Geology : Your skills

Geology is a multidisciplinary subject which promotes an understanding of the processes that shape the natural world and the way they affect and are affected by human activities. It draws upon both natural and social sciences to examine issues concerning the availability and sustainability of resources. Geology students are thus able to look at problems from a wide perspective. In recent years it has also become an increasingly quantitative subject which has enhanced its value in the wider world.

Geology courses not only give you specific knowledge related to your programme of study but also develop a wide variety of graduate key skills which are sought after by many employers. These include:

• producing, analysing and summarising information;
• applying knowledge and understanding to complex and multidimensional problems in familiar and unfamiliar contexts;
• receiving and responding to a variety of information sources (e.g. textual, numerical, oral, graphical);
• communicating appropriately to a variety of audiences using written, oral and graphical methods;
• preparing, processing, interpreting and presenting data, using appropriate qualitative and quantitative techniques and packages;
• solving numerical problems using computer and non-computer based techniques;
• planning, conducting and reporting on investigations;
• undertaking field and laboratory investigations in a responsible and safe manner, paying due attention to risk assessment, rights of access, relevant health and safety regulations, and sensitivity to the impact of investigations on the environment and stakeholders;
• identifying individual and collective goals and responsibilities and performing in a manner appropriate to these roles.

Consider the skills developed on your course as well as through your other activities, such as paid work, volunteering, family responsibilities, sport, membership of societies, leadership roles, etc. Think about how these can be used as evidence of your skills and personal attributes. Then you can start to market and sell who you really are, identify what you may be lacking and consider how to improve your profile. Take a look at job application advice for some useful tips.