SCHOOL OF JUSTICE STUDIES CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES

A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCES, INSIGHT & SUPPORT

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SCHOOL OF JUSTICE STUDIES

CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY

CASE STUDIES

Read student and graduate case studies from the School of Justice Studies

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CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

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CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES

CRIMINOLOGY GRADUATE CASE STUDY MARTHA NEWALL IS A CRIMINOLOGY AND PSYCHOLOGY GRADUATE WHO IS NOW ON THE NATIONAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME AT GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE What does your graduate scheme involve?

The Police Now programme will enable me to make a disproportionately positive impact on the lives of many people. Over the two years I will develop leadership and problem-solving skills to help maximise that impact. I am yet to start my role, but I hope to be a leader in my community, as a police officer in a specific area right from the start. I will develop skills in negotiation, problem solving, decisionmaking as well as resilience and emotional intelligence – all invaluable skills in policing and all transferable to any profession.

I volunteered for two organisations and this was important for me as I used the skills I have gained while volunteering to be successful within the recruitment process. It also allowed me to give good examples of transferrable skills that were different from those I have gained at university.

Why did you decide to apply for a graduate scheme?

I wanted a varied role that would be challenging and enable me to use the skills I had built up during university as well as through my work experience. This role also related to my degree and suited my personality. I will develop as a person on the programme as well as making a difference to others and the community.

What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability?

Work experience is vital, so it is important to use the summer of your second year to find out what you like to do and if you are good at using these skills. This shows you to be proactive as well as developing your confidence and skills as a person, which is reflected when you go forward to the interview process.

Three things you like about your job: ❙❙ Variety ❙❙ Challenges ❙❙ Making a difference What did the application / selection process involve and how did you prepare for each stage?

The recruitment process was quite intensive and began with an application form and online testing. Following this was an interactive video interview that required me to imagine I was in the role and to think on my feet. After this, I attended a full-day assessment centre in London which consisted of three activities: Role - play, virtual reality assessment and a one-to-one strengths-based interview. After that, I attended fitness tests, medical tests, vetting procedures and induction days.

What help and support did you access in the Careers Zones?

I accessed a lot of support through the Careers Zones. The Student Futures team helped me to write a CV that stood out from the crowd as well as talked me through the skills required in a strengths-based interview, as I had not done one of these before. In addition to this, I used the online resources to practise the online tests and read up about how to succeed in an assessment centre.

What relevant work experience / skills / volunteering / Student Union activities did you use during the selection process?

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Would you do anything differently if you were a first-year student again?

I would seek advice from the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team earlier, although I had support from them in third year, I would give myself more opportunities to get relevant work experience during my time off from university.

What aspects of your degree were particularly useful in the selection process?

The theoretical basis of Criminology was obviously important to talk about within the Police but presenting at an academic conference helped me to work successfully in a team and present something that I was proud of from this activity. The year-long Psychology dissertation has also enabled me to take a project from the start right through to the end and running a lab experiment has given me the skills to interact with a range of people and again be proud of what I have achieved.

Any other advice you would give to students about their employability?

Do things that make you stand out, even hobbies can give you something interesting to talk about in an interview or assessment centre, and make employers remember you for the right reasons. Work experience is invaluable and take advantage of the services that the university has to offer. They are there to be utilised and without them I would not be where I am today.

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CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES

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GRADUATE CASE STUDY AMIT PATEL GRADUATED WITH A BA (HONS) IN CRIMINOLOGY, HE IS NOW A POLICE OFFICER FOR NORTH WALES POLICE What does your current job involve?

Attending 999 calls as well as 101 calls where members of the public have rang the police and requested assistance or wish to report a crime. The job involves physical and verbal conflict, effective communication, working all hours but also getting to directly make your community a better place and helping change people’s lives for the better.

How did you get to where you are today?

I became a special constable with Cheshire Police before doing a degree in Criminology with LJMU. After that I became a youth support worker where I would help younger people who may have left school early or not worked before to find work. After my degree I then became a police officer with North Wales Police.

Three things you like about your job: ❙❙ It constantly pushes you to try different things and do better with training, courses, secondments, and career plans. ❙❙ It is not a 9 – 5, Monday to Friday kind of job where you are sat behind a desk. You work all hours. ❙❙ Anything can happen at any time. No two days are the same and some of the experiences I’ve had have been incredible.

What skills are important in your job? Did your degree help you?

Being able to prioritise workloads is important in the police. You deal with multiple investigations at the same time whilst keeping and ear out for the radio for calls coming in. I learnt how to prioritise through

university and managing revision and assignment deadlines.

Effective communication is also very important and LJMU helped with this also when I did presentations. Researching also comes in handy as when I investigate, I sometimes have to do some research into things I don’t know about.

What work experience / volunteering did you do to help you get to where you are today?

I was a volunteer with the Cheshire police for 4 years as a special constable. As a special, you get the exact same uniform and powers as a police officer. You also attend the same jobs and do the same things the officers do, I got invaluable experience which helped me prepare for my career as a police officer.

What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability?

I would encourage them to do as much volunteer work as possible and to try and not leave any large gaps on their CV when it comes to employment. Always have a job as it shows a good work ethic, gives you great experience and you can prove things like good attendance, communication and managing workloads skills.

GRADUATE CASE STUDY JODIE CHONG GRADUATED WITH A FIRST CLASS HONOURS DEGREE IN CRIMINOLOGY AND PSYCHOLOGY IN 2020 AND THEN WENT ON TO STUDY FOR A MASTERS IN FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER. What does your current job involve?

I currently work as a mental health support worker for Cygnet Health Hospital. I work with individuals from the community or from a forensic background, such as the prison service, and support them to overcome and manage their mental health issues. Many of the service users I work with have a range of mental health disorders such as borderline personality disorder or schizophrenia. It is vital that I know how to communicate with each patient and understand the rules and regulations of safeguarding. I get support service users in different environments and my day-to-day job is never the same. Getting this role required some relevant experience, this is perfect for me as I am starting my career and it is allowing me to build up vital experience.

