta Upsilon (GTU) — GTU is a certified member of the Association of College Honor Societies National, representing an honor society for Geography. Five scholarships are awarded annually to GTU members for a range of applications such as graduate school expenses to resources to advance career aspirations. Additionally, in conjunction with the AAG, GTU offers other opportunities such as funding permits for attending the AAG Annual Meeting. Learn more about finding a chapter near you and how to qualify.

GIS Certification Institute — Get certified with the GIS Certification Institute (GISCI) and receive global recognition for your skills as a GIS professional. A GISP, or Geographic Information Systems Professional, is a professional designation certifying an individual’s knowledge and expertise in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). It signifies that the professional has met the minimum standards for ethical conduct and professional practice as established by the GISCI. The certification is endorsed by various organizations and is seen as a way to present oneself as a professional in the GIS realm. Learn about your pathway to earning a GISP.

Humanitarian Mapping Society (HMS) — The Humanitarian Mapping Society through OpenStreetMap aims to bring together those who want to help aid, relief, and humanitarian organizations through GIS projects. The HOT Community Working Group initiated programs such as Community Microgrants to provide support in low—and middle-income countries and a Mentorship Program to provide peer to peer learning and knowledge exchange in the humanitarian and open mapping space. Students can often get involved in or start chapters at their universities.

Institute for Geospatial Understanding through an Integrative Discovery Environment (I-GUIDE) — I-GUIDE is an institute funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) since 2021. It aims to transform geospatial data-intensive sciences through integration of AI and cyberGIS, reproducible data-intensive analytics and modeling, FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data principles, and innovative education and workforce development programs. Explore their website to learn about upcoming events and potential opportunities to get involved in ongoing projects.

Korean-American Association for Geospatial and Environmental Science (KAGES) — As a non-profit organization, the mission of KAGES is to foster the following for Korean or Korean-American students, scientists, and professionals in the geospatial-technical and environmental science fields. Learn more about upcoming student awards and scholarships.

NorthStar of GIS — NorthStar of GIS images a more racially-just world through a more racially-just GIS. They aim to advance intersectional racial justice, equity, and belonging for all people of the Black and Black African diaspora in the fields of GIS, geography, and STEM. From events to resources, learn more about their guidance to GIS and how geography and tech can impact industries all over the world.

URISA — The Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA) creates a vibrant and connected community, advocacy for geospatial challenges and issues, and essential resources for GIS professionals throughout their careers. From awards and scholarships to workshops and conferences, URISA delivers consistent training experiences and invites GIS professionals to share their work, lessons learned, and research. For those looking for leadership opportunities, check out URISA’s Vanguard Cabinet, young professionals who are recognized as “NextGen GIS leaders”, providing valuable direction and enthusiasm to the community. The URISA Mentorship Network fosters relationships between young GIS professionals and experienced mentors who can provide insight, share knowledge, and support mentees in their professional growth.

USGIF — The U.S. Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational foundation dedicated to promoting the geospatial intelligence tradecraft and developing a stronger GEOINT Community with government, industry, academia, professional organizations, and individuals who develop and apply geospatial intelligence to address national security challenges. The organization offers a wide range of educational resources and hosts regular events focused on career pathways within the Geo intelligence industry.

Women in GIS — This inclusive group of women and allies comes together to provide support, resources, and opportunities for success as individuals navigate their geospatial careers. Regardless of sexual or gender identity, everyone is welcome here. To get involved, view their calendar of events or see how you can receive an award or scholarship to help advance your education.

YouthMappers — YouthMappers is a global community of students, researchers, educators, and scholars that use public geospatial technologies to highlight and directly address development and environmental challenges worldwide. While many minds together created the foundation of YouthMappers, the heart of the students is what leads to the success of this global consortium – deciding how and where they put themselves on the map. With a network of more than 5,000 university student mappers organized in 411 campus chapters across 78 countries, you can find a chapter near you. From fellowships, fieldwork, and training opportunities, learn how you can get involved.

Quick Reads

Navigating through an academic program can be quite the journey, but there are many resources available to guide you. Here are some articles and resources that may be helpful:

Mentorship

Questions to reinvigorate a mentoring relationship, Royal Geographical Society (with IBG): Unlock new insight and advice, which can help reinvigorate the mentoring relationship on both sides.

Why science needs strong mentors, Nature [podcast]: Mentors describe how supporting junior colleagues alongside many other responsibilities is a true labor of love.

How my mentor inspired me to be a confident, curious scientist, Science: Hear from an undergraduate researcher’s mentorship experience.

After leaving two postdocs in two years, I found a lab that’s right for me, Science: Not all labs are created equal. Discover one scientist’s journey to find the right fit.

Research and Writing

Questions to foster open and engaging research communication, Times Higher Education: A framework on how to communicate with research colleagues and team in a more transparent and engaging way throughout the research cycle.

Stuck in your writing?, Inside HigherEd: Learn four steps for cultivating a network of readers for your work.

Academic Writing for Geographers, a handbook by James Tyner, outlines the key forms of academic writing that geographers, particularly graduate students and early-career faculty, will encounter and need to master. Instead of a prescriptive guide, it offers clarity on scholarly writing through practical examples, addressing the unique requirements, and hurdles inherent in geography.

Navigating Spaces and Networks

Making the most of conferences during early career phases, Inside HigherEd: It can be challenging to attend a conference as a newcomer exploring your next career, but these tips can help you to get the most out of it, as well as make the experience less intimidating and more enjoyable.

Building Your GIS Network: 5 Tips for International Students, Esri’s Young Professional’s Network [blog]: Learn 5 tips from an international student’s experiences of networking building to apply to your own.

A framework for grad student success based on six elements, Inside HigherEd: Understand a new strategic mindset to transform challenges into opportunities and navigate the complexities of any organization with ease.

A Guide to Proactively Seek Internships at Any Stage in Your Academic Career, Esri’s Young Professional’s Network [blog]: Regardless of where you are in your academic journey, learn about the benefits of working as an intern and the tips and tricks to take into consideration throughout your search.

Contact Us

Curious to learn more about what resources AAG offers? Have resources you’d like to recommend? Feel free to reach out to our staff for any inquiries.

  • Mark Revell, Manager, Career Programs and Disciplinary Research
  • Coline Dony, Senior Geography Researcher
  • Eddie McInerney, Policy, Advocacy, and Engagement Coordinator (for those interested in interning with the AAG)