Geology What Next?

Geology at UCC

What can Geology Graduates offer employers?

The skills and qualities developed through studying geology are highly transferable into a variety of roles and different working environments. In particular, the ability to analyse problems, and come up with creative solutions, and to work with others within tight timeframes, and in unfamiliar environments, are common skills to geologists.

A geology graduate will have developed the ability to:

· Undertake 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.· Apply knowledge and understanding to complex problems in familiar and unfamiliar contexts.· Produce, analyse and summarise information.· Receive and respond to a variety of information sources (e.g. textual, numerical, oral, and graphical).· Communicate appropriately to a variety of audiences using written, oral and graphical methods.· Prepare, process, interpret and present data, using qualitative and quantitative techniques and packages.· Solve numerical problems using computer and non-computer based techniques.· Plan, conduct and report on investigations.

Geology is the

study of the history of

the Earth and other planets in

our solar system; their chemical

and physical composition,

their structure and evolution.

The study of Geology includes

investigations into the nature

and composition of the Earth’s

outer crust and deep interior,

allowing us to understand the

formation and occurrence of

natural resources such as coal,

oil, gas, groundwater and mineral

deposits. It also allows us to

understand natural

geo-hazards like earthquakes,

volcanic eruptions and tsunamis

as well as about the processes

that formed this planet over

millions of years.

First destinations of Geology GraduatesGeology can be undertaken as a major subject in UCC by students of the BSc Environmental and Earth Sciences. The class numbers are relatively small. Over the past five years, 41 graduates of the BSc Environmental and Earth System Sciences chose geology as a major subject.

Each year, UCC Career Services produces a First Destination Report based on an annual survey of graduates six months after graduation. The following table presents the five year trend for graduates of geology within the BSc Environmental and Earth System Sciences. According to this table, a relatively high percentage of geology graduates progressed directly to employment after graduation and a relatively small percentage (less than a third year each year) progress directly to a postgraduate qualification.

Geology W

hat Next?

A large percentage of the geology graduates who progressed to employment within six months availed of the plentiful opportunities available in the mining industry, particularly in Australia, Canada and more recently in Ireland. The following table provides a sample of the roles listed by these graduates on FDR surveys returned to UCC Careers Services:

Course Title Institution

Masters in Environmental Engineering Queens University Belfast

PhD (Geology) Trinity College Dublin

MSc (Mining Geology) University Abroad

MA Geography (Coastal Management & Geographical Info. Systems) UCC

PhD (Geo Chemistry) University Abroad

MSc (Sustainable Water Management) University Abroad

MSc (Contaminated Land & Remediation) University Abroad

MSc (Petroleum Geoscience) University Abroad

MSc by Research UCD

PhD (Science) UCC

Of those who progressed directly to postgraduate study, some chose courses that related directly to the study of geology. The following list provides a sample of the postgraduate courses closely related to geology that listed by geology graduates on FDRs returned to the Career Services:

Role Employer

Junior Geologist

Geophysicist

Geologist

Geological Explorer

Sales Assistant

Energy & Minerals Australia Ltd.

BIG, Montana

Moultrie Geology, Australia

Geoconsult, Australia

Dairygold Co-Operative Ltd., Cork

In Employment 50% 33% 25% 75% 67%

In Further Study or Training 25% 33% 25% 25% 17%

Seeking Employment 25% 0% 50% 0% 17%

Not Available for Employment or Study 0% 33% 0% 0% 0%

2011

Who Employs Geology Graduates?

What Postgraduate Courses do Geology Graduates Choose?

Geology W

hat Next?

Others chose postgraduate qualifications that would provide them with the knowledge and skills to find employment in new areas. This list provides a sample of the “conversion” courses chosen by geology graduates as listed in FDR reports returned UCC Career Services:

Institution

Graduate paths 3-5 years after graduation

Higher Diploma in Business Studies UCD

Long term prospects for Geology GraduatesTypical employers of geology graduates include those in the oil, gas and petroleum sectors, environmental consultancies and civil engineering companies. Overseas work can be a common feature of careers using geology. Some experienced professionals may also become self-employed consultants. A geology degree can provide a useful basis for further study and employment in a wide range of interesting areas..