My job incorporates the knowledge I have gained from both my undergraduate and postgraduate studies. For example, the knowledge of psychological theory, the understanding of the criminal justice system and the complexity of mental health and mental disorders.

What skills are important in your job?

Communication and team working skills are key. It is important to understand the skills you develop at university and are able to put it them into practise. During my time at LJMU, I was always involved with group activities and group assignments and I understood the value and importance of working within a team setting. Many psychology and criminology roles require teamwork experience, as a main responsibility for these roles is to work with multidisciplinary

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teams to achieve goals. For example working as an assistant psychologist or working as a restorative practitioner and liaising with victims of crime and the probation service.

What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability?

When I first started my degree, I was extremely shy. However, with the support of tutors and my peers, I saw how important it was to take risks and to put yourself out there. I knew I wanted to be involved with the criminal justice system and the community and I love working with people and my degree and the voluntary work I completed at Liverpool Women’s Hospital reinforced this for me.

If you are unsure what career you want to follow that’s fine, this course allows you to explore different parts of criminology and psychology to help you make your decision. When I started my degree, I had never heard of forensic psychology but fast forward 4 years and I now have a forensic psychology masters and work in a forensic psychology setting.

Get involved at university, build up experiences and set up a LinkedIn profile. It is an excellent way to start networking with potential employers and to highlight your skills.

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CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES

GRADUATE CASE STUDY SONIA VORA IS A CRIMINOLOGY GRADUATE WHO NOW WORKS AS A HOMICIDE SUPPORT INVESTIGATOR FOR MERSEYSIDE POLICE I have recently started work for Merseyside Police as a Homicide Support Investigator. My duties include gathering evidence from forensic investigators and analysing reports to establish questions that will be asked during interrogation. I then have to interview the victim's family, witnesses and potential suspects. I then draw up reports and sometimes will be asked to present supporting evidence in court.

The criminology degree helped me as it gave me insights into different issues within the criminal justice system. In my interview, I particularly spoke about the International Fieldwork module that I undertook in level 6, as it involved interviewing, group work, researching and writing reports (which is basically what I do in my job). I was able to use my experience in Slovenia as examples of the different skills I undertook, and mentioned that this module happened to be one that I achieved a very good mark in.

Alongside my work experience as a drug and alcohol rehabilitation support worker working alongside police, and doing this degree, I gained a lot of relevant experience for my future career, and had a lot of fun whilst at university.

I plan on staying in the police for a few years, undertaking a Masters in Forensic Investigation, before progressing within my career as a forensic investigator in the Homicide Unit of the Greater Manchester Police.

GRADUATE CASE STUDY SACHA OGOSI GRADUATED WITH A BA (HONS) IN CRIMINOLOGY AND PSYCHOLOGY FROM LJMU AND IS NOW COMPLETING A MASTERS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AT NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY Why did you choose to study Psychology and Criminology at LJMU? In LJMU there were a large range of modules to choose from. Being able to guide my own academic journey was really important as it would define my future career path. I had also seen before I applied that LJMU had a number of careers events that were specifically for psychology or criminology students which I found interesting.

How did you make the most of student life at LJMU? During my time at LJMU I took advantage of every opportunity offered to me. I was part of a number of societies, travelled abroad with the university, took part in campaigns and events, internships and student jobs. I truly feel that if I had not gone to LJMU I would not be where I am today.

What are your passions and how did they influence your desired career path?

I love helping people, adventure and meeting individuals from cultures that are different to mine. That has influenced me to strive for a career in anything related to humanitarian aid/development/ intervention or international relations/diplomacy.

How did you work out what you wanted to do after you graduated?

In university I was very proactive in trying different things and meeting a variety of people to hear about their experiences. Prior to university I thought I wanted to work in a role regarding international crime/ intelligence. However, my experience in LJMU led me to want a career where I focus on making positive direct impact rather than focusing on the darkness that is international crime.

What is your job title and/or further study details, and where do you work?

Public Affairs Officer for The Inclusion Initiative at The London School of Economics and Political Science For my masters I did an MA in International Relations at Newcastle University What was the application process life for your current role?

My application process for my current role involved filling out an application form detailing my personal information, educational history, previous work experience, references, cover letter, hobbies and EDI information.

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Following this round, I had to send a pitch video for a prospective partner as well as an email in which I would send to the partner.

Finally, I had to take part in a 45-minute interview regarding the role.

What skills and mind-set traits are important for your day-to-day role?

Communication, teamwork and motivation, analysis and research, service delivery, initiative and problem solving, networking and liaison and flexibility.

For my role having a mindset of growth is important as the industry I work with is every changing.

Did you face any challenges as a student and what support did you access?

There was a stage where I struggled to decide what I wanted to do post university but the LJMU Student Futures Team was very helpful in giving me different options and possible paths.

What support did you receive from the Careers, Employability and Start-Up team? ❙❙ CV writing ❙❙ Cover letter writing ❙❙ Personal Statement writing ❙❙ Interview practice ❙❙ Advice on getting a job Reflecting on your time at university, what advice would you give to your first year self?

Life is not a straight line, stop expecting things to always work out or happen the same way for everyone. Just take each day one step at a time and take every opportunity that comes your way.

And what advice would you give to our incoming level 4 students?

Make sure you check your emails and apply for everything. University is the time you expand your horizons and try new things. Do not stand in your own way! Branch out. www.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures

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GRADUATE CASE STUDY FAYE SPENCER GRADUATED WITH A BA (HONS) IN CRIMINOLOGY AND PSYCHOLOGY AND NOW WORKS FOR NORTH WALES POLICE Why did you decide to apply for this role?

I always knew that I wanted to join the police after finishing my degree, so I applied to become a special constable. This experience gave me a great insight into the role and if it was suitable for me. I was a special for three years whilst working and gaining experience in numerous admin roles within North Wales Police and also a role as a Business Crime Support Officer with Chester Against Business Crime, before successfully gaining my current position as a police constable for North Wales Police.

What did the application and selection process involve?

