Graduates come back to campus to inspire Geography and Environmental Science students

In February nine of our graduates returned to campus to talk with current students about careers.

Some of our lovely graduates

The event enabled our current students to find out more about graduate careers, recruitment processes and life after uni.

You can read the full story here.

Mark returns to class

We love welcoming our alumni back to campus! Each year we invite our recent graduates to return to class to talk with current students about career options. There are so many opportunities for Geography and Environmental Science graduates, and who better to learn from than our own alumni?

Mark Brown (Geography graduate, 2019) recently visited Northampton to tell us about his experiences training to be a secondary school teacher.

Mark Brown with current students

He explained what his training involves, the highs and lows of his time in school, and what he loves about his job. Mark also shared his insights about the recruitment process, and gave tips on work experience.

Graduates return to campus

Ten of our geography, environmental sciences and biology graduates recently returned to campus to talk to current students about graduate careers.

Our lovely graduates!

The session was held as part of a series of careers-related events.

It was great to see the progress made by our recent graduates in their chosen careers.

The graduates spoke with groups of first, second and third year students about their job, career opportunities in their sector, and recruitment processes.

The session provided lots of opportunities for current students to ask questions.

A wide range of job roles and industries were represented, including the Met Office, Environment Agency, BIFFA, Chartered Institute of Waste Management, RPS Group, Olive Communications, Project Centre, local government and GIS.

Students learn about graduate recruitment

Third year Geography students take part in a number of workshops facilitated by the University's careers advisors to help boost their employability.

This week the students tried out some of the activities used by graduate employers at Assessment Centres.

Getting started on the modelling clay activity

The first task was a 'tell me about yourself' activity. Students had 5 minutes to create an object that represents them using modelling clay, and then 20 seconds to introduce themselves to the rest of the group.

A wide range of objects were produced using the modelling clay

A lovely mammoth!

Then groups were given a scenario to read and had to discuss and plan a response to it.  They were required to present their work to the class.

Notes taken by one group in response to the scenario task

Presenting findings to the rest of the class

Careers Advisors and the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Science & Technology provided feedback on students' performance at the tasks and gave tips for how to be successful at Assessment Centres.

Geography students visit SW USA

Second year Geography students have just returned from trip of a lifetime! They spent two weeks in Nevada, Arizona and Utah as part of the USA Field Module.

The students learned about tourism, geology and landscape development, and resource management.

Learning about tourism and Route 66 in Arizona

Visiting Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

They visited a number of National Parks during the trip, including the Grand Canyon.

Smiling despite the rain!

The traditional Grand Canyon group photo

Admiring Delicate Arch (Arches National Park)

The glorious Bryce Canyon National Park

The group travelled through iconic landscapes, such as Monument Valley.

At Monument Valley

There was also an opportunity to learn about adventure tourism through rafting on the Colorado River in Moab, Utah.

Rafting the Colorado River

Towards the end of the trip the group spent some time in Las Vegas, learning about the unique tourist experience offered by the city.

The group's Twitter account of their trip can be viewed here (no login necessary).

Geography graduate returns to class

As part of the GEO3030 Geographers at Work module recent graduates return to class to tell current students about life after graduation.

Mitch Robinson joined the class this week to talk about his career.  Mitch studied BSc (Hons) Geography at Northampton and graduated in July 2014.  His first role was with the Black Country Consortium, working as an Economic Development Graduate.  Mitch outlined the skills he had learned in this role, and the process of applying for - and getting! - that first graduate job.

Mitchell Robinson

He also outlined his current role - he is now a Sustainable Travel Officer for Centro.  His role focuses on cycling and walking.  Mitch outlined the work he has been doing with the Bostin Bikes scheme, and explained how he has been working with various stakeholders to develop further cycle routes in the region.

There were opportunities for students to ask questions about the role and to find out more about graduate recruitment processes.

Mitch's visit was the first in a series - a number of other graduates will be returning to class over the next few weeks...

Science and Technology Fair Wednesday 29th April 2015

The Science and Technology Fair will take place in Newton Grand Hall between 10am and 3.30pm on Wednesday 29th April 2015.   Below are the names of the organisations attending:

Atomic Science, BINDT, Booker Ltd, British Army CGI, Dimension Data, E-Filing, Fujitsu, Jumar Solutions Limited, Kypera Ltd, Royal Air Force, Skills2Learn, Step, Travis Perkins, Unitemps, University STEM Programme, Worksmart Ltd.

