Poverty, environmental degradation, infringement of human rights, conflicts, and terrorism-although we have entered the 21st century, we are facing diverse issues both on global and regional levels. There are a multitude of opportunities for those trained in geography to help solve some of these pressing issues.

The topics of climate change, energy (including nuclear energy), Africa, food security, and intellectual property are just some of the important subjects that are discussed at the G8 summit held every summer in different parts of the world. The G8 Summit is an opportunity for leaders in eight different countries-Italy, Canada, France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, Germany, and Japan-to discuss a variety of issues that have incredible global impact. You will continue the theme of a day in the life of a geographer to address one of these important issues in relation to the area of the world being studied.

Geographers use the population statistics, in addition to other relevant information, to make decisions and attempt to solve problems within their own community. In this unit, you learned about the career possibilities for someone with an education in geography. This assignment will require you achieve two objectives:

Examine a possible career in one of the geographic fields.

Step into the shoes of someone in that career, and solve a problem similar to what one would encounter in that position.

Part A:

The Association of American Geographers has generated a list of possible careers in the various geographic fields. (Although there are numerous careers listed on their website remember that this is only a sampling!) Visit the Association of American Geographers website and select the career that interests you most.

Write a brief summary, approximately 3 to 5 paragraphs describing the job responsibilities of someone in this career, the required education, and potential earnings in your region. Also, explain why you feel this geographic field most suits you. What skills do you possess that make this career a match for you?

Bureau of Labor Statistic Occupational Outlook Handbook provided by the U.S. Department of Labor can provide you with further information.

Part B:

Pretend that you have completed the educational requirements for the selected career from Part A, and have obtained a position. In approximately 4 to 5 paragraphs, respond to the following prompt:

Currently, there are more than 305,000,000 people in the United States, and the nation's population continues to increase with one birth every seven seconds. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, just a decade ago there were more than 280,000,000 living in the United States! For this reason, cities continue to expand; new communities are popping up all over.

Imagine that a new community is being developed on the outskirts of your neighborhood. As a professional working in your chosen geographic field, what are your responsibilities? What problems will you face? Consider what happens as plans are developed for the new community, as construction begins, and as people relocate to the new area. What issues will you face as the geographer and how can you resolve them? Think about transportation issues, building codes, tourism, shopping, employment, and other needs and desires of citizens in your community.