The first stage was the initial paper application, which included questions about my experiences, how they related to the police competencies, why I wanted to become a police officer, what I could bring to the role and why I chose North Wales Police. My special constable training helped to prepare me for this stage as well as my university studies and speaking to serving officers, who had previously been through the process. The following police assessment centre involved an interview, role plays, written exercises, numerical and verbal reasoning exercises. To prepare for the assessment centre, I completed numerous practice exercises as well as practice interviews. Finally there was a structured interview at North Wales Police HQ, which was followed by a Welsh test. To prepare for this, I used the NWP website to familiarise myself with their standards and values and again spoke to a number of serving police officers. The final stage included a fitness and medical assessment. The entire process for North Wales Police took about 12 months from application to starting as PC. It is a long process but very rewarding and you are kept well-informed along the way – nothing beats that moment when you open the letter accepting you into your dream job.

What relevant work experience did you discuss during the application process?

A lot of my examples came from my volunteer work as a special constable,

which allowed me to experience the role of a police constable.

This gave me a great insight into the police as no shift was ever the same. I had a variety of experiences from employment and academia such as group work, which helped support the police competency of working with others.

What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability?

Try and gain as much work and life experience as you can. If there are any volunteering opportunities available, snap them up as they become great examples to use during interviews, and it shows that you’re motivated and passionate. Don’t be afraid to fail! If there’s a job you really want, go for it and if you don’t get it the first time, keep trying. It took me two applications to get into the police. Looking back I know that getting in second time round was right for me. I’ve been able to do things in my life I never would have done otherwise, and I’m now very proud to be a member of the North Wales Police Constabulary.

Would you do anything differently if you were a first-year student again?

If I were a first-year student again, I would try to gain more work experience during my degree. I only completed one week of work experience with a youth justice team. I thoroughly enjoyed this and it would have been great to experience other roles which related to my degree. Also, I would definitely make more use of the Student Futures Team’s support, in particular with regards to interview help, as this was the area I was least confident in when applying for jobs.

POSTGRADUATE CASE STUDY PAUL DOKE IS A CRIMINOLOGY AND PSYCHOLOGY GRADUATE WHO HAS RECENTLY COMPLETED AN MA IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE Why did you decide to apply for your postgraduate course?

I decided to apply for postgraduate study because I enjoyed my academic experience on my undergraduate course. I really felt that an MA would be beneficial to my own personal growth and effectiveness in the workplace environment, whilst inspiring me to continue pushing the boundaries of what I am able to achieve academically.

What did the application process involve for the programme?

This required me to go online on the LJMU website and search for the programme that interested me and formally follow the step-bystep directions, which asked me to compile a 1000 word personal statement in order to sell myself through self-evaluation. I was also required to attain references from my undergraduate tutors.

What help and support did you access in the Careers Zones?

Throughout my academic journey, I have consistently utilised the Careers Zone and have never had any problem asking for help, support and guidance. This is potentially one of the most beneficial services on offer within LJMU, specifically designed to alleviate the cognitive dissonance experienced by students. They are always open and available to intervene, and are really flexible in their student-centred approach by tailoring any support needs around your timetable.

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How have you benefited from previous work experience?

During my studies, I have been working as a support worker within a high-risk offender management service. This role is still in effect now alongside my postgraduate programme of study.

Would you do anything differently in terms of career planning if you were a first-year undergraduate student again?

I think that my career journey somewhat just fell into place, without any effort or me planning for it to be that way. However, if given the opportunity again I would probably approach it in the same way.

What are you your plans after finishing your postgraduate programme ?

I think I would like extend my academic journey upon completion of my MA, and progress onto a PhD programme.

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CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES

GRADUATE CASE STUDY MAYA DESHPANDE IS A CRIMINOLOGY AND PSYCHOLOGY GRADUATE WHO NOW WORKS AS AN ACCOMMODATION OFFICER FOR LJMU. What will your job involve?

My job involves discussing accommodation options with applicants, processing accommodation applications and emails and supporting new students in their first year at university.

Three things you like about your job: I love working and chatting with people, so I love working open days and working with students. Choosing and starting university can be a stressful experience, and I love that the support I can give can help alleviate the stress that students and parents may be feeling.

What did the application / selection process involve and how did you prepare for each stage?

The application process involved a written application including a personal statement and an interview. I visited the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team to help me brainstorm what points would be important for the application and discuss my previous work experience. For the interview, I searched for common interview questions, particularly those that would be applicable to the job and wrote practice answers for each so that I would have ideas in my head and prevent my mind going blank when I was face-to-face with the interviewers.

What help and support did you access in the Careers Zones or from the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team?

The Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team were excellent for discussing the relevant points in my previous work experience and reviewing my CV, which gave me confidence that my CV and application were the best I could make them.

What relevant work experience / skills / volunteering / Student Union activities did you use during the selection process?

The most important experience that helped me get my job involved the work experience I gained at university. I worked as a Residential Assistant and Student Advocate that gave me knowledge of how the university worked in many different areas, as well as unique skills that were directly

relevant to the job, making me the most knowledgeable candidate.

What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability?

Try and get work experience or volunteering opportunities early, as the further through university you get the harder it is to find the time.

If you have an idea of an organisation or sector, you want to work in, try to get experience and knowledge in that area as it shows genuine interest in that career area.

Would you do anything differently if you were a first-year student again?

Honestly, I am delighted that I worked as a Student Advocate role in my first year and started my career planning early. If I could go back, I would try not to stress about getting a job after university too much. As long as you are making small steps, you are making progress.

What aspects of your degree were particularly useful in the selection process?

The most important skills I developed from my course were my written communication, time management and multitasking skills. As my job involves various roles it is important that I am aware of what needs done and can bounce between different tasks. My written communication skills are important in providing accurate and concise information in order to answer a large volume of emails in a short amount of time.

What advice would you give to students starting a degree now about how to succeed with an economic downturn potentially on the horizon?

Try and get work experience sooner rather than later, it will ease the stress of feeling inexperienced closer to graduation and show that you are actively engaging with the opportunities you have. Universities offer so much more than a degree, involvement in societies and experiences are just as important as the grade you achieve!

GET A 20% DISCOUNT OFF YOUR LJMU POSTGRADUATE COURSE Whether you are looking to specialise, change direction, enhance your earning potential or boost your employability, staying at LJMU for postgraduate study is a great investment in your future success, with increased earnings of up to 18% for postgraduates compared to graduates.

