With ambitions for a career in the New Zealand Police Force, Timmy’s Bachelor of Criminal Justice (BCJ) degree gives him a great background in policy and criminal psychology.
"I was told by the recruitment officer from the Police that the Criminal Justice degree would set me up really well to join, and with Canterbury being the only university in New Zealand that offered it as well as giving me an opportunity to move away from home, it was an easy choice to pick UC," he says.
Originally from Auckland, Timmy had the opportunity to start with UC in the Go Canterbury Scholarship programme which offers accommodation at a Hall of Residence in his first year, skill workshops, and travel around the South Island.
"I have been on a number of trips in my first year with through the Go Canterbury Scholarship, it has allowed me to visit places such as Lake Tekapo, Roundhill Ski Area, as well as Hanmer Hot Springs. They also took us on day trips to Sumner Beach and to view all the gap fillers in the city.
"I stayed at Uni Hall in my first year, it was great as it was a good way to meet new people as well as getting used to university life, it really set me up well for flatting too."
It is definitely the student community at UC that Timmy enjoyed here most, getting involved in a number of campus events.
"The clubs scene offers so much. I was part of a number of clubs, Cuba, Ensoc and Opsoc to name a few. They all put on really cool events such as Ensoc BBQs, the Opsoc Charity Ball which have been highlights. I was elected to be the Media Rep for Opsoc in my final year at UC."
The diversity of Timmy’s studies was also a bonus, which he says will appeal to a variety of people.
"If you’re into studying a wide range of topics that are aimed toward a career in policing, corrections, or social work then the BCJ is for you," he says.
"My standouts from the course were definitely the wide range of subjects, meaning you got to learn a lot of varied but engaging content every day. One lecture I could be doing criminal law, the next Māori. My social work papers and my gang papers both were very different yet interesting. Plus the course has a great range of lecturers who really engage well with the students.
"I also enjoy how it offered me a wide range of options in choosing papers so I was not limited. My advice for new students going into the BCJ is to pick electives you’re actually interested in, not just the easy papers. You’ll get more out of the papers you want to learn."
