----------------------------Original message---------------------------- I have been a witness to the frustration that new graduates with their B.A. or B.S. in Geography feel when it comes to trying to find a job related their field. Most of the people I have talked with are GIS and Cartography Interns (all of whom are undergraduate geography students) that volunteer their time to work for me so they can have something on their resume when they graduate. I promised them that I would post their frustrations on this list with the hope of getting some insight from other professionals as to what the job market is like for them. I am curious why so many corporations that make GIS software and provide GIS support do not hire people with Bachelor's degrees in Geography? Not only that, but I have yet to find a GIS or Enviromental Consulting firm that is willing to hire people with these qualifications (even the graduates who have 1 to 2 years of GIS internship experience are not getting hired). I have also found this to be true with local, state, and federal agencies involved with mapping sciences. Is it because it is felt that the curriculum of geography is not rigorous enough to qualify these people for jobs related to geography? Is it because the skills learned in geography are not as valuable as the skills learned in a computer science program, or environmental science program, or an urban planning program, or a Geology program? Why do the above mentioned organizations not like to hire people with only a Bachelor's in Geography plus 0 to 2 years experience? I have never had any difficulty working with these people (their mapping skills and computer skills are exceptional), actually these are the exact type of people I have hired in the past for work on GIS projects. I do understand that some, but very few, people do find employment related to geography so they can put their new found skills to good use. I have been involved in the mapping sciences/GIS field for almost 5 years and I have told them (my interns) all I know about finding a job in this field. I hope to get feedback from everyone about this issue. My undergraduate interns would be very greatful. Thank you. Sincerely, Timothy Hayes, B.A. Geography Chief Cartographer Medical GIS Consulting Services [log in to unmask]