What can you do with an Earth science degree?

Things to consider when choosing a career or considering further study after an Earth science degree

Image of large green marble rock, quartz veins, metamorphic rock surface

Knowledge and skills

As well as learning about the Earth's composition and processes, you will conduct in depth study into minerals, rocks, fossils and as well as geological structures. You will develop techniques of analysis, interpreting data and mapping both in the field and the laboratory. During an Earth science degree you will also develop a range of transferable skills that are attractive to a broad range of employers in the industry and beyond, including:

skills in observation, data collection, analysis and interpretation
verbal communication skills developed through conveying complex information and delivering presentations
written communication skills developed through regular submission of essays, reports and dissertation.
the ability to understand abstract concepts and articulate these to a range of audiences
the ability to handle information in a range of different mediums, e.g. textual, numerical, oral, graphical
skills in research and data collection, analysis and evaluation utilising GIS and remote sensing skills and reports
mathematical and computational skills including tectonics and geophysics
IT skills, for example computer cartography and the use of databases and spreadsheets
problem-solving skills and lateral thinking
teamworking skills and the ability to work on your own initiative.
planning and problem-solving skills
creative thinking and the ability to recognise the moral and ethical issues involved in debates
self-motivation, self-reliance and resilience
time management and the ability to meet deadlines.

Career options

15 months after graduating*

97% of our Earth science graduates are in work or further study

85% of Earth science graduates agree that their current activity is meaningful

88% of Earth science graduates in highly skilled work said their degree was a formal requirement or gave them an advantage

Many Earth science graduates enter professions directly related to their degree. Popular roles include exploration and production, water supply, environmental engineering and geological surveying. However, many other graduates will go into other areas that are related and include environmental planning and consultancy, sustainability hydrogeology, surveying and pollution control.

You could also apply the broader skills developed during your degree to many other opportunities: it is estimated that although graduate employers often specify a minimum degree classification as part of their shortlisting, approximately 70% of graduate employers do not specify that you must have studied a particular subject to work for them. However, graduate employers do highly prize skills such as strategic planning, resilience under pressure, creative problem-solving and commercial awareness which are some of the key skills you can develop during your course. Therefore, you could use your degree to access work in a multitude of sectors or industries.

It is also worth noting that over one third of geology graduates go onto postgraduate study.

*Data is from the Graduate Outcomes Surveys covering the three years of 2019/20 – 2021/22. Graduates were surveyed 15 months after graduating. Data displayed is for UK-domiciled, first degree, full-time graduates who are working, studying or looking for work.

Researching your career options

With such a wide range of careers open to you as an Earth science graduate, it is important to make sure you explore and research your options thoroughly so that you can make informed decisions about your future.

Take a look at the Prospects, TargetJobs and the Geologist Association websites for inspiration:

Where to find jobs

Gradcracker – Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths site for graduate jobs, internships and placements
Green Jobs
Environment Job
Earthworks
Rigzone
Glassdoor Jobs
UoP MyCareer
LinkedIn Jobs

Professional bodies

Attend our Geo Environmental Careers Fair in February where many employers are actively recruiting University of Plymouth graduates.

Employment opportunities

Below is a snapshot of what some of University of Plymouth Earth science graduates told us they were doing 15 months after graduation. For some graduates, these jobs serve as ‘stepping stones’ to professional posts by providing relevant workplace experience.

Assistant Geologist
Assistant Geotechnical Engineer
Assistant Manager
Assistant Project Manager / Geologist
Cancer MDT Coordinator
Contracts Support Officer
Data Analyst
Digital Data Officer
Geotechnical / Geoenvironmental Engineer
Engineering Geologist

Environmental Consultant
Environmental Technician
Exploration Geologist
Flood Risk Analyst
Geo Environmental Engineer
Geo-Environmental Consultant
Geo-Environmental Consultant Graduate
Geological Samples Radiography Technician
Geophysicist
Geotechnical and Environmental Engineer

Geotechnical Engineer
Geotechnical Laboratory Technician
Graduate Engineer
Graduate Geo-Engineer
Graduate Geo Environmental Engineer
Graduate Geologist
Graduate Geotechnical Engineer
Graduate Junior Technical Engineer
Graduate Trainee: Project Management and Controls
Graduate Water Scientist

Highway Technician
Junior Network Fibre Designer
Laboratory Technician
Procumbent Business Officer
Product Development
Risk Analyst
Wireline Engineer

