Ocean and Earth Science alumni are going places

One of the most important issues our students face is their future employability, and the University places a strong priority on preparing our students for “life after graduation.” We also recognise that our alumni offer a wealth of experience, which leaves them well placed to offer invaluable advice to the next generation of Southampton graduates.

Over the summer months of 2011 the University welcomed our first Alumni Intern, Lawrie Cowley (MSci Geology, 2011), to spearhead a survey to understand the career destinations of our Ocean and Earth Science graduates. The internship was funded by the Office of Development and Alumni Relations, Career Destinations and Ocean and Earth Science.

The survey was aimed at refreshing our Ocean and Earth Science alumni database. The survey results will help us better understand the career paths of our graduates and how they would like to engage with us. Most importantly, we will now be able to promote the employability of our graduates much more effectively to prospective students, parents and employers.

We extend our sincere thanks to all of our alumni who took the time to complete the survey - the results have been fantastic!

Did you know?

• Our alumni are highly employable. Of those who responded, 63% of graduates were employed within six months with another 30% going on to further study. This meets, and in some degree fields exceeds, University averages.
• Our alumni perform well in terms of the average salaries they receive. For example, for undergraduates of the past 10 years, 63% earn over £25,000 a year and 16% earn over £55,000 a year. Current and prospective students should be reassured that a degree from the University is worth the investment of time and resources they impart.
• Our alumni would like to get involved and further engage with the University. Over 50% of those who responded would like to attend class reunions with a similar amount agreeing to provide alumni profiles.
• Our alumni would like to come back and help current students, from attending the annual alumni careers event, to giving careers talks and even providing industry placements for students. All of these types of engagement will increase services to our students and help to cement our growing relations with important industry sectors.
• The survey also helped us to identify both known and new industries that employ our graduates which will help us with curriculum development and employer engagement. The survey highlighted the growth and importance in engineering, teaching and finance-based roles for our graduates and confirmed the importance of sectors such as: oil and gas, mineral resources, environmental, nature conservation, surveying and research. This information will be used in planning for the next annual alumni careers event, making it larger and more representative than ever.

We thank you, our alumni, for taking the time to tell us how you are doing and for helping us to stay connected with you. The Southampton alumni community creates a dynamic space for alumni within the University and provides endless opportunities for alumni, students and the University as a whole to find and build their places in a global community.

Our alumni are an influential force in advancing the University’s wider impact on society and in helping us to better serve our current and future students.

Thank you again!