What if your job could take you anywhere in the world?

Living on a drill ship for six weeks at a time, working 12-hour shifts off the coast of South America – travel jobs aren't always what you'd expect. In this activity you'll hear from a geologist about the reality of a career that takes you everywhere.

This activity is designed to be flexible and can be used as follows:

  • During a lesson - 30 minutes. Students work in pairs and then share their reflections with the rest of the class.
  • During tutor time - 20 minutes. Students watch the video independently and then discuss one of the topics together.
  • As homework - Students watch the video on their own and complete the reflection at their own pace.

This activity supports the following frameworks:

  • Gatsby Benchmark 5
  • PSHE Association KS3 codes L11, L12
  • PSHE Association KS4 codes L7

1. Before you start

Take a moment to think about the following question:

  • If a job could take you anywhere in the world, where would you want to go - and what would you be willing to give up to get there?

If you're working with a partner or team, share and compare your thoughts before continuing.

2. Watch the video

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Andy Powell - Geologist

Andy is an offshore geologist based in Norwich. He works on drill ships and rigs off the coast of South America, Africa, and the North Sea - living on board for weeks at a time, working 12-hour shifts alongside marine crews, engineers, surveyors, and environmental scientists from all over the world.

While watching the video, listen for the following:

  • What does Andy's working life look like when he's offshore - how long is he away, and what are his days like?
  • How many different types of specialist does Andy work alongside on a single project?

3. Reflect and discuss

First, add a personal reflection based on the following:

  • What is one thing about Andy's working life that you found exciting - or that you wouldn't want to do?

Next, think about the following and discuss with your partner or group:

  • Andy works off the coast of Congo, Liberia, Mozambique, and Chile. What do you think it's like when your job gives you access to places and experiences most people never get? What would be exciting about that, and what would be challenging?
  • Andy lives on a ship for up to six weeks at a time, working 12-hour shifts - sometimes through the night. How is that different from most jobs you can think of? What kind of person do you think that working pattern suits?
  • Andy works with geologists, geotechnical engineers, surveyors, geophysicists, environmental scientists, and marine crew - all on the same project. What does that tell you about how complex projects get done? Could any one of those people do the job alone?