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Geography work experience?

Hey all.

Basically, want to study geography, but I want to get some kind of relevant experience in the area to write about in my personal statement. I guess work experience isn't really applicable since it's not really a vocational subject, but what sort of things did you guys all write about? Or was it all mostly places you'd visited for fieldwork? I'll be doing a field trip and a visit abroad before the time, so I can write about that, but I was unsure of what else might be helpful for my application.

Any help much appreciated. Cheers.

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Reply 1
go and volunter for your local wildlife trust in the summer holidays.
Its a good laugh and if you want to do anything in conservation work you will need your degree and 3 years of experience to boot so it helps to start early
Reply 2
Thanks, I'm looking into something along these lines now :smile:

Any more ideas people?
Reply 3
I said I like to go exploring lmao
Reply 4
Making tenuous links between extracurricular activities and your subject doesn't look good on your personal statement, so stop worrying about doing things that are 'relevant' and just do something you enjoy.
Reply 5
i helped out alot with the geo department at my 6th from with teaching younger kids etc so i just put that down really. If you have done anything similar that wouldnt do you any harm.
Reply 6
I spent some time with the environmental law section of a London law firm, and also did an ongoing workexperience placement at my local council planning offices. This was very lucky, as it actually came up in my interview what the planning issues in my area were!

Do something youll enjoy, not just for the sake of your personal statement. Geography is so diverse you dont have to do something like wading in rivers / voluntering to do help some outdoor environmental protection scheme or whatever to link it to geography.
Reply 7
I wrote press releases for my local 'paper about our school's recycling scheme. A bit random but showed I was into all that environmental stuff. But i agree with ClareR, you can link a hell of things to geography so don't worry too much about it. Although i guess if you're applying for a human geog course, wading in rivers wouldn't be your no.1 choice!
Reply 8
Fields
Making tenuous links between extracurricular activities and your subject doesn't look good on your personal statement, so stop worrying about doing things that are 'relevant' and just do something you enjoy.


Actually it does in some cases.

If you can say that you have loads of experience in conservation work (if thats the area you are going for) then not only are you prepered for the course, it will also look good on your aplication.
Reply 9
Dude
Actually it does in some cases.

If you can say that you have loads of experience in conservation work (if thats the area you are going for) then not only are you prepered for the course, it will also look good on your aplication.

I've no doubt it looks good, but it's the sort of thing that would look good for any subject. It probably won't do much, if anything, to 'prepare' you specifically for a geography degree. So I stand by my opinion that you should do things that you enjoy rather than thinking 'geography = the environment = conservation, **** I'd better get out there and do some conservation work!'
Local planning offices are a good start - especially as there is a nationwide shortage of planners.
Im doing Human Geo at aber...and on my PS i wrote about involement in fair trade projects....it worked....and seeing its part of my case study material as well, it helped in the A2 exam...
What if you want to do physical geography?
bingobangobongo
What if you want to do physical geography?


Zombie thread! But, anyway, physical geographers can get into the more environmental/natural side of things. There are the local authorities, charities etc that all deal with physical geography stuff.
Reply 14
Try the Environment Agency as well. :yep:
i know this thread is really old but i'm really stuck there's like nothing in my area!!
Reply 16
I'm volunteering at the Lake District national park! I'm so happy, I'm working in the Environment and heritage sector too!

Sadly, it's my last week next week due to exams but i'm going back in summer for their projects out. Do you have anything like that in your area?

There is also something called 'Geocashing' which I saw this little boy doing in Iceland and I asked my teacher, I think it's basically where you go out into the 'wilderness' and look for things other people taking part have hidden and you get point when you find it?

Something like that would show you like being outdoors and stuff? but im not certain. Just an option..?
For a Human Geography degree would maybe doing an airport work experience in travel and tourism be a good idea? I was looking at one at East Midlands airport.
Original post by emily_marshall
For a Human Geography degree would maybe doing an airport work experience in travel and tourism be a good idea? I was looking at one at East Midlands airport.


Definitely! You want to link it more to the idea of globalisation and international travel/tourism than the glamour of people jetting off on hot summer holidays though! Even just the skills you'd get from doing work experience like this would be valuable to add to your application too, good luck!
Original post by yemil
Thanks, I'm looking into something along these lines now :smile:

Any more ideas people?


Did it go well? I need some experience for geography too and want to know if it worked out for you

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