Eloise Jones
Graduating Criminology and Policing student Eloise Jones is already working abroad in Canada at a camp for underprivileged children, where she will be for the next two years.
Eloise believes the skills she has learnt in her degree will be invaluable in her time out there.
“I feel overwhelming pride for pushing through the more difficult times and reaching the end, graduating in a degree I am passionate about, with a result I feel represents my hard work,” she said. “My understanding of vulnerable communities and marginalised groups, from my academic studies lends itself well to working at the camp. “Within these two years I will not only be working, but developing my confidence, gaining important life skills and experience as well as having a great time. My degree has given me an understanding of society, which can be used and developed during my work abroad.”
Following her time abroad, Eloise plans to return and work in the Criminal Justice Service, possibly in the police and work her way up to specialise in a certain area. “I know I want to go into this career as a result of my studies, due to the academic content and how interesting it has been,” she said. “Through lecturers and guest lecturers, we have met an array of people who work in different areas of the force, highlighting how many jobs there are which we may not have even realised existed. I feel my degree has set me up well to enter the police and find which area suits me best.”
Eloise chose Worcester after looking at a number of universities. “I knew for a long time that I wanted to study policing, I have wanted to be a police officer since at least my early teens. We had a talk from the lecturers and honestly, that is what sold it for me, their passion was clear, and I could tell they were here for us as students, to make our degree as successful as possible.”
A key memory of the course for Eloise was visiting HMP Hewell. She said: “It was great to see a prison in the flesh, after having taken a whole ‘prisons and punishment’ module. It really helped to solidify our learning and deepen understanding. On top of this, it was really interesting on a personal level too.”
Reflecting on her experience, she added: “My time at university has been great. There is always the opportunity to be supported here, whether it be for academic needs, mental health, financial support etc. I have benefited from these support services throughout my time here. They have helped me understand my learning style more, which in turn has improved my academic ability. Alongside these services, the staff here are a true credit to the University. There has not been a time where I have felt I could not go to my Personal Academic Tutor with any concerns. She knows me well, I am a person not just a number or a grade, and this has meant we have been able to build a great rapport which in turn has meant she has been there for me supporting me through anything and everything.”
The University’s annual autumn Graduation Ceremonies will take place as planned from September 12-14 in the beautiful and historic Worcester Cathedral followed by celebration receptions at the City Campus. No Worcester graduates have been affected by the marking and assessment boycott.
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