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To discover more, call 0151 231 5090, or go to:

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POLICING STUDIES

GRADUATE CASE STUDY KEVIN MOONEY GRADUATED WITH A POLICING STUDIES DEGREE AND NOW WORKS AS A POLICE CONSTABLE FOR DURHAM CONSTABULARY What does your job involve?

Police as a Special, as well as taking a more academic approach to how policing works, how it works well and how strategies work in this profession.

Three things you like about your job:

What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability?

Responding to emergencies in the local area, further afield in Durham, helping the most vulnerable in society, and serving the community.

It is my dream job as no two days are the same, I enjoying helping others and providing an important role in society. The satisfaction after dealing with a tough job where you are able to resolve a dangerous/volatile/life threatening situation is like nothing else I have experienced.

What did the application / selection process involve and how did you prepare for each stage?

Initial application form (including written examination), sifting, Search Assessment Centre (National College of Policing assessment), final interview, vetting, fitness and medical examinations.

Nick Kealey from the LCAPS team was able to look over my application draft and give me some very useful pointers as well as heaps of motivation and encouragement. I knew that throughout the recruitment process that many members of the LCAPS team were there to support me.

What relevant work experience/volunteering activities did you use during the selection process?

Whilst studying at LJMU I joined Merseyside Police as a Special Constable (a voluntary role within the force). Again, the team of lecturers supported me through the initial application in 2016. During my time in this position, I was able to become fully qualified and obtained qualified status. The volunteering alongside my studies were both pivotal in starting my career, as I was able to learn current procedures and protocols in Merseyside

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For students that are aiming to join the Police I could not recommend the Specials enough. But for any student on any course, my advice would simply be to get involved. Whether it be working part-time, volunteering, joining/running a sports team or club or building relationships with potential future colleagues. All of the above will help improve any CV and can help an individual standout in a recruitment process.

Would you do anything differently if you were a first-year student again?

Not really, I enjoyed first year, as I did the rest of my time in Liverpool. A good life balance is important. Being able to manage time effectively was crucial especially during exam time and around essay deadlines. However it is also as important that students enjoy their time at university. Liverpool is an amazing city with lots to offer, so get to know new people, try new things, push yourself and enjoy the whole experience.

What aspects of your degree were particularly useful in the selection process?

The knowledge and relevant experience the LCAPS team were able to share with me were invaluable; also the opportunity to perform research abroad (Slovenia) and extra lectures from chief police officers including Q&A sessions proved very useful to bring up in my own interviews and application.

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CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES

GRADUATE CASE STUDY LIZZIE ARCHIBALD GRADUATED IN 2019 WITH A BA (HONS) IN POLICING STUDIES AND SHE NOW WORKS FOR THE NCA AS A SERVICE DESK ANALYST. What does your current job involve?

My current role involves assisting all deployed and operational officers with over the phone support regarding all active deployments. I provide and grant access to all INAT radio channels with various police forces who work on interoperations with NCA. One of my more notable shifts I assisted with the operational support for the London Terrorist attacks committed by Usman Khan.

How did you get to where you are today?

I got to where I am by applying to jobs where I could see that my skills sets and talents lay. I asked my University Tutor to help review my applications and assist in making sure I followed the STAR method for all my applications.

I also know how important experience is for a lot of jobs so in my spare time I would volunteer for everything police related I could that was being offered with the university. Assisting with charity work, in school education and role acting positions for police training days. This helped to flesh out my CV and have examples ready for interviews.

Three things you like about your job: The three thing I really enjoy about my job are my colleagues, the fast-paced environment and the ability to a part of something that is so vital for protecting the public from serious and organised crime.

What skills are important in your job? Did your degree help you?

Oh Absolutely, my degree definitely helped me in getting to where

I am today. The policing studies staff and the degree itself helped me to build confidence in my work ethic and really helped me develop my wider knowledge base.

Being able to work at pace and with confidence in my job is key.

The officers I support deal with high risk deployments that involve protecting the public. A wrong decision or a delay in getting vital support to those officers could put them and the public at risk of harm. I always have to be sure that the support I am providing to them is right for each scenario.

What work experience / volunteering did you do to help you get to where you are today?

I have volunteered for some lovely organisations such as, The Emergency Service Training Centre (ESTC), Lea Green, and the Tender Charity.

What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability?

Get as much experience as you can whilst at university – volunteering, course rep, internships or whatever you are good at.

Most of these experiences are transferable and can be talked about on job applications and interviews alongside your degree.

GRADUATE CASE STUDY HOLLIE GEAL GRADUATE DIN 2020 WITH A BA (HONS) IN POLICING STUDIES AND FORENSICS. SHE IS NOW A POLICE CONSTABLE AT CHESHIRE CONSTABULARY. What does your current job involve?

My current role involves attending to 999 calls and ensuring everyone’s safety whilst I am there. Protecting and saving lives when attending high-risk incidents such as domestics or attending road traffic collisions where someone’s life is at risk.

I am required to work with other agencies including the ambulance, fire service and social services. I need to make arrests when required or finding other means to take positive action at incidents.

How did you get to where you are today?

I completed my degree at LJMU in Policing and Forensics obtaining a first class honours. Whilst at university, I joined Merseyside Police as a special to determine whether the job was for me and if I liked it – which did!

During the summer whilst at university I also went to Thailand/Bali to complete a few weeks volunteering with under-privileged children.

This involved completing a teaching course and teaching children in orphanages. I feel I developed even more skills and experiences by doing this and it shows employers that I was willing to go out of my comfort zone to help others. I also completed work experience with Staffordshire Police to gain an introductory insight into how they work compared to other forces.

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Three things that I like about my Job: ❙❙ In my current role I like that I get to meet new people within the force from different departments. For example, attending a job which involves detectives or public protection. That department then knows your name and it makes it easier for you to go back and ask for help next time. ❙❙ Every day is completely different. You can be attending a domestic incident, a fatal car crash or a missing person case where there is concern for someone’s safety. ❙❙ If I have been involved in any difficult or traumatic incidents your team and supervisors are there to support you. Supervisors are always texting you/emailing to ensure you are ok and put things in place if you feel like you are struggling.

