Geography Department: When did you graduate from MU and what degree did you acquire?

Jacobson: I graduated in 2013 with an MA in Geography.

Geography Department: What are your fondest memories of being a part of geography?

Jacobson: The memories that have stuck with me are all of the experiences I shared with others in the department. From discussing philosophical theories explored in the course Geographic Thought, with my cohort at the ’Berg (Heidelberg, a college hang-out); to burning off thesis research and writing steam with nightly games of racquetball; to talking with World Regional Geography students during office hours. 

The people of Mizzou geography are what made my experience memorable. Oh, and the Grotto (a resort-style pool at Mizzou Rec Center) was fun; hopefully that still exists.

I will say that I definitely blacked out defending my thesis. To this day, I am not sure if it ever really happened. 

Geography Department: What were some of the most important concepts you learned while taking geography classes?

Jacobson: One of the most important concepts I took away from my courses is an appreciation for all the different ways to approach and experience the world. 

Learning about these approaches gave way to trying to experience and think about the world around me in different ways. Navigating through the world using Google Maps is a vastly different experience from wandering aimlessly through the streets of CoMo. Our mostly material relationships in the world often deaden our senses to all the wonderful and spontaneous interactions with people, place and nature that occur on an everyday basis. 

For me, learning different geographic modes of thinking is akin to an awakening. I try to experience the world a little bit differently every day.

Geography Department:  Would you recommend the MU Department of Geography to other students? Why or why not?

Jacobson: Absolutely. The professors are the most dedicated and passionate about the subject of any geography department. The subject of geography is both imaginative and practical. I like to think of geography as the science for an artist's mind. Mizzou geography fosters that kind of environment; one that blends creativity with critical thought.

Geography Department: What have you done since your graduation? How did your education help with your successes?

Jacobson: One of the most valuable aspects of a geography degree is its versatility. I have worked as an oil spill-response contractor for the EPA, as an environmental consultant specializing in watershed planning and now currently serve as a county planning director in western Minnesota. I have also been active in the Audubon Society, recently serving as president of the St. Paul, Minnesota, chapter. 

Having a geography background afforded me the opportunity to market my skills and knowledge in unique ways because the field of geography is so broad and relevant to real world, everyday problems and issues. With a geography background comes the understanding that though I will never have all the answers to the issues and challenges of our world, I do have the tools to address them. 

Geography Department: What advice do you have for other students who may be considering a geography degree or who are already in our program?

Jacobson: I found geography as an undergraduate at the University of Minnesota. While deciding on a major, I suffered from paralysis by analysis. There were simply too many choices. I randomly took an introductory geography class and never looked back. Due to the all-encompassing nature of the field, I never was bored or felt that I was missing out on other interesting fields of study. 

Geography is a great program for students who have diverse interests. My advice to students who are unsure of a major is to take a geography class. For those already majoring in geography, don't be intimidated by the breadth of the subject matter. Find something within the field that interests you. Perhaps it's making maps or studying population dynamics. It might be studying climate patterns or high-altitude tree lines. Perhaps it’s the study of how humans interact with the environment that is most intriguing to you. Whatever it may be, I guarantee that geography has it. 

Geography Department: Anything else?

Jacobson: Your time at university is rare and precious; it should be treated as such. Have a lot of fun, but seize the opportunity to delve into all the ideas, theories, and concepts presented to you. There will never be another time in your life when you'll be able to read 100 pages of continental philosophy then go party with your friends, all on a Tuesday night.