| National Geographic Society | 1145 17th St. NW, Washington, DC 20036-4688 |
| www.nationalgeographic.com | (202) 857-7000 Fax: (202) 775-6141 |
 |
|
Capturing the world
Imagine a film about a chimpanzee extracting termites from their nest, or photographs of exotic birds in a Brazilian rainforest, or even a map of the trails at the base of Mt. Everest. National Geographic's images have become classics for armchair explorers, amateur anthropologists, and anyone curious about unknown and little-traveled parts of the world. The foundation, which is based in DC, is the world's largest non-profit educational society. Its most remarkable and renowned achievement is no doubt National Geographic magazine, which has a circulation of nine million. The organization also produces excellent work in the television and education sectors.
A tale of 33 men
In January 1888, 33 men gathered around a mahogany table to confabulate "the advisability of organizing a society for the increase and diffusion of geographical knowledge." From this ambitious meeting sprang The National Geographic Society, which is now the largest not-for-profit educational and scientific institution in the world. In the 19th century, a diverse array of men comprised the society, namely geographers, explorers, teachers, attorneys, cartographers, military officers, philanthropists, bankers, and natural-born-adventurers.
"That large number"
The society's first president, Gardiner Greene Hubbard, acknowledged his own inexpertness in geography and science. "By my election," Hubbard declared, "you [the society members] notify the public that the membership of our Society will not be confined to professional geographers, but will include that large number who, like myself, desire to promote special researches by others, and to diffuse the knowledge so gained, among men, so that we may all know more of the world upon which we live."
Never judge a book by its mud-brown cover
Almost a year after the society's founding, the first National Geographic magazine was printed. With a mud-brown cover and studious, dry language, the initial magazine in no way foreshadowed the vibrant periodical it would someday become. The first magazine's introduction, however, offered some clue as to the society's mission: "[the magazine] may become a channel of intercommunication, stimulate geographic investigation and prove an acceptable medium for the publication of results." Today, NG magazine has foreign editions in Chinese, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, French, German, and Polish. The Chinese and Portuguese editions were added in 2000.
Mission: global
Early in the society's history, large portions of the world had yet to be explored. Moreover, the general populace had little access to new information on nature, geography, geology, weather, and astronomy. Today, NGS is still concerned with education and altruism. In fact, it lists among its missions the need to address "the alarming lack of geographic knowledge among our nation's young people and the pressing need to protect the planet's natural resources." As the society's goals evolve, so too does its scope and capabilities. One of National Geographic's best resources is arguably its Web site, www.nationalgeographic.com. In addition to clips from its four star magazine, National Geographic, the site also sports information on television, the National Geographic Channel, World Magazine for Kids, Traveler Magazine, books, CD-ROMS, photography, geography education, maps, the "Explorers Hall," lectures and performances, and the society's Committee for Research and Exploration, among others.
Keepin' busy
The year 2000 has brought many great things to NGS. It announced the launch of seven exploration projects, one headed by historian Steven Ambrose, and another by the well known Jane Goodall. The projects will take place over several years, and range from fossil hunting in the Sahara to searching for antique shipwrecks in the Black Sea. NGS partnered separately with Getty Images and the Smithsonian Institution in May, agreeing to provide NG photographs for sale over the Internet with the first, and supplying a temporary exhibit and publication with the second. In July, Quad/Graphics, which produces National Geographic, signed a new agreement with the geography guru, consenting to assemble a record 9 million copies of the magazine, after stating it plans to invest $600 million over the next two years to augment its production facilities. In the same month, National Geographic Society acquired Wildflower Productions, a leader in map technology. NGS is now able to provide personalized maps for outdoors fans, currently available at kiosks in San Francisco and Denver. Internet versions will be available before the start of 2001. NGS is also bringing its cable television channel, currently overseas in 63 countries, to the U.S. in fall 2001.
|
|
Employment information at National Geographic's corporate HQ can be accessed at the society's employment hotline or (202) 857-7442. Applicants should mail resumes and cover letters detailing their interests to National Geographic Society; 1145 17th Street, NW; Washington, DC 20036-4688; ATTN: Director of Employment. Employment materials can also be faxed to the society at (202) 857-7741.
The National Geographic Society offers "competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits" that include health, dental, life, retirement, and "generous leave accrual." Although the society cannot guarantee that all applicants will receive interviews, resumes are kept on file for three months should relevant positions become available. Unfortunately, insiders warn that jobs at the society, regardless of division, are difficult to come by. Applicants are instructed to be patient and "to keep trying!"
For more information on general employment opportunities at the society, contact the NGS's employee resource center at (202) 857-5846. The center is staffed Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 5.
|
|
Sacred cows
National Geographic employees are spirited and enthusiastic about their workplace. Considering its tradition of excellence and genteel eccentricity, this is hardly surprising. "Up until very recent years, National Geographic ran as a company, but never like a corporation found in the U.S.," says one worker, continuing, "It had privileged ranks, its own rules, and workings which made no rhyme or reason. It contained more characters than a Dickens novel." Cites another insider, "As late as the 1960s, there were dress codes for men and women, and separate dining facilities. The company was full of dinosaurs, sacred cows, and politicians."
The last of the free spenders
A different source adds, "NGS is now a much leaner, meaner place with an eye on the bottom line. The good old days of free spending are gone, but I still get paid to travel the world and do what I love." Another continues, "To have lunch in our cafeteria and have Jane Goodall sit down with you is kind of exciting." Employees agree that the society has a "college campus feel" with a "global outlook," and emphasize that "particularly in the areas of Marketing and Finance the society is changing rapidly." This is because for many years the society concentrated on very few products - National Geographic Magazine, World and Traveler Magazines, and National Geographic Television and Books. "Now we are operating much more like a business," says an insider, "exploring many more product and publication areas."
Watch out for stray rocks
All of these changes make seasoned NGS insiders "somewhat nervous." The bottom line for the society, however, remains the same. One worker relates how she "just spent a month in Hebron," and got "shot at twice and had stitches in [her] arm from a stray rock." Her commentary on her employer? NGS "seems to appreciate outgoing, strong-minded, and organized people."
|
|
Human Resources
(202) 857-7442
|
|
Broderbund;DeLorme;Dorling Kindersley;Lagardere;Rand McNally
More Company Profiles
For more career information, go to Vault.com
©2000, Vault.com Inc
Click here to email this page to a friend  |
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
||||||