What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability? ❙❙ Volunteer as much as you can as it gives you so many examples to talk about when you are being interviewed. ❙❙ Don’t shy away from things, put yourself out there and get yourself recognised. ❙❙ Have a good relationship with supervisors in your current roles to ensure that when you change careers they can pass on their good feedback about you. The same applies to you academic tutors too! ❙❙ Get involved at university, build up experiences and set up a LinkedIn profile. It is an excellent way to start networking with potential employers and to highlight your skills.

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GRADUATE CASE STUDY LIAM O'CONNELL IS A POLICING STUDIES GRADUATE WHO NOW WORKS AS A POLICE OFFICER FOR MERSEYSIDE POLICE What does your job involve?

I am currently on a two- year probation period as a Police Constable with Merseyside Police on Response and Resolution based in the Wirral answering calls to service and dealing with various incidents that occur.

Three things you like about your job: It is a job like no other. Every day is different, and you never know what you will be dealing with from one hour to the next. The team that I am currently working with are great and there is a lot of support given when it is required. You also make friends for life from the Academy as well as in operational roles. There is considerable variety in the role and many different opportunities in the force that you can consider during your career.

What did the application / selection process involve and how did you prepare for each stage?

The first stage for me was an initial application, where you answer competency-based questions to do with the core values of the Police Service, using my past experience in various other roles to show real-life examples of where I have lived up to the core values set out.

On being successful in the application, you are invited to a SEARCH Assessment day. This involves an interview; four role plays where you are given different scenarios to resolve; a maths and an English test which involves writing a statement based on information given to you; and a test where you are shown a video of an incident and you have to gather as much information as possible and put it into writing.

The third stage is a formal Interview. This lasts 30 to 40 minutes. The questions asked are similar to questions asked during the initial application. Some questions also delve into current affairs within policing and questions surrounding examples you can give where you have excelled in previous roles, such as working as a team, showing integrity and problem solving. This stage was the most daunting for me, I found it hard to build up the confidence and show the interview panel why I was suitable for this job, having failed an interview for the Special Constabulary in 2014. Receiving that email telling me I had been successful this time round was an amazing feeling.

On passing the formal interview, you are invited to give your Biometrics, which involves giving DNA samples and mouth swabs so that you can be ruled out of any forensic databases. A fitness test is also a part of the final stages which includes a bleep test and a push/ pull test. After this you are given a full medical and once your vetting is complete you are given a formal offer and a start date.

Initial Police Training is a 26-week course at Lea Green in St Helens which covers almost every aspect of the job, preparing you for going out on the streets and doing the job.

Nick Kealey and Sean Bell from LCAPS were a great help. Not being the most confident person in the world, they set up extremely helpful sessions during their own time to prepare me for the role plays during the SEARCH Assessment Centre and also mock interviews for the final interview. They really helped me to build up my confidence with their advice. I cannot thank them enough for the guidance they gave me to get to where I am today. If you are able to get advice for any application process through your lecturers and personal tutors then I highly recommend you speak to them.

What relevant work experience / skills / volunteering / Student Union activities did you use during the selection process?

As part of my degree, I joined Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service as a Volunteer Community Risk Advisor. The idea of taking on more work on top of my university studies and a paid job at the time was daunting at first, but I thoroughly enjoyed the work with MFRS and I even continued volunteering with MFRS after I graduated. It gave me great examples to refer to during my final interview and it looks good on your CV. If you can find something you enjoy doing, that’s a bonus.

What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability?

Volunteer with an organisation that interests you. Merseyside Police and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service both have volunteer roles that are great for making your CV stand out. With the job market being so competitive, it is essential that you do something to make yourself stand out from the crowd.

Any other advice you would give to students about their employability?

Work hard for something if you really want it and stay positive and determined. Leaving university for the world of work can be a difficult and daunting experience. Start looking for potential opportunities before you leave, as it's always best to hit the ground running. If you know what you want to do, then get looking; if you don't, and need some guidance, speak to your personal tutor. Do anything you can to stand out from the competition. Any selection process you go for, ensure that you’ve prepared well for it and researched the job and the organisation you are applying for.

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CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES

CRIMINAL JUSTICE GRADUATE CASE STUDY HANNAH CREIGHTON IS A CRIMINAL JUSTICE GRADUATE WHO NOWS WORKS AS AN AMBITION NAVIGATOR (LOW INTENSITY) FOR MERSEY CARE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST What does your job involve?

I manage a caseload of clients who are prescribed opiate substitute medication, which involves meeting with each client on a regular basis for key work sessions to discuss their substance misuse, prescribed medication, mental and physical health, as well as social issues. Alongside these regular appointments, I accompany each of my clients to a review with their doctor who prescribes their medication.

What did the application/selection process involve and how did you prepare for each stage?

Originally, I was employed by Lifeline, who had the contract to provide this service for the local authority at the time. After successfully completing an online application form, I was invited to attend a group activity and an interview. Before writing my application, I researched the company, including its visions, values and history, which alongside volunteering for the company helped to develop background knowledge around the role. This research also helped with preparing for my interview. In addition to this I attended a session with an employability adviser for advice on tailoring my application as well as interview preparation.

What help and support did you access in the Careers Zones?

During my second year, I had a couple of appointments with a careers adviser, who discussed and suggested areas I may like to work in, leaving me with information to conduct further research. While writing my first few job applications, I got support from the employability advisers, who taught me how to tailor my CV/job application to each specific job, and how to communicate my skills and past experience effectively.

“

What relevant work experience/ skills/volunteering did you use during the selection process?

I used the majority of my past experience and voluntary roles.

The most important of these for my current role was my voluntary experience, as I had volunteered for Lifeline for around 18 months.

Further to this, my other work experience with a wide variety of people within a range of settings was beneficial, showing that I could communicate effectively.

What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability?

Researching the field and narrowing down what sector you would like to work in early in your degree would be very beneficial, as this would then allow you to visit different organisations to help you further narrow your selection. Utilising the support from careers and employability advisers and events would also help with this process. My main piece of advice would be to volunteer!! Second to this would be to try and gain experience in a variety of settings.

