Gaining Experience
Geology
Gaining fieldwork experience is an essential part of your geology studies, since it provides necessary practical experience to complement your learning, as well as the opportunity to establish a good network of employer’s contacts. Undertaking a period of work experience can also help you make decisions about future career plans.
Types of opportunities
Placements
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 Science & Health Placements Hub.
You can also find placement opportunities through:
Internships
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:
Volunteering
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
Speculative applications
Another way to potentially secure experience within this field is with a speculative applications. This involves sending a CV and cover letter to an employer to ask if they can offer any work experience, even if the company is not currently advertising placements or internships.
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. A good place to start is with industry directories, to see a list of companies that you might wish to target, such as:
Building work experience
Learn more about how we can support you in securing experience and translating the skills you gain to future applications.
Get in touch
Rosalind Franklin East, 28 Guildhall Walk, Portsmouth, PO1 2DD
