Friends who began their university journey together four years ago have graduated together with their dream jobs
If it wasn't for Staffs, I wouldn't be doing the job that I’ve got now
Emma Baldacci and Sian Hill, both aged 23, met on the BSc (Hons) Forensic Investigation degree at Staffordshire University and soon became firm friends.
The pair lived together and worked as student ambassadors, supporting each other throughout their studies. After progressing onto the MSc Digital Forensic Investigation, they are both now working as Digital Forensic Investigators – Emma with Thames Valley Police and Sian with Greater Manchester Police.
Emma described the experience as “something that we can never forget,” with Sian adding, “it’s been such a nice thing to share together.”
The undergraduate degree provided a solid grounding across criminalistics, forensics, crime scene science and evidence analysis, making use of Staffordshire University's crime scene house and specialist laboratories.
Emma and Sian chose to specilaise in digital forensics, an emerging area of policing aligned with the rapidly changing face of forensic investigations around the world. The Masters course focuses upon the use of new technologies to digitally document crime scenes, analyse digital evidence as well as understand concepts of digital law.
“Everything is going digital right now. Everyone has a phone, a computer, a laptop, any digital devices like an Alexa or like a smart home. It just keeps on growing,” explained Emma.
“On the Masters, we did case reports, packaging processing, gained the XRY certification and learned to use digital forensic software that we both use on a day-to-day basis at work now.”
Sian said: “There are so many opportunities for jobs and the University really sets you up for getting good jobs.”
As Staffordshire University graduates both received a 25% discount for their postgraduate studies. Both Emma and Sian graduated with distinction and received support from Staffordshire University’s Careers Service with their CVs and preparing for their job interviews.
“We wouldn’t have been able to get the jobs that we’ve got right now without doing the Masters,” Emma commented. “We literally handed in our dissertations on 31 August and by mid-September we had started working!”
“If it wasn't for Staffs, I wouldn't be doing the job that I’ve got now,” Sian agreed. “I wake up in the morning and think, am I actually doing this job? I just I love my job so much and I owe it all to Staffs!”
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