Would you do anything differently if you were a first-year student again?

I would volunteer with a second organisation, which would have given me a wider basic understanding, i.e. community mental health services or probation.

“ “ “

The opportunity to discuss such an emotive subject with students, other professionals and peers was a fascinating and thought-provoking experience.

The students, as always, applied themselves well in debating a complex issue with some very interesting questions being asked on the role of faith groups in rehabilitation and the cost of imprisonment. I was pleased that the debate allowed for a wider discussion on sentencing and the criminal justice system and I hope the students found it as useful an experience as I did.

The event was a fantastic experience.

The delegates were responsive and attentive and produced thorough professional presentations. The day was a great opportunity for all criminal justice students, providing the opportunity to develop their skills and contribute to the criminal justice discourse.

Ben McCrorie, Special Projects Manager in the Chief Executive’s Office at Cheshire Probation

Dave Wood, Senior Probation Officer, Merseyside Probation

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GRADUATE CASE STUDY TAYLOR DOUGAN IS A CRIMINAL JUSTICE GRADUATE WHO WORKS AS A TEAM LEADER & CLIENT SUPPORT WORKER FOR GENIE IN THE GUTTER What does your job role involve?

My main duties as a team leader are overseeing volunteers, delegating tasks, ensuring the daily running of the service, and ensuring data collection and monitoring systems are updated. As a client support worker, I take referrals for new clients, assess clients’ needs and identify any additional support they may require, support clients into detox/ rehab if appropriate, and deliver one-to-one sessions and recovery groups.

Three things you like about your job: ❚❚ Helping those who are normally cast aside by society to fulfil their creative and recovery potential. ❚❚ That no two days are ever the same. ❚❚ I am learning new skills every day and making wide connections within the recovery community.

What help or support did you access from the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team?

Through the World of Work module within my second year I gained a lot of knowledge on application processes and interview skills. I would recommend students take advantage of the mock interview as it does prepare you for real life interviews.

What aspects of your degree were particularly useful in the selection process?

I originally became aware of Genie as the manager, Janine Davies, gave a guest lecture within my Drugs & Alcohol module on what Genie provides as a service. I really wanted to get involved with the charity in some way, so applied for a volunteer role. From this, my relationship and involvement with the charity grew and I could draw a lot on my experience with them during my interview.

Would you do anything differently if you were a first-year student again?

I would have taken advantage of the support offered by the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team a lot earlier and started to build my employability skills set to give me a greater advantage within the world of work. I benefited from my work experience at the Student Union, which gave me confidence in interacting with peers I had not met before, a skill I transferred into my volunteering and job interviews.

GRADUATE CASE STUDY CRIMINAL JUSTICE GRADUATE ELLENNA ROSE WILKINSON IS A PROBATION SERVICES OFFICER FOR HER MAJESTY’S PRISON AND PROBATION SERVICE WHILST TRAINING TO BE A PROBATION OFFICER What does your job involve?

PQiP is a work-based learning programme that combines skills development and applied academic study. As a PQiP learner I have developed my knowledge and understanding of the service by working with offenders as well as completing my vocational qualification. As well as being able to work in an office, I have also been given the opportunity to carry out three placements over the 15-month programme. For one day a week throughout the programme I will be given the opportunity to work in: prisons, courts and approved premises. On a day-to-day basis I work with offenders in one-to-one sessions and carry out risk assessments to help manage their risk within the community. I also work in multi-agency teams with police officers, social workers and mental health professionals to manage offenders. I have to communicate with them to help support my professional reports. The work is demanding and rewarding, and I have learnt to be resilient and to continuously use my professional judgement.

Three things you like about your job: ❙❙ I love working with different individuals and supporting them to change their future. ❙❙ Having a good supportive team. ❙❙ No day is ever the same!

What did the application/selection process involve and how did you prepare for each stage?

There is quite a long process for applying for the PQiP programme. Firstly, you need to apply online, and fill out the lengthy application that asks for examples of times you have shown the key skills needed to be a probation officer. For this process I ensured I had a list of all my employers, volunteering opportunities and their contact details. I also did some research online to check on the probation website as to what is needed to be a Probation Officer and made notes of times I had done something that could link to that skill/attribute. If you have passed the initial application process, you are then invited to complete two tests online. I would suggest carrying out practice tests prior to completing this. If you have not done one before, they can seem complicated. Finally, if you have completed both tests successfully, you will be invited to the assessment centre day and this consists of a written exercise, group exercise and an

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interview. To prepare for this, I ensured I had my application answers, my CV and other key information that may be needed.

I ensured I knew about the service and what was desired for the role.

What help and support did you access in the Careers Zones?

I spoke to the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team in order to see if my application could help me get into my dream role of working with young offenders.

What relevant work experience/volunteering activities did you use during the selection process?

I spoke quite a bit about my volunteering with Positive Futures, experience in youth work and about my work-based placement in my final year of university. I was lucky enough to have had my placement with the Youth Offending Team in Liverpool. I also spoke about my work for the Students Union and the confidence and support that job role gave me with working with new individuals, on a day-to-day basis.

What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability?

Volunteer as much as you can. I know how easy it is to have two days a week off university however, giving up a couple of hours a week looks very promising to future employers, and it shows not only dedication but can teach you new transferable skills.

Would you do anything differently if you were a first-year student again?

Volunteer earlier - I did not start volunteering until end of my first year/ second year and I wish I had done this earlier.

What aspects of your degree were particularly useful in the selection process?

My whole degree was very useful when applying for my position as many of my modules form the basis of my PQiP qualification. It is also useful to have knowledge of probation, prisons and youth offending as they all link to the probation service.

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CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES

GRADUATE CASE STUDY LEE HIORNS HAS COMPLETED BOTH A BA (HONS) AND MA IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE AT LJMU AND NOW WORKS AS HEAD OF BUSINESS, STRATEGY & CHANGE AT THE PROBATION SERVICE, FOR THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE What does your job involve?

