Geography graduates:
the future’s bright?
Introduction
Careers/Employment
Evaluation of course
Summary
Research
Millennium Survey
99 questionnaires sent out to 2000 and 2001 graduates
48 Questionnaires returned = return rate of 48%
Targeted Survey to find out what our Graduates are doing now.
GEES Graduate Employability Survey
Study looked at graduates from Gloucester, Leeds and Plymouth
1575 Surveys sent out to Geography, Earth and Environmental Science Students
Response rate of 32%
Of the 514 respondents 220 were Geography Graduates
6 Months after Graduating
University of Plymouth Geography Graduates
These records typically show that 74% of
Plymouth Geographers have found jobs, 16% are
engaged in further study; and 10% have gone
travelling
First Job (information obtained 6 Months after
graduating)
finance & management
other
human resources
industry
planning & surveying
government & environment
retail services
IT & GIS
What do Geographers do?
First job results
Inward Investment Officer
Registration Officer
Admin Assistant
Teacher of Geography
Information Officer for a Charity
Credit Analysis
Working for LloydsTsb
Planning Consultant
Graduate Manager for Royal Mail
Graduate Surveyor
Bus Driver
Types of companies Geography Graduates have
worked for – Current Job
Environment Agency
Litchfield District Council
Isle of Wight Council
Hampshire County Council
Birmingham County Council
Gosport Borough Council
Lloyds TSB
Ford
The AA
Police
National Statistics Office
Home Office
Climate Change Consultancy
Accountancy Firms
Teaching (All Levels)
Parcelforce
UK Hydrographic Office
Capita Insurance Services
Regen South West
Enterprise rent-a-car
Current Job
Planning and
Policy
Manager,
Regen SW,
£30+
Major Accounts
District Manager,
ADP,
£30+
Planning
Office,
Environmental
Department of
Hampshire
District
Council, £2529,999
Transport
Planner,
Birmingham
City Council.
£20-24,999
Studying a PhD
in Palaeoecology
Transport
Consultant,
Halcrow
Group Ltd,
£20 -24,999
Mapping and
Charting
Office, UKHO,
£20 – 24,999
Some Examples….
First Job
Graduate
Manager –
Royal Mail
Scheme
Current Parcelforce
Operations
Job
Manager
Bus Driver
Hydrological
Technician
Planning
Assistant
Enterprise
Rent a Car
Corporate
Account
Manager
Environment
Agency
Senior
Environment
Officer
Principle
Planning
Officer –
Litchfield
District
Council
Call Centre
Secondary
School
Teacher
How many jobs have you had since graduating?
Number of
Jobs
Number of
Respondents
Percentage
1
7
16%
2
26
60%
3
6
14%
4
2
5%
5
2
5%
24% of respondents have stayed in the same company and progressed.
Salaries
Number of Respondents
First Job Salaries
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
0 - 9,999
10 14,999
15 –
19,999
20 –
24,999
Salary (£)
25 –
29,999
30+
Salaries
Number of Respondents
Current Job Salaries
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
0 - 9,999
10 14,999
15 –
19,999
20 –
24,999
Salary (£)
25 –
29,999
30+
It has substantially improved my job
prospects?
Disagree
Strongly
Disagree
Neither Agree
or Disagree
Strongly Agree
Agree
GEES Survey 2004
It has qualified me for a range of careers?
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neither Agree or
Disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
GEES Survey 2004
Millennium Survey
The Degree Provided me a Platform to Develop a
Career?
Yes
No
Five years after completing their course, we asked a sample of Plymouth
Geography graduates if they felt their degree had provided a good platform
on which to build a career – 93% said yes, it did
How qualified do you feel for your current employment?
6% Under qualified
73% Qualified
21% Over qualified
Think back to the final year of your degree. Please
indicate if you had a clear idea, a vague idea or no idea
of the kind of career/ job you wanted?
26% Had a clear idea
48% Had a vague idea
26% Had no idea
GEES Survey 2004
Skills, Skills, Skills
‘generic’ skills that employers seek
Teamwork
Leadership
Communication Skills
Problem-Solving
Computing
Flexibility
Numeracy
Creativity
Commitment
additional special skills of Geographers
68 % of employers look for good graduates in any
degree subject
Fieldwork,
Laboratory techniques,
Graphic production,
Social surveys,
Information analysis
GIS remote sensing
About Right – GEES Survey
Woking Independently
Fieldwork Skills
Problem Solving
Self/time Management
Working Under Pressure
Working with Maps and Diagrams
Written communication
Presentation Skills
Self Confidence
Research Skills
“Geography as a degree couldn't help you prepare more for
employment. So wide ranging and varied – must be the only
degree that covers all of the skills seen as attractive by
employers – analytical skills, research, report writing,
presentation, teamwork and working on own”
Too Little – GEES Survey
Leadership – 34%
Professional Work Experience = 89%
Business Awareness = 73%
Career Planning = 46%
Entrepreneurship = 69%
“I think business internships should play a more central role
in any degree program. Stronger business links would
mutually benefit the university, local industry and students
alike”
The Curriculum Should Include Skills
Useful for Employment?
