Career Focus | Case studies and interviews
Why did you choose Middlesex as your university?
Interview:
OWEN BOYNE, UK BA CRIMINOLOGY
Background: I live in Kingsbury with my family and chose to do a criminology degree as I wanted to enhance my employability when applying to join the police force. I studied the first two years of my degree at Brighton University as I wanted to experience living away from home. While I was in Brighton I decided to do some volunteering to build up my CV. My grandmother already attended an Age UK day centre in Brighton, so I contacted them and was surprised at the speed of the induction process for me to begin volunteering for them. It seemed a natural progression to continue working with Age UK when I came back to London. I now volunteer in the Age UK resource centre in Camden helping out with weekday activities and recreational games such as bingo and board games. I also help out on the administrative side checking transport arrangements, and with the preparation and serving of meals.
I came to Middlesex to study the final year of my degree as a lot of the background reading I had already read was written by some of the lecturers at Middlesex, so I knew that the criminology department was really good. As an added bonus Middlesex University is close to home.
What volunteering have you done?
My previous volunteering experience has included the Police Cadets and working the summer period in a Help the Aged charity shop.
Why did you do this volunteering?
Initially as a CV boost, but then I really got into it and found how much I enjoyed it. The trust and bonus of responsibility gave me a good feeling too.
What did you achieve through it?
As well as enhancing my CV, I have developed my soft skills – communicating and talking to people. I now feel more comfortable talking to elderly people and supporting them. To such an extent that next Spring I will be protesting alongside them as the latest government cuts are threatening closure of the resource centre in Camden where I volunteer. The day centre provides a social lifeline to so many of the
local residents. With only two other resource centres in Camden, the proposed closure would affect the well being of our client user group.
How has Middlesex helped or supported you through your volunteering?
Before starting at Middlesex I looked at the web site for volunteering activities. I found I could register as a volunteer online which was helpful. I plan to use the Middlesex Volunteering Programme to arrange more volunteering activities in the future.
What does volunteering mean to you?
It was the positivity that engaged me. I don’t see volunteering as ‘giving up my time’ – more as an enjoyable part of my social life.
How will you use the experience in your future career?
My experience of working with Age UK has influenced me into looking at becoming more involved in the charitable sector working with the elderly and disadvantaged client group. Ultimately, I want to link my experiences into my future career in the police force working in the community support field.
Case study:
RAVI JAY, INDIA MBA STUDENT
Ravi has worked on the Volunteering Programme at a range of events, and this year he will be in supervisory role co-ordinating other volunteers.
“Volunteering at Middlesex has been a revelation for me. I’ve met some genuinely nice people, and realised that there is so much more in me that I can give. Middlesex Volunteering has given me ample opportunities to give back to society by conducting events where they welcomed several charitable and local community organisations and gave them an opportunity to tap into the Middlesex University talent pool. It has been tremendously helpful in creating a healthy network outside of school. I am talking to three such organisations at the moment to see how I can offer my services to them. I was encouraged to include my volunteering in my resume, and I feel it has really bolstered my employability.”
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