My responsibilities include: ❙❙ Estates management of Probation buildings across the North West ❙❙ Facilities Management escalations ❙❙ ICT/Digital provision ❙❙ Senior management lead for Probation reform transition. ❙❙ Senior management lead for the Offender Management in Custody implementation. ❙❙ Senior management lead for the regional co-ordination of COVID-19 related recovery activity ❙❙ Information Sharing Agreements ❙❙ Innovation projects ❙❙ Business planning ❙❙ Participation at North West governance boards In addition to business as usual activities, I lead nationally on the introduction of Smarter working (cross government initiative) across the Probation Service.

How did you get to where you are today? ❙❙ Volunteering work throughout university ❙❙ Diversified my work experience i.e. worked operationally in prisons/probation, and in the Ministry of Justice HQ environment. ❙❙ Mentoring – surrounded myself with excellent people. ❙❙ Undertaken as many learning opportunities as available i.e.

MBA, Probation qualification, project/change management accreditation etc.

Three things that I like about my Job: ❙❙ Autonomy

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❙❙ Opportunity to innovate ❙❙ Leading change across the Probation Service

What skills are important in your job? Did your degree help you? ❙❙ Leadership, communication, influencing, resilience and organisation ❙❙ My degree gave me an excellent insight into the professional workings of the Criminal Justice sector What work experience / volunteering did you do to help you get to where you are today? ❙❙ Shift manager at McDonalds throughout university. ❙❙ Merseyside Police volunteer ❙❙ Youth charity trustee ❙❙ Prison researcher ❙❙ Youth Offending Service Attendance Centre Officer ❙❙ Youth panel member What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability?

Do as much volunteering/work experience as possible! This will certainly give you an advantage over others when applying for jobs in the Criminal Justice sector. It is important to know whether Criminal Justice jobs are right for prospective employees as well as employers assessing whether candidates are right for the jobs.

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CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES

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FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY & CRIMINAL JUSTICE GRADUATE CASE STUDY ABIGAIL ASPEY IS A FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE GRADUATE WHO WORKS AS A CASEWORKER FOR THE HOME OFFICE What does your job involve ?

My job involves decision-making for people applying for citizenship in the UK. This is achieved using a specific framework and set of steps to come to a decision.

What did the application/selection process involve and how did you prepare for each stage?

The first steps of the application were competency and situationbased questions. You were then marked on these and if you scored in the top tier, you were invited for an interview. Prior to the interview, you were informed that the day would include an exam and if you passed the exam, an interview based on two competencies. I looked on the internet for people’s previous experiences and planned my responses based on their advice.

What help and support did you access in the Careers Zones?

I had a meeting in my third year with a careers adviser. They pointed me in the right direction when I discussed the career areas I would be interested in pursuing. They really helped me understand all my options and the best ways to make myself more employable.

What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability?

Explore all possible work experience opportunities in your first

year, as it gives you time to complete them without getting too overwhelmed in your last year. Don’t worry too much about getting work experience in the area you would like to pursue, as any work experience will make you stand out amongst those who have not completed any.

Would you do anything differently if you were a first-year student again?

I would definitely have completed more work experience whilst I had less work and less stress. I started completing mine in my second year and it was stressful trying to keep up with my grades as well as searching, and preparing for, my work experience.

What aspects of your degree were particularly useful in the selection process ?

During the selection process, I remember having a guest lecture from someone who gave advice on how to apply for jobs in the field of Criminal Justice. They gave an insight on what someone on the other side of the application would be looking for and this really helped me when applying for jobs.

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GRADUATE CASE STUDY LOUISE KENNEDY GRADUATED IN 2003 WITH A FIRST CLASS DEGREE IN PSYCHOLOGY WITH CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND IS NOW A CHARTERED AND REGISTERED FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGIST AT A SECURE PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL Briefly describe your current role: My current role involves delivering psychological interventions on a one-to-one and group basis; undertaking risk assessments; delivering staff training; undertaking research; MDT (multidisciplinary team) working; developing policies and procedures and consultancy work.

Three things that you like about your job: Every day is different.

I am constantly learning.

I feel I am making a difference and helping people to improve their lives.

❙❙ ❙❙ ❙❙

Key points in your career: During my time in Liverpool John Moores University, I also had a voluntary position with the Witness Service at Liverpool Magistrates Court. I worked there every Friday during the final year of my degree and assisted witnesses and victims of crime when they attended court, mainly providing practical and emotional support. I showed them around the courtrooms and sat with them on the days they came to give evidence. For me, this was fantastic experience working within the forensic field and learning firsthand about court processes.

After graduating I secured a role in a local prison as Accredited Programmes Facilitator. This role largely comprised of facilitating an offending behaviour programme to prisoners. However it also involved conducting assessments; one-to-one sessions with prisoners; MDT working; and delivering staff training. After two years I was promoted to Deputy Treatment Manager, where in addition to the tasks highlighted above, I was also involved in staff supervision and treatment managing a number of offending behaviour programmes.

In total I spent five years within the Prison Service. I gained many skills and learnt a lot while I was there. I was trained as a hostage negotiator and I also undertook a role as a national trainer where I trained and assessed potential facilitators to deliver offending behaviour programmes. During my time in the Prison Service I also undertook my MSc in Forensic Psychology, which I self-funded and completed parttime over two years.

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Unfortunately, the prison I worked in did not have a psychology department, so in order to progress with my career I had to look for other opportunities elsewhere. In 2008, I secured a position as a Forensic Psychologist in Training. I have worked in conditions of low and medium security, with male and female patients who are diagnosed with mental illness and/or personality disorder. Every day is completely different and my role involves a variety of tasks, including undertaking risk assessments; completing cognitive functioning assessments; delivering one-to-one and group-based psychological interventions; providing psychological information within multidisciplinary team meetings, contributing to patients’ treatment and risk management plans; developing hospital policies; undertaking research; and developing and delivering staff training.

What relevant work experience/skills/volunteering did you have?

I volunteered with the Witness Service in Liverpool Magistrates court for approximately two years during my undergraduate degree. I was also lucky enough to spend two weeks with the psychology department in HMP Liverpool.

What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability?

I would advise students to gain as much voluntary experience as possible in order to make their CVs stand out from the rest. Experience will also give them a better idea of whether forensic psychology is the career they want.

