Alumna, Sinead Orange graduated from St Mary's with a BA in Psychology in 2020. Since graduation she has worked in number of roles and she is now in her current role as a Youth Offending Officer. Sinead shares her story since graduating form St Mary's.
How and why did you choose St Mary's?
During my visit to the open day, I was immediately drawn to the campus. Its size seemed to strike a perfect balance, neither too large that one could feel lost, nor too small that it lacked diversity. This wasn't a massive university where students could easily feel overlooked, rather, it was a place where every student mattered. The friendly nature of both the staff and the students further enhanced the welcoming atmosphere. St Mary's openness and warmth made it clear that this was a nurturing environment where everyone could feel at home, and I was drawn by that.
What was your course of study? What activities or societies were you involved in during your time at St Mary's?
My degree was BSc Psychology, I really enjoyed it! During my time, I was involved in quite a few activities and societies which exposed me to interesting experiences. I started as a student ambassador and later advanced to senior student ambassador. I was also an active member of the psychology society, eventually serving as its vice president. Additionally, I held the position of senior resident for Old House and participated in the netball team.
What are you doing now? Could you describe how your experiences and development been since graduation?
Since graduating, my career has evolved significantly. I am currently part of the youth offending team, serving as a youth offending officer with the ACT-Now initiative, which involves immediate response (within 90 minutes) to incidents where children are arrested for knife-related offenses.
My journey began at Oakhill Secure Training Centre where I worked as a resettlement caseworker. Following that, I briefly served as a behaviour coach in a school setting. My next role took me to the Milton Keynes contextual safeguarding team as an exploitation worker. Each position has been a stepping stone, building my skills and leading me to my current role.
What advice would you offer to our current students?
Firstly, I would say is to leverage faculty support. Don’t hesitate to seek guidance from your lecturers. They are invaluable resources eager to assist wherever possible.
Engage in placement opportunities where possible. Participating in a placement module was one of the best decisions I made. It not only enhanced my skills and experience but also provided crucial insights and boosted my CV.
It’s crucial to manage your coursework effectively. Stay diligent with your assignments to avoid last-minute stress. Importantly, begin working on your dissertation early and maintain open communication with your supervisor.
In three words, what do you remember most about St Mary's?
Staff (all the way from lectures, security, Ref staff, cleaners, support staff all of them), campus, and facilities!