Read what graduates from the Bachelor of Arts in Criminology & Criminal Justice at Griffith University have to say about their careers in the real-world.

• Rebecca Thompson
• Kate Wunderlich
• Helen Gabriel

Rebecca Thompson
Australia

Studying at Griffith has been a wonderful experience, not just because I met amazing people and formed new friendships but because my learning translated into reality even before graduation. As a Griffith Graduate in Criminology and Criminal Justice I can never emphasise enough the value of participating in the Field Placement program. This is where you get to put your major, cross disciplinary major and personal ideas about where you want to go with your new career as a graduate into perspective. Students have the opportunity to enter a workplace/professional practitioner environment with academic and professional supervision. Here, you get to see the real world, apply your skills and interact with a network of professionals. The opportunities to grow and develop ones skills are immense and really help put your learning at Griffith into action.

In my case, immediately after I completed my Field Placement I was offered as position by the Crime and Misconduct Commission as a Misconduct Prevention Research Assistant. My learning experience continues, my professional network expands constantly, I am challenged daily and I know my Griffith education is valued.

Back to top

Kate Wunderlich
Australia

I was placed at Community Safety and Support Policy Unit, Department of Communities (previously Crime Prevention Queensland). My main task was to write a speech about Seniors and Crime and Crime Prevention which the Director of the unit presented at a World Health Organisation Conference and a Safety House Conference. I found the field placement experience invaluable. Working in the field I learned about the structure and processes of the organisation. I also learned some important networking skills which are necessary to operate effectively in the public sector. I was able to actively apply my knowledge about crime prevention and other criminological theory.

Since graduating I have obtained a permanent position in the Department of Communities. Because of field placement, during the selection process, I was able to demonstrate the abilities and values I had learned were important to the Department. It would have been much harder to start my career without field placement.

Back to top

Helen Gabriel
Australia

I completed the Bachelor of Behavioural Science/Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice degree at Griffith University in 2004. I found the staff to be helpful and believe that the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice is set apart because of their commitment to the success of their students. The School Administration Officer was ready to assist in course selection and enrolment so that I was able to complete my desired major. Field placement was a stand out course for me and assisted in improving my understanding of what to expect from the ‘real world’. The materials available on the web for most of my courses helped prepare me for lectures and tutorials so that I knew what to expect. The academic staff were able to assist in developing career networks and I attribute my current position in the Department of Corrective Services to that assistance.

The Griffith University Criminology Student Society made the social life at the School stand out and enabled me to meet fellow students and academic staff that I may not have had the opportunity to meet. Because the Society is run by students for students, they were interested in assisting students in completing their degrees as well as providing some much needed social events throughout the semester.

Back to top