Antony Benham BSc Geology, 1996

Economic Geologist, British Geological Survey, Nottingham

I chose to study at Southampton because of its excellent reputation for my chosen degree course and also because I knew a few other people at the University who had told me how much they were enjoying their time there.

I place a lot of my success down to the excellent teaching at Southampton and I am very pleased that I chose to go there; it was definitely the right choice for me!

I was very impressed with the standard of teaching on the course and that all the lecturers were friendly and approachable and keen to help out in any way they could. The degree was well structured from the basic fundamentals of geology up to more challenging courses in later years, and there were many options of courses to choose depending on personal interests. A big part of geology is obviously the fieldwork, and Southampton provided many opportunities to get out into the field. Typical locations for fieldwork include North Yorkshire, southwest Wales, the south coast of England, the Pyrenees, Brittany, and even parts of Africa! I chose to do my third year mapping dissertation based on a gold mine in Zimbabwe, but for those who preferred something different there were opportunities to do lab-based activities such as using scanning electron microscopes and analysing fluid inclusions within crystals.

Southampton has a lot going for it as a city as well. There are many pubs and clubs in town, and as a location for water sports it really can't be beaten! The New Forest is also within easy reach and it provides a welcome outlet for getting out into the country and away from the city for a weekend. Whatever your social interests are, there will probably be a club for you to join and meet other like-minded people!

After graduating from Southampton I was recruited to work as a mining and exploration geologist in South Africa where I stayed for two years. I returned to do a MSc and then worked in Hong Kong before starting my current job as an economic geologist at the British Geological Survey in Nottingham.