Criminology degree or IDVA

[Bobbinsbop]

Hi
im looking for some advice about what to do.
I’m mid 30s and work part time as a carer bo qualifications past GCSEs.

I want to start on a career path. I like the look of a criminology degree but unsure what jobs are available from this, is it a worthwhile degree for job opportunities.

The other option I’m considering is training as an IDVA (domestic violence advocate) does anyone here do this for a job? What is your experience of it? I have looked into the qualifications and have seen that if I volunteer as this I can do a qualification alongside.

I have googled for more info on both but there is so much information, I’d like to get thoughts from people that have done these.

Where have you looked so far?

National Careers Service

UCAS

will both have reliable information. And you should find plenty of relevant experience on The Student Room.

I’m going to be honest here - often people with not much advanced education and / or little work experience pick a job that reflects their own current life experience. So they never get to be architects or pilots or deep sea divers. Of course work in all the areas of social service are hugely valuable - but there are a million other careers that people don’t always consider if no one suggests them.

As a part time carer - how much time (or money!) do you have for fun? You do seem to be considering only the most depressing of occupations - and I wonder if you have thoroughly investigated outside these areas?

(Sincere apologies if this seems patronising - I do feel compelled to ask.)

Criminology is not the most fantastic degree for career prospects as it is relevant to a fairly narrow selection of careers, which need far fewer recruits than the number of criminology students pumped out each year. It could be helpful for generic “you just need a degree” graduate schemes, but it sounds to me like you want a more targeted approach?

I would suggest looking for the job you want first, then working backwards towards what qualifications would get you there, rather than looking at degrees first and working out what jobs they could lead to. What do you enjoy doing day to day? What are you good at? What level of salary do you want? Would you like to work in an office environment? What things have you done that made you go “wow, I did a really good job there”?

I have a BSc in criminology and criminal justice. I left uni, temped for a few months, then worked for the police in a civilian role for a few years, then joined as a police officer. I left there after a decade, went to a Civil Service agency where a 2:1 degree was required in any subject for the role a they out me through my Masters level NEBOSH. Did that for six years, hated it and now work in criminal Intelligence work for which a degree is not required.

I loved uni, enjoyed the study and lived it up for 3yrs in my early 20s, but it's not a degree which gains you any specific job.

Look at the jobs you want first - is a degree actually the right qualification for the role?

Thank you for the replies.

I agree that the jobs I’m considering are very emotionally involved and could be quite depressing.

The difficulty I’m having is not knowing about so many careers outside of the obvious.

the end goal is to be able to WFH, and earn a decent wage which at the min is anything above min wage!

I feel that I have nothing to offer to help me get started in a career so it all seems a bit impossible and overwhelming.

Acknowledging that there’s a lot to find out is a good place to start! I’m sure you have plenty to offer; it’s just a matter of sifting through limitless possibilities to find a path that would bring you joy and satisfaction.

If you go onto the National Careers Service website you’ll find questionnaires to fill in that help you assess your own skills and preferences. You may or may not agree with the conclusions the site provides for you - but undertaking the exercise does at least get you to think about who you are and what you might actually enjoy.

There’s a book called ‘What Colour is Your Parachute’ which came out decades ago - I think it’s been updated and it would be well worth getting hold of a copy and working through it. Again, it forces you to concentrate on your own skills and values.

You didn’t answer my query about whether you get any time for fun! Swimming, singing in a choir, visiting galleries and museums, attending free lectures or getting out of your local area occasionally can all give you time to think, broaden horizons, and suggest possibilities that don’t arise otherwise.

Are you a reader? Do you have more than one language? Have you played any sport or learnt an instrument? What would be your perfect day?

And do you have a local college where you might enquire about Access Courses? That would be your next step.