Preparing Geography, Earth and Environmental Science (GEES) Students for Employment in the Enterprise Culture

Abstract

Changing patterns of employment within the UK and elsewhere have led to a need for geography, earth and environmental science (GEES) graduates to be prepared for a ‘portfolio’ career. It is advantageous for GEES graduates to be able to identify and capitalize on entrepreneurial opportunities. This paper illustrates how one department has addressed this issue through the introduction of a module in ‘enterprise and employability’. The article outlines the pedagogic principles underpinning the module's design and implementation, and the impact it has had on the students' experience. Week Monday (workshop) Tuesday (workshop) 1 Module briefing Introducing employability Introducing enterprise • Job application and interview assignment • What is it? Why should you study it? Its context within your subject • Student motivations • Finding business ideas • Placement procedures • Business support networks Review Monday class • Business planning • Feasibility study assignment • Forming your groups 2 Visit to Science Innovation Centre for talk on intellectual property and insight into the Centre's activities and GIS‐based business activities Review Monday visit Graduate destinations and skills review 3 • Innovation and technology transfer Careers convention • Marketing • Group work on project plans 4 • Operations Review Monday class • People CVs and applications • Finance • Group work on feasibility study 5 Review of Personal Enterprise Group work on feasibility study Interview techniques 6 Feasibility study presentations Assessed interviews start