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Build a career in Geology
This career guide is designed to help University of Portsmouth students and recent graduates explore job options, key employers, and entry routes into the geology sector.
In this guide:
Potential Job Roles
Prospects has a useful list of job profiles, each containing relevant information about key responsibilities, skill requirements, starting salaries, entry requirements, career prospects with links to major employers and current graduate vacancies. Some roles include:
Sectors
- Mining & Quarrying
- Energy
- Engineering Geology
- Environmental Geology & Contaminated Land
- Hydrogeology
- Natural Hazards & Risk
- Research, Teaching & Communication
Explore these sectors and related careers through The Geological Society website.
Gaining Experience
Getting relevant experience is essential. Many employers recruit through internships, placement programmes, or work experience programmes. Overall, additional experience will boost your employment prospects by helping to build a network of contacts. Most of your graduate competition will have degree-related work experience.
Types of Opportunities
Enhance your prospects with hands-on experience through volunteering. Whether you're uncertain about your career path or aiming for professional success, volunteering offers a chance to explore diverse roles and build up key transferable skills. You could think about roles such as:
- STEM Ambassador - promoting your subject to young people to inspire and motivate them
- Faculty Ambassador - representing your faculty at university open days
- Museum Volunteer - helping out at a local museum
Internships are short term work experience opportunities that may last anywhere between 2 weeks - 6 months. They are often completed during vacation periods.
Internships relevant to geology students are offered by a number of large organisations, including:
Placements usually last between 6-12 months and can be taken as part of your degree programme. If you are interested in completing a placement year, speak to the Placements Team in the Careers & Employability Service for more information.
You can also find placement opportunities through:
Where to find opportunities
These are some key platforms for finding work experience:
You could also think about approaching employers directly to enquire of any suitable work experience opportunities. This is called a speculative approach, and can work well with smaller businesses who might not advertise as many opportunities.
Getting the most out of work experience
Whether you already have a career path in mind or are still exploring your options, our work experience pages guide you to finding opportunities that match your interests and goals. You'll find advice on choosing an industry, broadening your search, and standing out while building valuable skills and experience.
Finding a Graduate Job
We recommend starting your search using our online jobs board, MyCareer. You can also find general online job boards and advice through our Graduate Jobs page.
Are you looking for a role in Hampshire? Our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy can help!
If you're in the final year of your degree, you can register for support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy. They work with over 3,000 employers in the local area to place our students into fantastic graduate careers.
Speculative applications
Speculative applications involve sending a CV and cover letter to an employer to ask if they have any vacancies, even if the company is not currently advertising for a role. They're a great way to access "hidden jobs" that go unadvertised.
Submitting a speculative application shows your interest in a specific company and your willingness to go above and beyond to develop your skills and understanding of the industry.
Working for yourself
Got an idea you'd like to turn into something bigger?
Whether you're planning a business, side hustle or freelance career, our Student StartUp team can help you build your confidence and develop your plans. Access expert guidance, funding opportunities, workshops and workspace designed to help you move your idea forward.
Keep up-to-date with the industry
It's good to keep up-to-date on sector developments and track any vacancies coming up. Below are some great resources to help you research opportunities available. The knowledge gained through your research may help you to target your applications and will help when preparing for interviews.
- Geology Career Path page authored by The Geological Society to find out more about different geological careers
- The Geological Society - world-leading society of earth sciences
- Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists - group that represents geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering in the UK
- British Geotechnical Association - principal association for geotechnical engineers
- British Geological Survey - research organisation providing geoscientific information and knowledge
- Geologists' Association - an organisation for those that are interested in the past, present and future of geology
- Geologist's Directory - a list of geology-related employers in the UK with contact details (useful for research or speculative applications!)
Explore more from the Careers Service
CVs, portfolios and cover letters
Find out how to increase your chances of getting an interview by writing a strong CV and completing a successful application.
Building work experience
Get hands-on industry experience and showcase your knowledge before you graduate!
Graduate job search guide
Learn about the types of roles you will encounter, and how to search for roles.
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