We reviewed our careers webinars, covering advice from over 40 professional geographers and 11 sectors, our careers resources, profiling over 100 geographers and their careers, and the advice and knowledge of our professional network.
See our five key tips for starting your careers with geography – actions you can build into our next job application.
1. Explore: do your research about the role, company and sector
Employers are keen to hire employees who are knowledgeable and interested in the work they’ll be doing. In your application, and especially at the interview, it can be important to demonstrate this.
If you've done your research, if you come to an interview and can speak knowledgeably, those can be the key differentiators for getting your foot in the door”
Tina Thomson, Willis Towers Watson
Before you apply, make sure you understand what the company does and where your role would fit into that. In particular, use the company website to find out more about the area of work the role involves.
There isn't a onestop shop listing all the internships and work experience - it is sifting through, identifying companies you align with in ethos, culture and behaviour and watching what they're up to”
Natalie Stirrat, Arcadis
Finally, remember that volunteering, work experience and short shadowing placements can all help you get a sense of what a job involves.
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2. Networking: Use any avenues, including professional bodies like the RGS-IBG
Don’t just think of networking as formal, professional events – it means developing relationships with people who share your interests! To build your profile and make contacts, you can attend events, discuss areas of work on social media, and keep up to date with sector news.
Use social media to your advantage, showcase your skillset and get noticed. Join societies - if you can get on committees that's a great way to network - and get along to conferences to get noticed.”
Paul Naylor, Ordnance Survey
Professional bodies like the Society are a place where professionals with a particular interest in an issue or discipline can share their knowledge and network.
See more:
Professional bodies: what they offer students and graduates, TARGETjobs
Networking: How to Maximize Opportunities and Boost Your Career Connections, career-advice.jobs.ac.uk
Networking, University of Brighton
3. Experience: seek relevant experience but also learn to communicate skills you have
An employer shouldn’t expect you to be perfectly adapted and skilled for a particular role before starting – particularly when you’re a new graduate. However, developing some level of relevant skills and experience to a role suggests that you will be able to contribute more effectively, and that you will be able to understand and carry out your work.
Take that leap and recognise you have skills from university that these industries are looking for”
Marie Gallagher, Hackney Council
You can use experience from your degree, from part-time work or volunteering, or from extra-curricular activities. Think about how you can relate anything you’ve done to what a role needs.
Remember: when applying, don’t just say that you did something. Be concise as possible, while explaining what you did, what the outcome was, and the skills you developed. Try the STAR method, for example.
Improving how you communicate your relevant experience could be more important than getting more experience!
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4. Passion: Demonstrate your interest and commitment
Key here is showing employers that you’re interested in an area of work you’d be doing. Most people will say they are passionate on a job application – but it’s more effective to demonstrate this with examples.
You show your passion through experience, a portfolio, by applying for different schemes - not just through one example, but in various situations”
Victoria Nakyejwe
Draw from your dissertation in a related area, societies you’ve joined or events you’ve attended on a relevant issue, any blogs you’ve written, and of course work experience or volunteering that shows you’re genuinely interested in an area of work.
Joining professional organisations and following individuals, companies and trade publications on social media can help you keep on top of news and events from areas of work you’re interested in.
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5. Understand and communicate your skills as a geographer
First, understand your own skills and those you develop studying geography. Explicitly writing down or mapping out what you can do is helpful for you to understand what an employer could see in you.
Write all about your skills, areas of interest and people you know, and keep adding to it throughout your career.”
Cara Treasure, Pump Aid.
For inspiration, look at our career profiles and other geographers’ LinkedIn profiles to see what skills they claim and how they showcase experiences to demonstrate or prove those skills. For interviews, you could try finding practice interviews with a careers service, and focus on getting across what you can do, with examples.
Or go back to basics, thinking about what geography is and what geographers bring to a workplace – focusing on the value you add as a geographer.
Then, work out how you can explain and communicate these skills to employers. For each skill, try writing a short example breaking down something you did in a way that makes it really obvious how you used that skill. You can then understand how to clearly communicate your skills.
See more:
Presenting your skills when applying for jobs, Help Centre, The Open University