Graduates return to the University to talk to students about careers

This week we welcomed two recent graduates back to the University to talk to our third year Geography and Environmental Science students about life after University.  Tommy Fojut spoke about his current role as a Graduate Transport Planner.  He spoke about what the role involves, what the application process was like, and about the importance of getting relevant work experience.  Matt Gibbs outlined how he had used speculative applications to gain an internship in the marketing sector.  He explained how this internship had led to an opportunity for a paid position, and described his current role.  Both Tommy and Matt answered questions from the students and gave tips on what they could do now to enhance their employability.

University of Northampton graduates Matt and Tommy

Reflections of a Joint Honours student - Taonga Kaonga

Studying at the University of Northampton has been enriching but also an opportunity to understand the higher education system. The experience has taught me to work hard and work towards deadlines, work within teams and as an individual. My experience at the University of Northampton has prepared me for the working world and I feel that I have gained valuable skills that are essential within the working world. The lecturers' support was beyond my expectations and being able to study two subjects allowed me to understand which path I would love to follow once I completed my degree.

The University of Northampton has been very supportive in every aspect of my learning providing various avenues for development both within the academic field and outside by providing extra curriculum activities related to the courses being studied.

Careers Day for Second Year Geography Students

On 24th April 2014 second year geography students attended a Career Planning Day at the University. This event, supported by staff from the University’s Centre for Employability and Engagement, was designed to help students to think about possible careers and identify actions that they can take over the summer period to boost their employability. The day included presentations by careers advisors on enhancing your CV and getting relevant work experiences. Group activities helped students to find out about the sort of jobs Geographers do and to identify skills gaps. Students also had the opportunity to talk to current third years to find out more about what they can expect in the final year of their degree.

The Career Planning Day is just one of the ways in which students’ employability is supported. In their final year of study Geography students undertake a career planning module. This provides training in writing effective CVs, applications and covering letters, and includes a mock interview exercise. Recent graduates and employers give guest lectures, and one-to-one support is also available from careers advisors.

The students provided very positive feedback about the Career Planning Day. We are now looking to develop a similar event next year for first year Geography students too.

Waste Minimisation and Resource Efficiency in the Community

Environmental and Geographical Sciences students recently undertook a series of resource efficiency audits for community groups and schools in Northamptonshire.  Audit organisations include an umbrella organisation, Community Spaces, which runs twelve community centres in the county and Northamptonshire County Council (NCC). 

Over the course of the year students undertake resource auditing training as part of a 3^rd year module. The first term involves a ‘training block’ of topics which take the form of a series of ‘Environmental Business Imperatives ‘(EBIs). The EBIs provide the students with the knowledge and skills to apply auditing techniques in organisations.  Upon completion of the module students receive certification as can be seen in the photo.

Monitoring consumption of energy, water and raw materials as well as waste and waste water is an essential first step in resource efficiency.  In their written report, students identify priority areas where financial savings can be made and ‘identify quick wins’ where savings can be made for no capital outlay.  The schools audits, in partnership with NCC, took on a much greater focus this year as part of a wider European project, ‘ZECO₂’s‘.  NCC is committed to a series of actions in the project which aims to feed into the development of a community–focused zero carbon certification scheme. The emissions data collected by the students will form part of the baseline data to help schools reduce energy consumption and emissions and become examples of good practice.

London Waste and Recycling Board’ COO gives seminar to UoN environmental management students

Students on the Wastes Management and Environmental Management programmes recently had the opportunity to gain an insight into the manner in which waste is managed in London. The talk was given by Mr Wayne Hubbard, the Chief Operating Officer of the London Waste and Recycling Board (LWARB).

Mr Hubbard, who has over 17 years experience in the waste sector gave an informative and enlightening presentation on the work of the LWARB, the direction he thought the waste sector in London should be in going in, in future, and also provided some career tips for the students.

The students got to hear about some of the infrastructure development work that the Board was currently engaged in, including significant investments in treatment facilities. There was also a lively discussion about the ‘politics’ of managing waste in the capital, as well as Mr Hubbard’s views on where resources should be focused currently and in future, to ensure a sustainable approach.

With respect to career choices, the advice was simple. He noted that it was important for those seeking to get into the field to be able to think and work independently. Those that worked hard were rewarded and progressed in the sector.

The presentation enabled both students and staff the opportunity to engage with a key figure in the sector. It also served to provoke much discussion on issues around sustainable management of resources in the UK, both during and following the talk.