Careers with Geography and Earth Science. Sian Loveless Geographical Association Future Geographers Conference 16 April 2014

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1 Careers with Geography and Earth Science Sian Loveless Geographical Association Future Geographers Conference 16 April 2014

Types of Geography degrees and careers Summary

2 Talk outline Aim : Illustrate the diversity of careers a geography (or earth sciences) education can unlock Types of Geography degrees and careers Summary Resources My background Case studies illustrating a range of careers

Geothermal Energy Thermal energy generated and stored in the earth Sustainable Carbon neutral Use

3 BSc Environmental Earth Science (Year in North America) A levels : Geography Chemistry Biology (Geology) PhD Earth Science Internship in Science Policy Geoscience Researcher VITO, Belgium Geothermal Energy Thermal energy generated and stored in the earth Sustainable Carbon neutral Use it anywhere! Promote the harnessing of this energy for heat and electricity through research and development.

4 Geography degrees Relationships between societies and the Earth. Human Geography Physical Geography Development Studies International Studies Earth Science...develop knowledge through fieldwork and other forms of handson learning. Geography Solid Earth, its waters and the atmosphere over geological timescales. Geology Geophysics Geoscience Meteorology and Oceanography The Earth, its waters and atmosphere and human processes. Also monitoring and management of environmental changes. Ecology Environmental Science

5 Employability Geography graduates have a long track record in gaining employment across a number of different professions and organisations. (Heacademy.co.uk) Data from HESA s Destinations of Leavers 16 SCIENCE from Higher Education survey 2011/12

Types of jobs Data from HESA s Destinations of Leavers 16 SCIENCE from Higher Education survey 2011/12 I know people doing the following > 3 years from graduation.

6 Types of jobs Data from HESA s Destinations of Leavers 16 SCIENCE from Higher Education survey 2011/12 I know people doing the following > 3 years from graduation. Volcanologist Sedimentologist Seismologist Aid worker Flood risk management Environmental monitor Recycling Officer Hydrogeologist Social scientist Teacher Forces Geologist GIS specialist Glaciologist Climate change Tourism consultant Oceanographer Energy consultant Waste advisor Park ranger Geochemist Environmental consultant Mud logger Geophysicist Meteorologist Ecologist Cycling round the world

7 Geography isn t an obviously vocational subject like law or medicine, which means it can be a little scary for geography students to decide what to do when they graduate. Education highly tailored to particular jobs/ vocational Geology /Geophysics Earth sciences / Meteorology / Environmental Sciences Broader education applicable to a range of jobs Geography / Development studies

8 Case studies Disclaimer Not truly representative (a biased sample of interesting jobs) Not a random selection (my friends)

9 Nicola : International aid policy advisor Other cultures Travel Intern with the UN, New York International Development Studies (with overseas experience) Manage international development projects... To play a small part in reducing poverty. Work experience at NGO CARE, Zambia Huge range of class options ( should have chosen statistics and studied a language! ) Policy Advisor on international aid Masters degree in Violence, Conflict and Development Chars Livelihood programme, Bangladesh UK Aid Policy Network, Westminster effectiveness. Lobbies (influences) the government on how they spend international aid money.

10 Becky : Volcanologist I'm a huge volcano dork I realise you could actually study volcanoes for a living Geology Volunteer at a Volcano Observatory PADI Divemaster Masters degree in volcanology PhD research in volcanology Volcanology Lecturer and Researcher

11 Zoe : Flood and coastal risk management I made some really good contacts through my postgraduate research Environmental Science with a year in Sweden learnt a little about a huge number of environmental topics Masters degree in 'Local Policy and Practice in Flood Risk Management' Flood Resilience Team, Environment Agency Communicates flood risk and planning to communities, local authorities and other professional organisations. Knowledge transfer partnership between Universities and policy makers

12 James : Ammunition technical Officer Geography Fairly common in the Army more "outdoors / active" degree that appeals to adventurous people Army Officer Logistics (Tours in Iraq and Afghanistan) Territorial Army, wellknown opticians and an adventure centre Ammunition Technical Officer (incl.. bomb disposal) Major Second career? Army uses systems for mapping and battle planning that have similar principles to GIS. Geographical Information Systems

13 Virginia : Hydrogeologist Natural Sciences (specialising in Geological Sciences) Water consultant, in Wales and India. Water infrastructure Environmental valuation of water resources. PhD Researcher in Water Resources Management transferable skills generalist rather than a specialist...useful for research management or science policy. you cannot easily experiment with earth system processes become more creative in trying to tackle problems at the same time as learning a range of skills. lots of jobs in environmental management

14 Jon : Environmental monitoring assistant Environmental Sciences with a year in Canada Temporary contracts, mix of geography and not (supermarket). 3 month research expedition in Greenland 6 months unemployed Further study...research in planning/ Aquatic Ecology... Environmental Monitoring Assistant, Environment Agency. Collecting water and ecological samples, habitat surveys, analysing invertebrate samples. Emergency response Flooding Fish rescues

15 Famous geographers Prince William Michael Jordan Mother Theresa Charles Darwin Theresa May Matthew Pinsent General Pinochet

16 Summary Wide range of Geography degrees, look around to see which suits you best Geography specific skills are well respected and transferable to a wide range of jobs There is no set career path though some degrees are more vocational than others You can make your career whatever you want!

Geoscientists follow paths of exploration and discovery in quest of solutions to some of society's most challenging problems.

Page 1 of 5 Geoscientists follow paths of exploration and discovery in quest of solutions to some of society's most challenging problems. Predicting the behavior of Earth systems and the universe. Finding