What Can I do with my Geography degree?

Transcription

1 What Can I do with my Geography degree? Andrew Falconer Careers Adviser, Horton Building Today s Session Look at your options Further study & graduate schemes Vocational routes Look at how to plan your career Look at how you can sell your degree to employers 1

2 But. I can t tell you what to do with the rest of your life The Quiz Public sector cuts = less jobs for social and life scientists I should know what kind of career I want right now Not using my degree in a job would be a waste of time There s no point in doing a Masters because there are no jobs Graduate training schemes are the only way to start a career 2

3 What is a graduate scheme?royal Holloway Careers Service is part of The Careers Group, University of London Applicable to finalists and PG students Usually need 2.1, although a 2.2 in some organisations is possible Very competitive, companies often recruit from summer internships Structured with exposure to different teams within an organisation Remember - Process begins in the autumn term Are typical in: commercial finance (inc. banking, accountancy & tax) law, management consultancy, marketing graduate management schemes other public sector: Civil Service Fast Stream, local Government The Job Journey. Decide career Graduate 1 st job promotion,promotion,promotion Retire 3

4 More likely. Graduate 1 st job New area of work New area of work Springboard! How to plan your career?royal Holloway Careers Service is part of The Careers Group, University of London 4

5 Jobs ideas for Geography graduates Related directly to your degree Your degree would be useful? Cartographer Environmental Consultant Geographical Information Systems Planning and Development Surveyor Town planner Teacher / Lecturer Policy research Logistics and Distribution Management International aid development worker Local Government administrator Estate Agent Television Producer Market Researcher Transport planner Key Sector Sub-sector The Policy Sector Sample Organisations Government Quangos NGOs/Charities Public Affairs Consultancies National Monarchy FCO/Dfid Welsh/NI/Scotland MPs / Lords Political Parties Parliament inc Libraries, POST etc Regional LDA, GLA Local Brighton Council International EU/UN/NATO MEPs Executive Environment Agency Natural England Advisory ACOS / ACP Watchdogs OFWAT / OFGEM Qualgos London Waste Regulation Authority International WWF, Oxfam, WaterAid UK/Local Thames 21, LWT, London Cycling Campaign Woodland Trust Pressure Groups /Others Professional/Trade Bodies General Bell Pottinger Niche NFU The Environmental Industries Commission CBI European Insurance and Reinsurance Federation Universities UK London First Trade Unions TUC / Unite / etc Africa Practice Academia Universities Research & Teaching-led Private Companies Pfizer Think-Tanks Centre for Cities Foreign Policy Centre ICOS Learned Societies RSA Royal Society 5

6 Graduate Destinations (2010) Average salary: 20,000 Reality: Typical Destinations Accounts Clerks, Advertising and Marketing Executives, Charity Officers, Community Workers, Conference, Exhibition and Events Co-ordinators and Consultants, Customer Care Occupations, Directors, Producers, Examiners/Auditors, Farmers, General Office Assistants/Clerks, Geologists, Mineralogists etc, Housing and Welfare Officers, IT Operations Technicians (Network Support), Market Research Analysts, Medical Laboratory Technicians, Navy Officers, Physicists, Geologists and Meteorologists, Researchers, Retail and Wholesale Managers, Sales and Retail Assistants, Sales Controllers, Administrators and Co-ordinators, Sales Representatives and Agents, Science and Engineering Technicians, Secondary Teachers, Teaching Professionals, TV and Film Camera Operators, University and Higher Education Lecturers, Waiters, Waitresses, Youth and Community Workers 6

7 What do I want to do in life? Context If we recruited on the basis of degree level, we'd just use a computer but we're looking for examples of leadership, teamwork and commercial awareness which are usually found in extra curricular activities and work experience. In short your degree alone won't get you a job. You need work experience too." Graduate Recruiter,

8 The problem with a geography degree. Geography students? I love their enthusiasm but, well, what can they actually do? I spend more time telling my intern what to do, I m quicker doing it myself What skills do you have to offer? Skills from Geography degrees: Skills sought by employers: Research: familiarity with various methods Interpretation: the capability to accumulate, select and interpret a wide range of material Organisation: of information in a logical and coherent manner, managing large and diverse quantities of information Presenting: facts, ideas and arguments Communications skills: Both written and verbal Writing: clearly and concisely and to tight deadlines; critical and analytical ability Initiative: an ability to work alone and on own initiative Teamwork Written & verbal Communication Adaptability & flexibility Time Management Motivation and enthusiasm Initiative and proactive Commercial Awareness * more employers look at employability skills than degree subject or degree class when selecting graduate employees. 8

9 Your Values Rate in order of preference 1 high;5 low a) I want to be earning at least 25K in three years b) I want to be managing other people within two years c) I want a professional qualification to fall back on d) I want to use my brain in my work e) I want the end result of my work to be more than just profit What factors are important when choosing a job? Where do graduates find jobs? Company Websites 11% Newspapers / Magazines Recruitment Agency 10% 16% Speculative Applications Personal Network 5% 25% 9

10 Careers resources THE virtual careers information resource Over 8000 books and online resources Browse, create and store your own searches Rate items and add your own tags and comments Share interesting links with your friends How we can help you Career direction Workshops and employer presentations Information resources and support CV and application form checking Skills development Alumni contact database Access to central London careers events Mock assessment centres Postgraduate study applications and advice Facebook and other online resources 10

11 GETTING INTO INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Army Interviews Interviews take place each term.. Appointments must be made in advance at the careers centre 11