Would you do anything differently if you were a first-year student again?

Whilst I have always been passionate about forensic psychology, I wish I had looked into other psychology routes that are available. Many other psychological disciplines can work within forensic settings, such as clinical and counselling psychologists. I wish I had this information at the beginning of my career.

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GRADUATE CASE STUDY EMMA HIGGINSON GRADUATED IN 2018 WITH A DEGREE IN APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY AND SECURED A PLACE ON THE MSC FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY AND MENTAL HEALTH AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER Why did you decide to apply for this postgraduate course?

I developed an interest in forensic psychology during second year when I completed a placement as part of a module. I spent three days at HMP Altcourse, which gave me a snapshot of the role that mental illness and disorder can play in committing crime. I knew straightaway that this was the area I wanted to pursue a career in, and attending a lecture by a Forensic Psychologist in third year further confirmed this for me. The course at The University of Manchester stood out due to its focus on mental health, and the modules really appealed to me.

What did the application process involve?

I was asked to provide a full CV, two academic references and a personal statement of a page in length demonstrating my understanding of the role of a forensic psychologist and outlining my research interests and experiences.

I was invited to an interview and was asked to submit a 500 word Masters dissertation proposal, which I then delivered a 10-minute presentation on during the interview with two lecturers from the course.

What help and support did you access from the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team?

I first met with Hayley Fallon, the Careers Adviser for my course, to discuss the application process and funding for postgraduate courses, as I had no idea about what the process involved. Hayley also showed me the personal statement information sheet which was very useful and enabled me to create a draft CV and personal statement which I presented to Anja Heid, one of the Careers and Employability Advisers, in a second meeting. Anja gave me extremely helpful and specific feedback, including ways to demonstrate how my experience made me suitable for the course. I updated my CV and personal statement and Anja responded by email with extremely helpful follow-up feedback on how to make my personal statement more concise, as I had originally written a lot more than a page.

Tell us about any work experience or volunteering you have done?

Interviewing domestic violence offenders at HMP Altcourse for my dissertation provided me with realistic expectations of what a career in forensic psychology would involve. It also helped me to develop relevant research skills and awareness of the many ethical issues that need to be considered. Volunteering at the Whitechapel Centre, a homeless and housing charity, gave me an extremely valuable experience of working with individuals who struggle with mental health. Both experiences developed my interpersonal and communication skills with such individuals and my maturity. I know that these experiences strongly benefited my application as they demonstrated my genuine passion and interest in the area.

Would you do anything differently in terms of career planning if you were a first-year student again?

If I had my time at university again, I definitely would have started volunteering and gaining work experience earlier on, as you have much more free time in first year compared to third. Even if you are not sure about which area you want to go into, experience can help you decide. I also would have looked into Masters courses earlier, so that I could have attended the open day.

What are your plans after finishing the postgraduate programme?

After my Masters I will complete the BPS Qualification in Forensic Psychology to become a Forensic Psychologist, which involves a minimum of two years of supervised practice.

A CONVERSATION WITH A … FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGIST DR SUE THOMAS IS A CHARTERED AND REGISTERED FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGIST AND WORKS FOR NORTH WEST PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES (NWPS) What does your job involve?

There isn’t really a typical day, you cannot predict what will happen and it will vary depending on the grade you are within NWPS. Trainees will be given a variety of work around assessments, interventions, consultancy, training and research as they are required to submit evidence of these competencies for their qualification. Newly-qualified staff will mainly be involved in clinical work (assessments and interventions) with more complex cases and some supervision of trainees. Experienced qualified staff will also have line management responsibilities and regional roles that feed into national agendas. As a Cluster Manager I also have line management and supervision responsibilities. Although I still do some clinical work to ensure I retain my professional qualification I have a more strategic/management role. For example, I oversee all the trainee progression plans and am the contact with the main training route provider. I also sit on national committees with regard to trainee progression and training. I am a negotiator advisor which involves assisting the training of negotiators and attending critical incidents to support the negotiators and advise on resolution strategy.

What three things do you like about your job?

❙❙ Reading the files and interviewing prisoners is very interesting and challenging.

❙❙ The variety of the work and client groups as we work across all

establishments in the North West. ❙❙ Supervising trainee psychologists and seeing them develop and becoming qualified.

What three things are you not so keen on? ❙❙ Working in a political environment that appears to be in a constant state of change can be challenging. ❙❙ Being aware of some of the life experiences some prisoners have had to endure in the past can be difficult. ❙❙ Working with people who are resistant to change.

Key points in your career development to date: ❙❙ Graduated in 1992 with a 1st Class honours degree in Psychology and Sociology (age 39).

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❙❙ Obtained PhD in Forensic Psychology in 2000. ❙❙ Became Head of Psychology at a university and during this time I worked with the Prison Service on various projects.

❙❙ In 2005 I took a career break from the university to work for a European Social Fund/Prison Service project across the UK and Europe. During this time I gained my Chartered Forensic status with the BPS and HCPC registration. Before the end of my career break I was offered a permanent post in the Prison Service. ❙❙ At the end of the project, I took up the post of Head of Psychology at HMP Lancaster Farms, then moved to HMP Garth. Two years ago I was promoted to my current role.

Any top tips for psychology student wanting to pursue a career as a Forensic Psychologist? ❙❙ You will draw on all of the topics you cover in your undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in your work. ❙❙ You need to be persistent i.e. do not get discouraged if you do not get a post on your first attempt. ❙❙ You need to ensure you have a work/home life balance: you cannot take it home with you!

What kinds of work experience and volunteering would you recommend students undertake to increase their chances?

Anything that involves working with those classed as ‘vulnerable’ e.g. elderly people, young people, those with disabilities, ex-offenders, mental health, substance misuse etc. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer work experience or volunteering.

Forensic psychology is a competitive career area. What other roles would you also recommend students explore if they are not successful first time round?

A ‘Group Facilitator’ is a very good grounding role. Individual establishments recruit facilitators to deliver programmes for those convicted as sex offenders, violent offenders as well as general cognitive skills programmes. Other roles would be Prison Officers or working within the Probation Service.

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