Careers and employability

Our geography and geology degree programmes cover a wide range of key graduate skills. These skills are widely recognised by employers and will help you get the career you want, providing you with a wide variety of employment opportunities. Or allow you to continue working towards a postgraduate or professional qualification.

Our students have the opportunity to complete voluntary placements.

“The students immediately set a good impression and showed a high level of interest and commitment….Both students showcased their heightened technical capabilities to conduct Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analysis, a skill which is prevalent in almost all of the work we do. They learnt a number of new skills during their time with the company and continually produced high quality work. Throughout the placement many staff members were impressed by the students aptitude to work proficiently and meet project deadlines. The students positive contribution to the work we do at JBA Consulting is a credit to both themselves and the tuition staff at Edge Hill University.”

As a result, our graduates have achieved successful careers with a variety of employers. These have included geo-environmental engineering, tourism, accountancy, town planning and environmental consultancy. Alumni positions have included:

• Assistant Energy Manager with Mitie Managed Services
• Environmental Geologist with Wardell Armstrong
• Water Analyst with Severn Trent Water Authority
• Graduate Technician with Scientifics
• Senior Town Planner – City of London Corporation

Student profiles

Without my degree I would not have been able to gain my way into the world of business. The transferable skills I learned in my Geography degree helped shaped my career to date.

Rollo Harrison

BSc (Hons) Geography

Through fieldwork, research and practical elements of the modules, I was able to not just learn a subject but begin to participate and be active with how these topics presented in real-life. That pushed me out of my comfort zone but was the best thing I did during my time here.

Lizzie Ward

BA (Hons) Geography and MRes

The comprehensive curriculum covered key areas of geology and physical geography, aligning closely with industry standards and expectations. The guidance and encouragement I received from lecturers and tutors empowered me to pursue summer work placements with local consultancy firms, which proved instrumental in securing early career opportunities and shaping my professional journey.

Elizabeth Mae Smith

BSc (Hons) Geology with Physical Geography

Embedding careers and employability into our programmes

You can improve your employability prospects with an optional, work-based learning module in your second year. This module provides you with a professional setting in which you can apply the knowledge and skills acquired in lectures, workshops and practical classes, while simultaneously extending and refining your knowledge and skills, over and above the experiences provided through the mechanisms of fieldwork and dissertation work.

The department has a close and effective relationship with the University’s dedicated Careers Centre. In all three years of our degree programmes, you can attend a careers workshop. These cover part-time work, volunteering, networking and applying for internships and graduate jobs.

Employability news

News feature

My life in volcanoes

Dr Joaquin Cortes caught the volcano bug growing up in the shadow of one of the most active volcanoes on earth, Villarrica in Chile. He is interested in the thermodynamic processes that lead to the generation of igneous and metamorphic rocks. We talk to Dr Joaquin about his research into volcanoes.

Read more

News story

Coasts for Kids in the running for LCR Culture and Creativity Award

Sefton Coasts for Kids – an initiative to inspire the next generation of learners to protect the world’s coastlines – has been shortlisted for a Liverpool City Region Culture and Creativity Award.

Read more

Events

Careers and Employability Week

Our Careers and Employability Week is designed to help you make the jump from degree study to employment or further study. Content is delivered by department staff and the Careers Centre with assistance from E3i. In these sessions, you will learn about career planning, management and the world of work.

As part of Careers and Employability Week, visitors from top-ranking organisations deliver talks and workshops. Past speakers have included:

• Environment Agency
• United Utilities
• Fairbanks
• Enterprise Rent-a-Car

John Booth, MD Geotechnics commented:

As a professional geologist and in my role as Vice President of the Geological Society, it’s vital that we engage with the geoscientists of the future. As an employer, it’s a great way to give back and meet potential new staff. We need to ensure that they realise that there are companies and academic organisations out there in all aspects of geoscience who want to find the best talent. It’s very pleasing to help students develop the knowledge and skill to identify where those roles are and how to promote themselves in the best way possible. I’m grateful for the invitation to contribute to such a well organised and wide ranging event which tries to bridge the gap between student life and the amazing career opportunities which are out there. I’ve had the chance to enjoy a happy and fulfilling working life in Geology, and it’s great to meet so many enthusiastic people and hopefully help guide them towards something similar

Michael Hodges – Wirral Borough Council commented:

Really appreciate the chance to speak to students about their future careers. Credit to your team for organising what looks to be a fantastic week of employability.

Jonathan Atkins – Gorse Hill Nature Reserve commented:

Thank you for making me so welcome. I hope it was useful. It at least put a different slant on volunteering opportunities and the importance of being proactive. The students are so lucky having staff who put so much into their education.

Topics have included applications, interviews and how to impress at a graduate selection centre.