Geography graduates: Geography graduates: the future’s bright? the future’s bright?

IntroductionIntroduction

Careers/Employment

Evaluation of course

Summary

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

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.

ResearchResearch

6 Months after Graduating 6 Months after Graduating University of Plymouth Geography GraduatesUniversity 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

human resources

other

industry

planning & surveying

government & environment

IT & GIS

retail services

finance & management

First Job (information obtained 6 Months after First Job (information obtained 6 Months after graduating)graduating)

What do Geographers do? What do Geographers do? First job resultsFirst job results

Admin Assistant

Working for LloydsTsb

Teacher of Geography

Planning Consultant

Credit AnalysisInformation Officer for a Charity

Graduate Surveyor

Graduate Manager for Royal Mail

Bus Driver

Registration Officer Inward Investment Officer

Types of companies Geography Graduates have Types of companies Geography Graduates have worked for – Current Jobworked for – Current Job

Ford

Home Office

Litchfield District CouncilIsle of Wight CouncilHampshire County CouncilBirmingham County CouncilGosport Borough Council

Enterprise rent-a-car

National Statistics Office

Teaching (All Levels)Parcelforce

Capita Insurance Services

Environment Agency

The AA

UK Hydrographic Office

Police

Accountancy Firms

Regen South West

Lloyds TSB

Climate Change Consultancy

Current JobCurrent Job

Transport Planner, Birmingham City Council.£20-24,999

Mapping and Charting Office, UKHO, £20 – 24,999

Studying a PhD in Palaeoecology

Major Accounts District Manager, ADP, £30+

Planning and Policy Manager, Regen SW, £30+

Planning Office, Environmental Department of Hampshire District Council, £25- 29,999

Transport Consultant, Halcrow Group Ltd, £20 -24,999

Some Examples….Some Examples….

Current Job

First JobGraduate Manager – Royal Mail Scheme

Bus Driver Hydrological Technician

Planning Assistant

Call Centre

Parcelforce Operations Manager

Enterprise Rent a Car Corporate Account Manager

Environment Agency Senior Environment Officer

Principle Planning Officer – Litchfield District Council

Secondary School Teacher

How many jobs have you had since graduating?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.

SalariesSalaries

First Job Salaries

02468

10121416

0 - 9,999 10 -14,999

15 –19,999

20 –24,999

25 –29,999

30+

Salary (£)

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f R

esp

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SalariesSalaries

Current Job Salaries

0

24

6

8

1012

14

0 - 9,999 10 -14,999

15 –19,999

20 –24,999

25 –29,999

30+

Salary (£)

Nu

mb

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f R

esp

on

den

ts

It has substantially improved my job It has substantially improved my job prospects?prospects?

Strongly Agree

Agree

Strongly DisagreeDisagree

Neither Agree or Disagree

GEES Survey 2004

It has qualified me for a range of careers?It has qualified me for a range of careers?

Strongly Agree

Agree

Neither Agree orDisagree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

GEES Survey 2004

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

Millennium SurveyMillennium Survey

How qualified do you feel for your current employment?How qualified do you feel for your current employment?

6% Under qualified73% Qualified

21% Over qualified

Think back to the final year of your degree. Please Think back to the final year of your degree. Please indicate if you had a clear idea, a vague idea or no idea indicate if you had a clear idea, a vague idea or no idea

of the kind of career/ job you wanted?of the kind of career/ job you wanted?

26% Had a clear idea48% Had a vague idea

26% Had no idea

GEES Survey 2004

‘generic’ skills that employers seekTeamworkLeadershipCommunication SkillsProblem-SolvingComputingFlexibilityNumeracyCreativityCommitment

additional special skills of Geographers

Fieldwork, Laboratory techniques, Graphic production, Social surveys, Information analysis GIS remote sensing

68 % of employers look for good graduates in any degree subject

Skills, Skills, SkillsSkills, Skills, Skills

About Right – GEES SurveyAbout Right – GEES Survey

Woking Independently

Fieldwork Skills

Problem Solving Self Confidence

Self/time Management Research Skills

Working Under Pressure

Working with Maps and Diagrams

Written communication

Presentation 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 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 The Curriculum Should Include Skills Useful for Employment?Useful for Employment?

Strongly Agree

Agree

Neither Agree orDisagree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

GEES Survey 2004

Graduates need more vocational training?Graduates need more vocational training?

Strongly Agree

Agree

Neither Agree orDisagree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

GEES Survey 2004

Career Guidance Should be part of the Career Guidance Should be part of the Curriculum?Curriculum?

Strongly Agree

Agree

Neither Agree orDisagree

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 proactiveAlso 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

Michelle Clift-Matthews, Graduated 2000Michelle 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’.

Graduate Profiles

Kevin Kay, Graduated 2000Kevin 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 Looking back on their degree would they choose to study Geography again?study Geography again?

90%

10%

Yes

No

Millennium Survey 2006

Why would you study the same course again?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)

“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)

“It was a fantastic course and has given me a good standing for the development of my career” (Lisa Kirby 2001)

Millennium Survey 2006

YompingYomping

Yomping the Nations 2007 Business competition

“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.”

Grand Final won by Plymouth Geographers

SummarySummary

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

90% of graduates would choose to study the same course again

Need for more promotion

Still needs to be further development in Work Experience, Business Skills and Career Planning

Students also need to be proactive

Geography graduates: the future’s bright? Geography graduates: the future’s bright?

Questions?Questions?