Changing Horizons in Geography Education - HERODOT Network ...

in regional development did notinclude people with qualificationsin geography among theirlist of potential applicants. Insuch an institutional context itis easy to understand why thenumber of professional geographersin the region has remainedlow, although on an upward trend(Figure 2).Professional geographers inCastile and Leon generally workin the area of rural development,as employees of local authoritiesor of foundations, or in consultancycompanies, collaboratingin urban planning, geographicFigure 2. Guild membership in Castile and Leon.Source: www.geografos.orginformation systems, evaluations of environmental impact and socio-economicanalyses. It is likely that when the Regional Branch is set up the number of Guildmembers will grow, as will social recognition of geographers’ work.With the intention of checking what degree of knowledge consultancy companieshad of geographers’ skills, a survey was carried out involving ten such firms. In all ofthem the necessity of undertaking socio-spatial projects in multidisciplinary teamswas recognized. In seven cases geographers were included among the people that itwas stated should form part of such teams. Among the functions that were assignedas suitable for geographers it is possible to highlight: study of the environment,cataloguing of elements of interest, socio-economic analyses, field work, broad overviewsand the defining of territorial development strategies. Respondents were askedhow they rated the following factors when recruiting new staff for their company:initial training, later specialization and professional experience. The last of the threewas indicated as the most important in seven cases and came in second place in afurther two surveys. Specialized postgraduate studies took first place in two surveys,second in five, and third in two. Finally, initial training, in the sense of a primarydegree in Geography, was put first (as sole factor) in one survey response, was ratedsecond in two and occupied last place in seven responses. Among the subjects of aprofessional-vocational type currently in the syllabuses of universities in Castile andLeon, the companies consulted mentioned as being most appropriate to their needsGIS, Regional Policies, Urban Planning, Environmental Impact Studies and LocalDevelopment, although all 15 of the subjects that were included in the questionnairereceived some support. On this point, even consultants that had never hired ageographer also indicated numerous subjects as relevant to work in their companies.A final question was included about the possibility of taking on Geography studentsfor work experience within the companies consulted during the next academic year.221