Employment & Skills

Employability Skills gained through Geography

Don't underestimate the skills you can gain through studying Geography:

• When you write a 4-mark answer you demonstrate that you can recall important information and communicate in a concise style that would be useful in an employer's report.

• Every time you answer a 6-mark AO3 question you are using powers of observation and deduction to extract and interpret information from a resource, which often requires skim-reading and numeracy - all essential skills for getting to grips in the workplace.  When you complete a 6-mark AO1/2 question you are able to use your own knowledge to make judgements about information that you are given.

• Writing 20-mark essays requires you to consider evidence and make evaluative judgements whilst weighing up both sides of an argument.  An employer would find these skills helpful when completing an exercise such as cost-benefit analysis.

• During fieldwork you work as part of a team and are involved in practical tasks that involve handling equipment and accurately recording data.

• In the completion of your 4,000 word coursework investigation you are demonstrating organisation and independence of thought, as well as research skills, the collection of your own data and its presentation and statistical analysis to arrive at reasoned conclusions.

Don't forget the chance you have to develop these skills, as well gain an A Level, by choosing Geography.  You would be able to write about how you've become more skilled in a personal statement for a job or university application.  Geography is one of the best A Levels for giving you a wide breadth of skills!

QE Geography Links with Employers

We have three employer champions:

• Steven Longstaff, Director at ELG Planning in Darlington, is a former QE Geography student.  Every year, students have the opportunity to apply for work experience with this organisation, to give an insight into the decisions taken by planners and the nature of factors they need to consider.

• Steve Read, Manager of YHA Wasdale Hall.  Steve meets everyone during residential fieldwork and has shared his insight into working in a place we study, meaning that staff are better informed when teaching about it.

• Andrew Turnbull, Northern Rail.  Andrew is a former QE Geographer who has worked in a range of transport companies at national to global scale.  He has shared experience of working companies at this scale, which has informed our teaching about TNCs.