Exploring Student Perspectives on the Employability Aspects of Geography at SHU Andrew Jobling (Geography, D & S) 14 May 2009

Geography and employability The 'geographical advantage' –geographers are potentially suited to very diverse range of careers –possess a wide range of subject-specific & transferable skills I don't know what a high achieving job for a geographer is, you know, someone might study law and then go on to be a successful lawyer, but what would be an example of what a successful geography student does?

What do geographers do... The Royal Geographical Society identifies 8 broad career fields of interest to geographers: 1. Environment & Sustainability 2. Physical Systems 3. Society 4. The Business World 5. Geographical Techniques 6. Development & Global Issues 7. Settlement 8. Travel, Tourism, Leisure and Culture

Environment & Sustainability Environmental campaign organiser Civil servant for DEFRA Conservation worker Environmental health officer Architect or urban planner for sustainable projects Environmental engineer Landscape architecture Pollution analyst Cycle route planner Recycling officer Forestry manager Environmental consultant Environmental impact officer Society Teacher Social worker Youth and community worker Emergency services manager FE or university lecturer Exhibition designer and curator Health education campaigner Advertising executive Human resources officer Campaign organiser Market research analyst Public policy research Marketing PR (Public Relations) Officer Business Financial risk assessor Banker Accountant Insurance Transport / logistics manager Retail management Management consultant Commercial sales Lawyer Economic adviser and analyst Buyer Location analyst

Geographical Techniques GIS specialist Census data specialist Location analyst Cartographer Surveyor Military GIS specialist Remote sensing analyst Geomatics software designer CAD technician Aerial Surveyor Settlement Planner Housing manager Surveyor Urban regeneration officer Local government services Estate agent Town planner Transport officer Environmental engineer Construction or property lawyer Environmental consultant Conservation officer Physical systems Coastal engineer Soil conservationist Hydrologist Earth scientist Weather forecaster Hazard prediction and management Flood protection manager Pollution analyst Risk assessor Weather presenter Water supply coordinator

Development & global issues Aid worker Charity fundraiser Charity Officer Civil Servant for DFID Armed forces HIV education officer Human rights officer International charity fundraising Refugee and asylum adviser Economic adviser and analyst United Nations terrorism prevention officer Diplomat VSO (Voluntary service overseas) ‘GAP’ project worker Travel, tourism, leisure & culture Expedition leader Travel agent Exhibitions coordinator Leisure centre management Heritage site manager Eco Tour guide Tourist information officer Visit (London) guide Civil servant for DCMS (Dept for culture, media, sport) Travel writer TV researcher Holiday representative Cultural arts officer 2012 TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) teach

Knowledge –Cultural, political, economic and environmental issues incorporating local, regional and international perspectives. –Moral and ethical issues arising from an understanding of diversity in people and places. –Issues of globalisation, environmental sustainability, multiculturalism and citizenship. Thinking Skills –Expertise in integrating, analysing and synthesising information from a range of sources, gained by working with complex environments and issues. – The knowledge, skills & competencies of geographers

Practical Skills –Project management, team-working, laboratory, and field-based research skills. –Well-developed literacy, numeracy and graphicacy skills. –Analysis and presentation of various data using a range of ICT formats, including geographical information systems (GIS). –The complex ‘real-world’ nature of geographical research requires geographers to be flexible and adaptable. Generic transferable skills & qualities –Communication, organisation, critical thinking, research skills, critical analysis, presentation, ability to work under pressure, self- management, interpersonal skills, confidence and a willingness to learn. – The knowledge, skills & competencies of geographers

I chose Geography because some people had told me it was better for getting a job than some other degrees Geography is a broad subject, covering many different areas. Its strength is its versatility, wide subject base. Geographers have a good knowledge of environmental issues, which are very important now. The benefits of geography being a broad subject could be out-weighed by the fact there are degrees more specific to almost every employment area. This almost makes us a jack of all trades but master of none.

People who have previously undertaken the course and are now employed would be useful to talk to, giving students an idea of what they can expect when they graduate and possible careers choices. If students were to meet with careers advisors at various stages throughout their course, they would be able to make more intelligent decisions when choosing their modules.

I enjoyed group work and presentations. It gave me greater interest in politics and current affairs and greater confidence in engaging in debate. The field trip has proved to be the most effective means of study, with me learning the most in the field trips than all the lectures put together. Personally the opportunity I was given in my 2 nd yr to take a Work Based Learning module, where I worked 180hrs in a school was an essential experience.

We need to do it, degrees are worth less than before and the market is more competitive I came to study Geography not Business Studies

Approaches to embedding employability into geography (Geyde & Chalkley 2006) Employability through the whole degree –all modules make an explicit contribution Employability through core modules –a compulsory 'spine' Provision of work-based learning –work experience or work-related project Employability-related module(s) within the curriculum –optional modules linking to particular career areas Work-related learning in parallel with the curriculum –encouraging active reflection, PDP

What are the strengths and weaknesses of these approaches? Employability through the whole degree Employability through core modules Provision of work-based learning Employability-related module(s) within the curriculum Work-related learning in parallel with the curriculum

The Urban and Regional Environment (UREP) Programme Geography –BA/BSc (Hons) Human Geography –BSc (Hons) Geography –BA (Hons) Geography with Planning Planning Studies Planning and Transport Housing Professional Studies Environmental Conservation Environmental Management Environmental Studies

The Geography Programme Strong emphasis on human geography and the environment Opportunity to specialise in vocational electives –e.g. housing; regeneration; planning; transport; environment; sport & tourism; GIS & spatial analysis Optional placement year Strong emphasis on fieldwork Wide range of learning and assessment formats

Areas to develop More coordination Ensure students are aware of the opportunities and support available Develop and make the strengths and employability aspects of our courses more visible Careers management Encouraging reflection and personal action planning

Thank You Any Questions?

Key references Geyde S & Chalkley B (2006) Employability within Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences The Higher Education Subject Centre for GEES King H (ed) (2006) Enterprise, skills & entrepreneurship: enhancing the curriculum in geography, earth & environmental sciences The Higher Education Subject Centre for GEES

'Employability': student perspectives The term employability is how employable you are, what ‘feathers you have in your cap’ as such. I consider experience a very important factor in making graduates employable, possibly the reputation of the University you graduate from too. The qualities required to successfully acquire a job: i.e. – being able to interpret what the employer will be looking for; good people skills; good attendance record; consistently good marks in qualifications. Type of degree; Level of degree 2.1,1 st etc; University attended?; Work experience; Good references!!!