1. Royal Holloway Careers Service is part of The Careers Group, University of London What Can I do with my Geography degree? Andrew Falconer Careers Adviser, Horton Building

2. Royal Holloway Careers Service is part of The Careers Group, University of London 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 www.rhul.ac.uk/careers/departments/geography.aspx

3. Royal Holloway Careers Service is part of The Careers Group, University of London I can’t tell you what to do with the rest of your life But….

4. Royal Holloway Careers Service is part of The Careers Group, University of London 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

5. Royal Holloway Careers Service is part of The Careers Group, University of London What is a graduate scheme? 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

6. Royal Holloway Careers Service is part of The Careers Group, University of London The Job Journey…. Decide career Graduate 1 st job promotion,promotion,promotionRetire

7. Royal Holloway Careers Service is part of The Careers Group, University of London More likely…. Graduate 1 st job New area of work New area of work Springboard!

8. Royal Holloway Careers Service is part of The Careers Group, University of London Jobs ideas for Geography graduates Related directly to your degree Cartographer Environmental Consultant Geographical Information Systems Planning and Development Surveyor Town planner Teacher / Lecturer Policy research Your degree would be useful? Logistics and Distribution Management International aid development worker Local Government administrator Estate Agent Television Producer Market Researcher Transport planner www.careerstagged.co.uk

9. The Policy Sector National Executive Regional Bell Pottinger GovernmentQuangosPublic Affairs ConsultanciesNGOs/Charities Local International UK/Local General Niche Thames 21, LWT, London Cycling Campaign Woodland Trust FCO/Dfid Brighton Council Environment Agency Natural England WWF, Oxfam, WaterAid Qualgos AcademiaThink-Tanks Centre for Cities Foreign Policy Centre ICOS Watchdogs Advisory Pressure Groups /Others NFU The Environmental Industries Commission CBI European Insurance and Reinsurance Federation Universities UK London First Trade Unions Professional/Trade Bodies Private Companies OFWAT / OFGEM ACOS / ACP London Waste Regulation Authority Universities Research & Teaching-led LDA, GLA International Parliament inc Libraries, POST etc Welsh/NI/Scotland MPs / Lords Learned SocietiesPrivate Companies TUC / Unite / etc Political Parties RSA Royal Society Monarchy Sector Sub-sector Sample Organisations Key EU/UN/NATO MEPs Africa Practice Pfizer

10. Royal Holloway Careers Service is part of The Careers Group, University of London Graduate Destinations (2011) Average salary: £24,000 (last year £20,000)

11. Royal Holloway Careers Service is part of The Careers Group, University of London Reality: Typical Destinations http://graduates.thecareersgroup.co.uk/ 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

12. Royal Holloway Careers Service is part of The Careers Group, University of London Employers

13. Royal Holloway Careers Service is part of The Careers Group, University of London What do I want to do in life?

14. Royal Holloway Careers Service is part of The Careers Group, University of London 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, 2008

15. Royal Holloway Careers Service is part of The Careers Group, University of London 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”

16. Royal Holloway Careers Service is part of The Careers Group, University of London What skills do you have to offer? Skills from Geography degrees: 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 Skills sought by employers: 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.

17. Royal Holloway Careers Service is part of The Careers Group, University of London 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?

18. Royal Holloway Careers Service is part of The Careers Group, University of London Where do graduates find jobs? –11% –10% –16% –5% –25% Company Websites Newspapers / Magazines Recruitment Agency Speculative Applications Personal Network

19. Royal Holloway Careers Service is part of The Careers Group, University of London 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 www.careerstagged.co.uk

20. Royal Holloway Careers Service is part of The Careers Group, University of London 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 www.rhul.ac.uk/careers/departments/geography.aspx

21. Royal Holloway Careers Service is part of The Careers Group, University of London Coming up www.rhul.ac.uk/careers/events

22. GETTING INTO INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT www.facebook.com/internationaldevelopment