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As a degree subject, geography is highly respected by employers. Geography graduates have one of the highest rates of graduate employment, pursuing a wide range of career paths. It’s often said that there is no such thing as a geography job; rather there are multiple jobs that geographers do. Whether you have just completed a geography degree, or are thinking ahead to your next steps are planning what to do after it, we have information about your employability, work experience and career options, including advice about postgraduate study, how to plan your career, and how to find and apply successfully for jobs.
Things to consider when choosing a career:
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Which aspects of geography do you enjoy?
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Do you prefer to work in a team or by yourself?
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Which of your geographical skills are your strengths?
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All jobs need broad, transferable skills. Think about how you have a portfolio of skills
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Will you need any professional qualifications to follow your career path?
During your undergraduate studies, it is important to think ahead to what you plan to do after graduation. This will help you to plan and set targets for achieving your career goals, and may also influence decisions such as undergraduate module choices or securing work experience. The following resources might help you to do this:
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Our 'Going places with geography' guide and example careers, which explore the wide range of careers opened up to those who study geography
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Our compilation of video clips of geography graduates and other video interviews and articles demonstrating potential careers
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Our online job finding tools to help you browse the opportunities that exist for geographers
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Also, look at our Geography Teacher Training Scholarship programme, offered in conjunction with the Department for Education, if you are considering a career in teaching geography
Being a professional
Whether or not you go into a career related to your degree in geography, being a professional will go a long way to making your experience in the world of work more rewarding and serve you well in getting ahead. 'Standing out from the crowd' will get you the jobs you want to do; allow you to develop your responsibilities in each role you undertake; and help you progress in your career. Your geographical training will have provided you with many transferable skills already, but there are several other aspects of working life which you need to consider.
Being a professional in the workplace is the most important thing you can do to leave a positive impression on colleagues and clients, and get recommendations when you need them in the future.
The key features of acting professionally include:
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Acting professionally in the workplace
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Being committed to continuing professional development (CPD)
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Working towards, achieving or maintaining a recognised accreditation
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Developing and maintaining relationships with other professionals by networking
Use your employer to get feedback on how you are performing during your regular professional development reviews. Your line manager may also be able to give you advice about how to improve your skills and knowledge, which professional memberships or accreditations are considered useful in your sector, and what CPD opportunities are available for you.