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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 (£)
Nu
mb
er o
f R
esp
on
den
ts
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
er o
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?