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.

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 programmes accredited by Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)

In December 2016 we heard the great news that our Single Honours Geography programmes have been accredited by the the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG).

Accredited degree programmes contain a solid academic foundation in geographical knowledge and skills, and prepare graduates to address the needs of the world beyond higher education. The accreditation criteria require evidence that graduates from accredited programmes meet defined sets of learning outcomes, including subject knowledge, technical ability and transferable skills.

To find out more about our Geography programmes click here, or come to one of our Open Days.

Geography students return to class

Each year we welcome former students back to class to talk about life after graduation.

Tom Lee, Matt Gibbs and Hardeep Rai

Tom Lee told students about his experiences of postgraduate study, outlining the advantages and challenges of Masters qualification.  He also explained about his current role as a Trainee Operational Meteorologist with the Met Office, and about the competitive recruitment process for this position.

Matt Gibbs works for a corporate communications consultancy, Radley Yeldar.  He told students about how speculative applications can lead to internships and employment.  Matt explained what his role involves on a day-to-day basis, and talked about the importance of finding a career path that is both enjoyable and challenging.

Hardeep Rai works as a Flood and Coastal Risk Management Officer for the Environment Agency.  He told students about what the role involves, and how his studies at Northampton have helped him in this role.

Geography graduate returns to class #2

Sian Williams studied Human Geography & Health Studies at the University of Northampton, graduating in 2014.  She recently returned to campus to talk to final year students about life after graduation.

Sian is currently on a graduate programme with Baxi.  She told the students how she had found out about the role, what the application process involved, and what her role involves on a day-to-day basis.

Sian Williams

A number of alumni are attending classes this term as part of the Geographers at Work module.  The module aims to boost students' employability through supporting their career planning.

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...