CAREERS EDUCATION & PLACEMENT CENTRE

Career Planning Talk for Geography studentsDate : 17 November, 2000 (Fri)Time : 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.Venue : T7, Meng Wah Complex CAREERS EDUCATION & PLACEMENT CENTRE

Careers Education and Placement Centre Ms Emily Wong Manager E-mail: eypwong@hkucc.hku.hk Web: http://www.hku.hk/cepc

Objectives of this talk I. What you should gain from your course of study II. The occupations that are open to Geography graduates III. The actual occupations that graduates from the previous year entered IV. How to locate information onjob content skills, required by specific occupations V. How to locate employment opportunities VI. How to locate resources on resume writing and selection interviews VII. How to use the CDT

I(a). Your Degree in Geography ….What Next? (General Information) (a) What skills have you gained in your course? (b) Jobs directly related to your degree (c) Occupations where a Geography degree would be useful (d) Careers open to all graduates (e) Who employs Geography graduates? (f) Further Studies -------------------------------------------------------------------- Where to find the above information? • Career Development Track

I(b) What skills have you gained in this course? • Data Gathering Skills • Information Retrieval • Assess & Interpret statistical information • Systems Theory & Analysis • Computer Application in Geography and Geology • Numerical Skills • Effective verbal and written communication skills, e.g. report writing • Problem-solving Skills

II(a) Jobs Directly Related to your Degree 1. Cartographer collects, combines and displays cartographic information in the form of maps 2. Geographical Information System Manager integrates spatial data from many different sources into a topographical framework 3. Transport/ Logistic Manager responsible for the efficient, punctual and safe operation of passenger or freight services and schedules to the travelling public

II(a) Jobs Directly Related to your Degree 4. Geologists Exploration Geologist locates and proves the existence of oil, gas, minerals and water reserves estimates the extent, and quality of the find Well-Site Geologist supervises the logging of an oil or gas well co-ordinates the collection and interpretation of well data

II(a) Jobs Directly Related to your Degree 4. Geologists (con’t) Mine Geologist Advises the management of the mine on all geological aspects of development and production Environmental Geologist investigates and monitors of environmental issues, e.g. coastal erosion

II(a) Jobs Directly Related to your Degree 5. Loggers Mud Logger prepares and analyses rock cuttings from well hole bottom and monitors drilling parameters including mud weight, drill penetration and gases Wire-Line Logger Manages the task of wire logging which produces logs determining the formation, depth, porosity, thickness, and predicts the hydrocarbon content of the reservoir

II(a) Jobs Directly Related to your Degree 6. Assistant Geotechnical Engineer assists in work of Geotechnical Engineer Geotechnical Engineer plans and collates data from site investigations undertakes feasibility and constraints studies for proposed developments provides geotechnical input to the planning stage of development and liaising with Engineers in the preparation of reports checks housing estates sites with regard to slope stability and safety

II(a) Jobs Directly Related to your Degree 6. Assistant Geotechnical Engineer (con’t) co-ordinates with other Government departments in land use planning and site formation works undertakes land slide studies oversees annual geotechnical inspection of slopes by consultants manages geotechnical advisory consultants Employer: Housing Department Pay Scale: MPS Pts. 19-27 ($24,320~$35,285)

II(b) Occupations where a Geography degree would be useful 1.Teacher, Secondary School (Arts/Humanities) plans, prepares and delivers lessons to classes devises and writes new materials researches new topics assesses and recording pupil’s progress, both orally and by setting and marking coursework and examinations participates in meetings, parent’s evening, and extra-curricular activities undertakes pastoral and supervisory duties

II(b) Occupations where a Geography degree would be useful 2. Assistant Curator II deploys on conducting research projects produces catalogues and museum publications deals with acquisition, registration and interpretation of exhibits assists in the production of exhibitions, sky-shows and museums extension activities carries out archaeological and/ or local history field projects

II(b) Occupations where a Geography degree would be useful 2. Assistant Curator II (con’t) assists in the preservation, restoration and conservation of artifacts for display purpose Employer: Regional Services/ Urban Services Department Pay Scale: MPS Pts. 16-27 ($21,010~$35,285)

II(b) Occupations where a Geography degree would be useful 3. Environmental Impact Consultant prepares studies of issues affecting the environment on behalf of industries, voluntary bodies or pressure groups 4. Nature Conservation Officer protects, manages and enhances wildlife habitats through biological surveys, and initiates and manages practical conservation

II(b) Occupations where a Geography degree would be useful 5. Tourist Development Manager develops and promotes a quality tourism product to attract visitors to a country 6. Waste Disposal Manager manages a landfill site organizes household waste collection systems implements methods of toxic waste disposal

II(b) Occupations where a Geography degree would be useful 7. Editor (assistant) supports editorial staff in all activities writes articles and reports amends articles corrects manuscripts summarizes written material organizes and researches projects to tight deadlines uses computers for word processing, desk top publishing & information networks helps out with all day to day editorial duties

II(c) Careers open to all graduates • Jobs with no specific requirements on degree subjects. • What is more important to the potential employer? • range of transferable skills • working experience

accountancy administration advertising banking journalism insurance tourism transport financial management information technology information management marketing personnel production management public relation publishing purchasing II(c) Careers open to all graduates (e.g.)

