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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.”

JBA Consulting logo

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:

Student profiles

amanda hughes

My proudest moment was winning a National Student Award from the Institute of Quarrying. It made all the hard work – 40 days identifying rocks in the wind and rain of the Lake District – worthwhile.

Amanda Hughes

BSc (Hons) Geology with Geography

View student profile
Geography and Geology student Caroline

I’ve been on some great field trips. Fieldwork was interactive and fun. I especially loved the trip to Ullapool in Scotland: it felt like the defining moment of my degree.

Caroline Binns

BSc (Hons) Geography & Geology

View student profile

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 getting part-time work, volunteering, networking and applying for internships and graduate jobs.

Employability news

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.