Harriet Tyrell

I love the fact Loughborough is a campus university. Loughborough also has a reputation for having a great student experience, which I now know is certainly true.

Criminology overlaps with several different academic disciplines, and I wanted the opportunity to explore these areas. I knew from the outset that I wanted to pursue a career within the criminal justice system and the modules that were covered at Loughborough really interested me.

I worked at a Category B Male Prison as a Resettlement Case Manager on my placement year. From day one, I was given so much responsibility. My role involved completing resettlement plans with service users that addressed issues such as accommodation, education, finance and debt management and families/relations. I then worked with the service user, their probation officer and the identified support agencies to help support them before their release from custody. My placement provided me with invaluable experiences, and exceeded my expectations. It was an amazing and challenging experience and really tested me at times. The whole experience was eye-opening in terms of the current state of the Criminal Justice System, as well as giving me an insight into future career options.

My favourite module was 'Drugs: Society, Politics and Policy' in my second year. I am really looking forward to my third year module 'The Criminal Justice System in England and Wales' as I think my experience from my placement year will really help me when studying it.

I hope to pursue a career in the probation service after I graduate. Having had the opportunity to complete a placement year within the sector, I now have knowledge of the Criminal Justice System and I also have experience of working with offenders in a prison environment.

Go for it! Not only have I enjoyed studying my course, but I have had the opportunity to get involved in so many other things socially, through halls, clubs and societies, and the opportunity to complete an amazing placement year.