u/Lower_Ad_3439

I’m in school and have been planning on majoring in the GIS track of the Geography program. I’m starting to second guess this because I’m not the most tech oriented person and I’m worried about AI making all of the entry level GIS jobs obsolete by the time I graduate. I’m still interested in being a geography major but I’m wondering what my prospects would be if I chose another focus in the major.

I'm a student currently taking my prereqs at a local cc. I've been planning on transferring to a local university to get a degree in geography with a focus in GIS. Urban planning is what I'd like to do most out after graduating but more than anything I just want my degree to get me a decent job.

The first of my two local options is a Geography/GIS degree from one of the top public universities in the country. I feel like this degree might not be the best route for planning but gives me opportunities in other fields I'd like to work in. I also just really love geography and maps, so I think I'll enjoy my education. The main con of this route is that I'm not super tech savvy, though not tech illiterate, and if I'm being totally honest, I'm still not 100% sure what GIS analysts do exactly.

The second option is a PAB accredited Urban Planning degree from a decent but less prestigious school. This is more relevant to my preferred job but I'm worried about the scope of the degree and my options after I graduate. I've read that most planning jobs require a master's and I don't want to go to grad school. This school does offer a GIS certificate that I can take while in undergrad but that might take an extra semester to complete.

I'm wondering what your thoughts are on these two options. Is it possible to get a job with just a B.A? Will the PAB accreditation help get around the need for a master's? Those of you with planning degrees, what other career options are there?