Criminology, Law, and Policing students get career insight at Wrexham University conference

Criminology, Law, and Policing students have gained a valuable insight into careers and employability beyond their studies, as part of a special conference, centred around their subject area.

Cohorts from the three subjects came together to listen from teams within Prifysgol Wrecsam/Wrexham University, as well as a number of external organisations.

Members of the University’s Careers and Employability Service designed and delivered the conference with Programme Leader Dr Jo Prescott.

Day one of the conference involved session’s that covered how students can self-refer for support via the Careers Portal, receive advice around career planning and obtain careers guidance from the team.

The second day of the conference saw the University’s Moot Courtroom come alive with activity as numerous external organisations came along to network with students. They consisted of:

• Adferiad
• BAWSO
• British Transport Police
• Citizens Advice
• Gamlins Solicitors
• GHP Legal
• Housing Justice Cymru
• North Wales Police
• Victim Support

Students were also provided with a range of information on opportunities for future employment and how to build skills for the workplace with the organisations present.

Julia Nowak, Second Year Law student, said: “These sessions are always so informative and interactive. It’s an incredible opportunity to discover roles and pathways into sectors that you didn’t know were possible, or even existed.”

It wasn’t just current students that found the event beneficial. Rajeena Holland, who completed her Masters in Psychology at Wrexham, visited specifically for the chance to network.

She said: “I drove an hour to be here for the event because I know how beneficial events like this are.

“The visitors from the external organisations were amazing at signposting me to suitable roles and opportunities that I didn’t know were available.”

Bawso, work to support people from backgrounds who are affected by domestic abuse and several other forms of abuse, such as human trafficking and forced marriage.

The organisation currently supports over 6,000 people every year in Wales through the provision of purpose-built refuges, safe houses, and an extensive Outreach & Resettlement Programme.

They attended the conference – and were on-hand to speak to students.

Alice Amedor, Local Services Manager at Bawso, said: “We provide a wealth of work placements and volunteering opportunities, so we were delighted to speak with the students at the event.

“We are pleased to be able to support them, and it was amazing to see their continuous journey from being a student to working within the community.

“This transition creates a sense of recognition and familiarity within the community, and it is amazing for service users and colleagues to recognise familiar faces.”

Lucy Jones, Head of Careers and Employability, added: “It was a delight to see so many of our Criminology, Policing and Law students networking and engaging with sector professionals at our collaborative careers and employability fair.

“Having organisations from across our region sharing their knowledge, expertise and opportunities is a fantastic way to build community cohesion and support employers and students to work together to build in-sector professional services.”

Throughout the afternoon, Adferiad, Bawso and North Wales Police conducted breakout question and answer sessions to allow students to gain even more of an insight into work experience and career opportunities.

The conference has now become an annual event due to its success and popularity with both students and visitors.