II(d) Who employs Geography graduates? • Oil companies and contractors • Mining and civil engineering companies • Consultancies • Waste disposal companies • Environmental bodies • Education authorities • HKSAR Government • Housing Dept.Assistant Geotechnical engineer • Regional Services/ Urban ServicesAssistant Curator

II(e) Further Studies • In 1999, about 30% (19 graduates) of Geography & Geology graduates proceeded to postgraduate studies. • As the possession of a higher qualification may in the field may not guarantee a better prospects, Geography Graduates usually entered a wide range of postgraduates courses and research, unrelated to their Degree. In 1999, 6 out of 19 PG are pursuing the Master program in Urban Planning/ Studies. • So...“Start your own planning right away!!”

III (a) Where did the 1999 Geography & Geology graduates go ? 1996 1997 1998 1999 Unemployed1.7% 2.1% 14% 4.7% Full-time employed88.1% 68.1% 56% 66% Further Studies8.5% 25.5% 29% 30%

III(b). Where did the Geography & Geology graduates go? (Specific Information)

III(c). How much did the 1999 HKU Geography & Geology graduates earn? Gross Income Mean $10,965 Minimum $7,000 Maximum $25,530 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Where to find the above information ? • Career Development Track

III(d). What do these occupations involve? 1. Management Trainee, Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd 2. Banking Trainee, HSBC 3. Associate Consultant, Bain & Co (Hong Kong) 4. Analyst in the Operation Department, Goldman Sachs (Asia) L L C ---------------------------------------------------------- Information on the other occupations can be found at“Career Development Track”

IV(a). What do employers expect from you? (a) Job comprehensiveness Typical extra-curricular activities Related occupations and training Career development and prospects Entry requirements (b) Personal qualities - core competencies Analytical reasoning Lateral thinking Communication skills Problem-solving Teamwork capabilities

IV(a). What do employers expect from you? (Cont’d) (c) Work experience Internships Summer jobs Part-time / temporary jobs Voluntary work --------------------------------------------------------------Where to find more detailed information ? • Career Development Track

IV(b). How to locate information on job content skills, required by specific occupations? • Career Development track & • Prospects Planner available on the CePc’s homepage • -- a computer-assisted careers guidance system • -- you can expect the results of the following: • 1.What you are good at • 2. What interests and motivates you • 3. How these relate to the world of work • 4. What different jobs involve • 5. Your chance of getting into these jobs • 6. How to make effective job application

V. How to locate employment opportunities? NETjobs Job sites - South China Morning Post http://www.classifiedpost.com.hk - Hong Kong iMail http://www.jobmarket-online.com/ - Job Asia (needs registration) http://www.jobasia.com/ - Career Times http://www.careertimes.com.hk NETmatch (application form available now!) Recruitment talks Vacancy notices / newspaper cuttings Creative job search and networking ------------------------------------------------------------------------ • Would you like to have a look at NETjobs and NETmatch? • When and where will recruitment talks be held? • Where to find out hidden employment opportunities and how to do networking? • Career Development Track

VI(a). How to locate resources on resume writing and selection interviews? (a) Written application - resume and cover letter (b) Various types of written tests (i) aptitude test - verbal, numerical, graphical (ii) essay writing (iii) task paper (iv) in-tray exercise (c) Selection interviews (i) one-to-one (ii) group (iii) presentation

VI(b). How to locate resources on resume writing and selection interviews? (Cont’d) (a ) CePc homepage (b ) Career Development Track (c ) Career websites hyperlinked to CePc’s homepage ------------------------------------------------------------------ How to develop your skills in the above areas? • Training sessions run by CePc • Written materials in Career Development Track

VI(c). How to use the CDT? Click, Click, Click !!!!!!!!!!!! http://www.hku.hk/cepc

Use CDT and Prospects Planner • to learn what you have gained from your course of study • to learn what occupations are open to graduates from your course of study • to learn what actual occupations that graduates from the previous year entered • to locate information on job content skills required by specific occupations • to locate employment opportunities • to locate resources on resume writing and selection interviews

ANSWERS QUESTIONS

CAREERS EDUCATION & PLACEMENT CENTRE