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neither Agree or
Disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
GEES Survey 2004
Graduates need more vocational training?
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neither Agree or
Disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
GEES Survey 2004
Career Guidance Should be part of the
Curriculum?
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neither Agree or
Disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
GEES Survey 2004
How has studying Geography helped you in
employment?
“I enjoyed the modules I studied and use my knowledge and skills frequently in
day to day life” (Jenny Cox)
“Geography gave me a very broad understanding of multi-disciplinary subjects,
allowing me to work in just about any field/sector. The best decision I've ever
made!!” (Steve Blamire)
“I enjoyed learning new aspects of Geography. Studying different aspects
enabled me to precede what area I wanted to focus on for my career - before
going to uni I didn’t have an idea what area I wanted to work - the course
helped me to decide.” (William Martin)
Millennium Survey 2006
Also needs to be student proactive
Wrote/Updated my CV = 91%
Visited my Institutions Career Centre = 72%
Did some research on specific careers that I was interested in = 66%
Visited a careers fair = 65%
Sought advice on how to write a CV = 62%
Browsed newspapers, websites and magazines = 56%
Found out what skills/attributes employers wanted = 51%
Had my CV checked by a tutor/advisor = 46%
Had an interview with a careers advisor = 44%
Kept a record of my personal development and achievements = 43%
Gained work experience = 34%
Asked a tutor for advice = 24%
GEES Survey 2004
Graduate Profiles
Michelle Clift-Matthews, Graduated 2000
Michelle is now a Senior Research Officer within the
Office for National Statistics where she is engaged on
research projects to improve migration and population
statistics. Michelle provided the following reflections on
her three years in Plymouth:
‘I often wish I was back there . . . the course was
excellent and I really enjoyed it. The field trips were really
good and provided real insights, particularly the trip to
South Africa. Modules were wide-ranging, interesting and
varied, and ticked many of the employer skills
requirements in terms of competences’.
Kevin Kay, Graduated 2000
Kevin is now a Senior Transport Planner, involved in the task of
highway modelling within the west London-based team, where he is
attached to a Development Control Department. Part of his role
involves working for major residential and commercial developers in the
delivery of a ‘transport case’ for various development proposals. This
work has recently included Sherford new town (5500 dwellings) on the
outskirts of Plymouth. He writes …
‘My degree has provided the broad basis necessary to enable me to
think outside of the box. The research skills and the diligence that it
taught me has been the most important asset which I am now able to
apply in my job. I say - thanks to all the lecturers for taking the time to
develop the best in all of us’.
Looking back on their degree would they choose to
study Geography again?
10%
Yes
No
90%
Millennium Survey 2006
Why would you study the same course again?
“Good range of modules to choose from, can specialise in particular area
of geography. The degree covers a good and vast range of subjects” (Laura
Fisher 2001)
“It was a fantastic course and has given me a good standing for the
development of my career” (Lisa Kirby 2001)
“I enjoyed the modules I studied and use my knowledge and skills
frequently in day to day life” (Jenny Cox 2000)
“Geography gave me a very broad understanding of multi-disciplinary
subjects, allowing me to work in just about any field/sector. The best
decision I've ever made!!” (Steve Blamire 2001)
Millennium Survey 2006
Yomping
Yomping the Nations 2007 Business competition
Grand Final won by Plymouth Geographers
“One of the main reasons for the success stems
from the fact that as Geographers the team are
adaptable, flexible and resourceful. The broad range
of skills developed throughout the degree
programme, utilised effectively in the earlier stages
of this competition, have produced a well rounded
team. Although the team are determined and have a
competitive edge they are very down to earth and
likeable with an enthusiastic attitude. Whilst being
self-assured and resourceful the team are aware of
their knowledge limitations and are willing to accept
advice from the experts.”
Summary
Our surveys have shown that Geography Graduates go into a diverse
range of careers and are highly employable
Skills developed through the degree are very relevant to employers
Still needs to be further development in Work Experience, Business
Skills and Career Planning
Students also need to be proactive
90% of graduates would choose to study the same course again
Need for more promotion
Geography graduates: the future’s bright?
Questions?