Employers

JBA Consulting (Jeremy Benn Associates Ltd.)
AECOM
Applied Geology Ltd
Bridgeway Consulting Ltd
British Lithium
Card Geotechnical Limited (CGL)
Cormac
Cornish Lime Company
Cornwall Resources Limited
Dunelm Geotechnical and Environmental

Earth Environmental & Geotechnical Ltd (Southern)
Enverus
Environmentl Agency
Fairhurst
Fortescue Metals Group
Fugro
Geotechnical Engineering Ltd
Ground and Water
Ground Tech Consulting
JPP Geo, Technological and Environmental

Land and Minerals Consulting Ltd
Lepus Consulting Ltd
National Oceanography Centre
Omnia Environmental Consulting
Sellafield Ltd
Soil Technics Limited
Specialist Piling Solutions
Viridor

Things to consider when choosing a career or considering further study after studying an Earth science degree

Discover employment and postgraduate study opportunities that you could consider once you graduate with an Earth science degree and learn how you can stand out to employers.
We will help you to:

plan your career
build your networks with employers and former graduates
gain essential work experience during your course
attend career events
continually develop your skills and knowledge
get involved with relevant clubs and societies.

Interested? Visit the Careers Service for more information.

Geology graduates can pursue careers in environmental consulting, mining, geotechnical engineering, hydrogeology, petroleum geology ,academic research, government agencies, natural disaster management, environmental law, and education. These fields offer diverse roles in both fieldwork and office-based positions.

Further study

Some of the careers chosen by Earth science graduates will require or benefit from further study, so this should be considered carefully. The University of Plymouth offers the following postgraduate study options related to Earth science:

You should consider the financial implications of further study as well as selecting a programme that suits your interests, learning style and future career direction. The following websites are a good starting point for exploring postgraduate options, but you may also benefit from talking to a careers consultant about your particular situation.

Some useful websites to help you find a suitable postgraduate programme:

It is also worth investigating what

further study options the University has to offer

as you may find the perfect course for yourself in an institution you already know. There are also sometimes financial benefits of staying on such as a fee discount to alumni –

find out your funding options

Careers Service support

Accessing support from the Careers Service couldn’t be easier, come along to the Careers Service Helpdesk in the

Student Hub

or access our

24/7 online resources

There is a wide range of support available from skills workshops to events, placements and internships advice, 1-2-1 appointments and help getting started with LinkedIn.

Our bite-sized Skills Workshops can give your career the boost it needs. Choose from a range of topics:

effective career planning
job hunting techniques
finding part-time work
CVs and interviews
mastering LinkedIn
and more.

Workshops are delivered by the Careers Service; however, they are also an opportunity to learn from your peers, share experiences and ask questions. Visit myCareer to see the full range of activities and to book your place.

Connect with graduates

Build your network and job sector knowledge using LinkedIn’s alumni tool. This will allow you to see the career journeys of graduates from your programme, the qualifications they completed, the skills they developed and employers they worked for. You can then ‘connect’ with people of interest.

search LinkedIn for ‘University of Plymouth’
select ‘Alumni’
filter the results by subject, sector, company or location.

For more information about the alumni tool select the LinkedIn alumni tool guide. If you are looking for help to set up or learn how to make the most out of your LinkedIn profile, select the LinkedIn guide for students or

come to one of our workshops

Other advice and guidance

Gain work experience

Undertaking work experience in your first and second years will help you stand out from the crowd when the time comes for you to complete applications for graduate employment and further study. Work experience develops valuable skills and qualities that employers are looking for and is essential for many roles. It can also help you to confirm or rule out particular career choices. Furthermore, experience in the workplace can bring you into contact with people who may be able to assist you at the beginning of your career.

You have plenty of options open to you. You could apply for a placement year, work part-time around your studies, undertake volunteering or approach organisations directly to negotiate short periods of work experience. Some organisations offer paid internships over the summer or of one year’s duration.

The University of Plymouth Students’ Union also offers a wide range of volunteering opportunities.

Clubs and societies

Engaging in a sport or society shows employers you are engaged and seek out opportunities, it also helps you improve your teamwork, communication and negotiation skills. Committee members develop leadership, diplomacy and organisational skills and will gain experience of meetings, handling funds, and society promotion

You may choose to join a society that is specifically linked to geology such as the Geology Society, or take the opportunity to explore the huge range of clubs, societies and sports, all of which can help you to broaden your horizons and explore new interests.

Tutor and academic support

Your tutor and other academic staff are an excellent source of support for your career development. They will have experience and contacts across industry and academia, so do approach them for advice and insights into careers you are considering. Your tutor will ultimately be writing references for your employment or further study applications, therefore establishing a positive relationship with this person is invaluable.