Geography
Geography employability section
What can you do with a Geography degree? Well the short answer is 'quite a lot'. Employers value the wide-ranging computer, statistical, research and analytical skills that geography graduates bring to the market. These wide ranging skills help to make Geography one of the most employable degrees. A report in the Guardian cites geography as one of the degrees with the best employability rates.
As a geographer you will have a range of transferable skills as well as more specific skills developed on your specialist courses. You may not find many jobs under the term ‘geographer’ but the skills you have apply to a wide variety of jobs including:
- Planning and community roles
- Education
- Cartographer
- GIS analysis
- Environmental management
- Research
- Transportation management
- Coastal and fluvial management
- Travel, tourism and leisure jobs
- Statistical data analysis
- Resource management
- Remote sensing
Check out our graduate employability profiles by former students.
We have also produced a detailed guide with a wide range of links for those looking for vacancies relevant to those with a geography degree.
Thinking of studying Geography?
If you are thinking of studying Geography at university, visit the Royal Geographical Society (RGS) for more information on geographical careers or visit the Geographical Association.
Purple Door Careers and Recruitment
Purple Door offer a series of different services and events for students. These include one to one advice on careers as well as organizing recruitment events and fairs. Students are strongly advised to book an appointment with an advisor to discuss your needs. You should also think about take your CV along to Purple Door advisors for advice on its content and structure.
Royal Geographical Society Ambassador Scheme
At Portsmouth we actively encourage our students to become RGS Geography Ambassadors, and promote the study of our discipline in secondary schools post 14 years. The department has been working with the RGS since 2008 and every year 25-30 of our students are trained and mentored by the RGS in designing and delivering presentations, and engaging with school students in participating schools. The scheme gives our students experience in demonstrating the skills and expertise gained studying geography at Portsmouth, as well as imparting a love for their discipline and inspiring the next generation of geographers to explore the physical and social world around them. Ambassadors grow in confidence as a result of their involvement.
The RGS provides Ambassadors with references and the scheme is excellent experience for those considering a range of careers: teaching, working with young people, the charitable sector and local and national government agencies. Voluntary experience is increasingly important for employability and helps to develop well rounded graduates ready to contribute to the job market and wider society.
