Applied & Environmental Geology BSc(Hons): After you graduate

"When Mount St Helens erupted in 1980 I was seven years old and totally fascinated by what could make a mountain explode! From then on my interest in all things geology related grew. Despite the fact that it was not taught at my school, I knew I wanted to study geology at university and I chose Kingston because of its location and the fact that it offered a straight geology degree.

"I thoroughly enjoyed the course from the minute it started. I was so pleased that geology was as interesting as I had hoped it would be. The field trips were among the highlights. Although the rain in NW Scotland wasn't such a highlight, we had loads of fun all the same. 

"The degree itself was good in that we had the opportunity to specialise and study subjects of particular interest in more detail. There were also some excellent lecturers who really kept you interested. Glyn Jenkins was one of my favourites – he took the Remote Sensing course in Level 3, which was brilliant.  As a result I went on to do a Remote Sensing Masters degree.

"Once I finished my Masters, I was determined to get a job that used both my degrees. It took a while but, after temping for a bit, I got a job at an oil and gas exploration company. I was working in the drawing office as a GIS (geographical information systems) operator and in constant contact with the geologists.  My knowledge of geology meant that I understood the maps they had drawn and could pick out areas where there may have been mistakes.

"After nearly three years, I spotted an advert for my ideal job – working at the British Geological Survey as a GIS analyst. To get the job it was necessary to have a Geology degree. I've worked here for five years now and still enjoy it.

"My work mainly involves developing customised applications to allow geologists to view and analyse their data. My degree means that I have a good understanding of what they require and recognise the terminology they use. 

"I am currently working on a system to allow geologists to take a tablet PC in the field with them and collect digital data rather than draw on a paper map. By contrast, last year I was in Uganda training staff from the Sudanese Landmine Response Initiative on how to use GIS to create maps on the locations of minefields. The variety of work that goes on at the BGS means there's lots of opportunity to do different things that interest me.

"If you've never actually studied geology before and are worried that going straight into a degree might be difficult – don't worry – go for it! At Kingston I chose to study a subject that really interested me and, as a result, I have ended up with a job I love."

"I took A-levels in physics and geography and saw geology as a way to fuse the subjects in which I had ability, pander to my liking for computing and technology and, of course, provide regular field trips to the great outdoors.

"I chose to study at Kingston because it had an excellent reputation within industry for producing graduates with rounded capabilities, plus the modular course design enabled me to specialise in my chosen subjects.

"The course was enjoyable and varied, but no easy ride. I remember studying for finals or preparing for a field trip while friends studying other subjects were partying or off on their holidays.

"One highlight of the course was the mapping project. It provided not only an exercise in fieldwork, but a set of life experiences that I still recount with friends and colleagues today.

"After finishing my BSc at Kingston, I went on to complete a MSc in Exploration Geophysics. The combination of these qualifications landed me a job with American oil company Amoco, based in West London. This turned out to be the stomping ground for many a Kingston Geology graduate. 

"I began work as a geophysicist exploring the North Sea for oil and gas accumulations. Within weeks I was making my first recommendation to purchase seismic data to the value of about £250,000. Now I'm making recommendations on a larger scale – exploration wells in the Gulf of Mexico typically costing in excess of $70 million.

"Amoco merged with BP to form what is now the largest publicly-listed oil and gas company in the world. This created an organisation in which adaptability and a broad background provided many opportunities and I was able to participate in the first exploration of acreage in the Faroe Islands. The regular travel, people interactions and technological challenges all made for an enticing experience in a remote Atlantic location.

"My most recent project has been with BP's deepwater exploration team in the Gulf of Mexico.  Moving from the geology of the North Sea to probably the most complex basin in the world provided another great opportunity.

"I'm now project manager for one of BP's licenses, offshore Sakhalin Island, which lies north of Japan and is part of the Russian Federation. It's a very delicate environment in which to work, with active seismicity (earth movements), raging Pacific storms, pack ice half the year and pristine natural surroundings to maintain and protect. But travel and new challenges are always high on my list for job satisfaction, so I suppose I'd better polish up my Russian language skills for the next year or two.

"My advice to other geology students is to enjoy all the aspects of the course, you never know which topic will turn into a career choice. There are a broad range of industries looking for geology graduates. Go for the ones that best suit your talents and your lifestyle. It's not everyone's idea of fun to be sitting on a drilling rig in the North Atlantic on a cold winter's night."