Geography : Career areas

A 2011 HESA survey of 2010 graduates show that six months after graduating just over half of geography graduates had entered paid work, either in the UK or overseas.  

Geography graduates entered into a wide range of jobs in a variety of sectors. Initially, just under a third of those employed went into non-graduate roles, such as clerical/secretarial positions, retail, catering or bar work.

Of those who entered graduate-level jobs, roles in commercial, industrial and public sector management were the most popular with 13% of graduates entering this type of work. A further 9% went into business and financial occupations, while another 9% started work in professional and technical occupations.

Many organisations are interested in the analytical and research skills developed by geographers during their degrees. For example, The Ministry of Defence (MOD) employs geography graduates as research analysts, and the Police Service offers civilian careers in intelligence analysis and research. Companies also recruit geography graduates as trainee account executives, with responsibility for developing knowledge of their clients’ accounts and understanding their research needs.

Where are the jobs?

Examples of employers include local government, the armed forces, private companies, environmental consultancies, environmental protection agencies, utilities, charities, information systems organisations, education authorities, further and higher education institutions, commerce, industry, transport, tourism and the civil service. Geography graduates have excellent transferable skills, which also attract employers from the business, law and finance sectors. 

For further information on some of the above employers see:

• Environment and agriculture;
• Government and public administration;
• Charity and development work.

See industry insights for further information on possibilities in other employment areas.

Statistics are collected every year to show what HE students do immediately after graduation. These can be a useful guide but, in reality, because the data is collected within six months of graduation, many graduates are travelling, waiting to start a course, paying off debts, getting work experience or still deciding what they want to do. For further information about some of the areas of employment commonly entered by graduates of any degree discipline, check out What Do Graduates Do?  and your degree...what next?