Consult the following recommended websites to research these and all graduate roles in more depth:

www.prospects.ac.uk/www.gradireland.comwww.careersportal.ie/

Roles related directly to Geology:· Geoscientist/Geo-physicist· Wellsite Geologist· Hydro-geologist· Mudlogger· Geochemist· Engineering Geologist

Roles for which Geology is useful:· Mineral Surveyor· Geo-physical Data Processor· Drilling Engineer· Environmental Consultant

Bachelor of Science (Environmental Sciences) Geology UCC

Mathematics Higher Diploma in Applied Science UCC (Modelling & Numerical Computing) Marketing Masters in Management & Marketing UCCAccounting Higher Diploma in Accounting & Corporate Finance UCCAccounting Postgrad Diploma in Accounting DITEconomics HDip Economic Science UCDPsychology HDip Psychology UCCLaw PGDip. Law DITJournalism MA Journalism DIT, CIT, DCU, ULPublic Relations MA Public Relations DIT, CITComputing HDip Applied Computing Technology UCCFilm Studies Masters in Film Studies UCC

Course TitleArea

Junior Geologist Energy and Minerals Australia Ltd

Bachelor of Science (Environmental Sciences) Geology UCC

MSc. Marketing UCD

Marketing Internship, Engineers Ireland

While this resource provides you with an overview of the career options available with your degree, each person carves their own career path based on their personal values and interests. Your college years are an ideal time to explore careeroptions while gaining new experience and learning new skills. Why not speak to a careers adviser to help you getstarted?

As a student of UCC, you are entitled to book a free personal consultation with a careers adviser at UCC CareerServices. You can return as many times as needed because we understand that it makes sense to begin planning yourcareer from �rst year onwards – don’t wait until �nal year! We look forward to meeting you, no matter what youryear of study. For your convenience, we now have a web-based booking system. Book your appointment online viaour website – www.ucc.ie/careers - in the Meet an Advisor section.

Where can I find out more?

8 ways to put your degree to workEmployers want graduates with a healthy balance between study, work and extra-

curricular interests. A three-dimensional CV is evidence of maturity, life skills and active

citizenship, indicating that you will be a sociable, committed and reliable colleague.

You can boost your job prospects greatly by taking the following steps throughout your

degree years:

· Get involved in the Students’ Union or a club/society that interests you.

· Gain relevant paid/voluntary work experience during holidays.

· Sign up for training courses that will strengthen your skillset, e.g. languages, ECDL.

· Set up a LinkedIn profile and start building your network.

· Go to the UCC Career Services for careers advice and assistance with CV and

interview preparation, job search strategies, and postgraduate options.

· Attend careers events organised on campus and advertised on www.ucc.ie/careers· Use careers events to initiate relationships with potential employers.

· Check job vacancies regularly on www.ucc.ie/careers and www.gradireland.com

Did you know?

Irish Geoscience Graduate Programme have short courses of many forms, some field based, some lecture based courses. Graduate students can take as many courses as they need to broaden skills, knowledge and increase their employability. You can register at www.iggp.ie

Examples include: Seismology for Non-Seismologists, Computational Statistics, Remote Sensing for Geoscientists, Basic Maths Tools for Geoscientists

Institute of Geologists of Ireland www.igi.ie/Geological Society www.geolsoc.org.uk/index.htmlThe Geological Society of America www.geosociety.org/The Geological Society of Australia www.gsa.org.au/British Geological Survey www.bgs.ac.uk/Earth Science World www.earthscienceworld.org/Oil Careers www.oilcareers.com/worldwide Energy Institute www.energyinst.org.uk/index.cfm?PageID=48Careers in Oil & Gas www.careersinoilandgas.comOFGEM www.ofgem.gov.ukCareers Insider on Oil http://jobs.telegraph.co.uk/careers-insiderMatchtech www.matchtech.com/oil-and-gas-jobsBP www.bp.com/careersCentrica www.centricagraduates.com EDF Energy www.edfenergy.com/graduatesEON UK www.eon-uk.com/careersExxon Mobil www.exxonmobil.com/ukrecruitmentFirst Hydro Company www.fhc.co.uk/recruitment.aspNational Grid UK www.nationalgrid.com/freshtalentRWE npower www.brightergraduates.comShell www.shell.com/careersScottish Power www.scottishpower.comScottish & Southern Energy www.scottish-southern.co.ukUnited Utilities www.unitedutilities.comSchool of BEES www.ucc.ie/en/bees/