A group of five recent graduates who studied at Staffordshire University are now all working at the same prison
Securing the job whilst still studying at Staffs was amazing. I didn’t expect to be working in the sector before graduation.
After graduating in BA (Hons) Criminal Justice with Offender Management this summer, Elsa Cooper, Jessica Davies, Constance Owen, Liam Delaney and Nadreet Munir have all secured jobs together.
Staffordshire University ranked 2nd for Criminology in the recently published Guardian University Guide 2024 and students on the degree can choose specialist pathways to align with their career aspirations, including Offender Management, Victim Support, or Organised Crime and Terrorism.
The course has strong industry links and a focus on employability with students encouraged to complete work experience during their studies.
Elsa Cooper, 21 from Derby, began her role as a Case Administrator alongside her final year studies before graduating with a first class degree.
“After looking at many other universities across the country, I found this course to be most specifically tailored to the sector I wanted a career in. There were no other courses across the country with this name and these modules. The knowledge and support from all of our lecturers was incredible.” Elsa commented.
“We visited a prison in third year which allowed me to see the kind of roles that I would be able to aim for in the prison service. On the trip we found out they were hiring and so after I applied.
“Securing the job whilst still studying at Staffs was amazing. I didn’t expect to be working in the sector before graduation because I know how difficult it can be to get a job in this field without previous direct experience.”
Fellow graduate Jessica Davies also achieved a first and works as a Case Administrator in the same Offender Management Unit as Elsa.
The 21-year-old from Knypersley said: “I really enjoyed the course and it has helped me with my current employment. The modules were really engaging and interesting, but the staff are what made it for me because they were extremely helpful and supportive.
“I feel like getting a job straight after university is partially what university is about. It is supposed to give you the techniques and knowledge to complete job roles to a more advanced level than if you didn't have a degree. Staffs University helped with me securing this job as my lecturer put me forward for this role, which I then got as a result of the job interview.”
She added: “It is great working with my fellow graduates as we are all in the same boat and being able to support one another is a huge help.”
Discover more about studying at Staffordshire University at an next Open Day – book your place.