Meet Shanira, North Hertfordshire College’s Student Volunteering Ambassador and one of our Protective Services learners.
Shanira wants to be a police officer in the future and has completed an incredible amount of volunteering work to help her achieve this goal.
As our Student Volunteering Ambassador, she not only champions this type of work but is testament to how it can support young people on their career journey.
We managed to make room in Shanira’s very busy schedule to find out more about her volunteering work and Protective Services studies:
What is the most interesting part of your Protective Services course?
“I’m really enjoying learning about my future career as a police officer, and what the job involves. It was super interesting to learn about the full scope and different types of police powers during one of my modules, like investigative powers, preventative powers, and disposal powers.
“I’m also starting to apply the knowledge and experience I’ve gained throughout my volunteering career in class. This has really helped cement my understanding of complex topics, like global affairs, before I’ve even started my career.”
Can you tell us a bit more about your volunteering and work experience?
“I started with the Police Cadets when I was 13. I’ve had a strong understanding of the fundamentals of policing, like communicating with the public and dealing with public order, for quite a while!
“Alongside that, I was part of the Stevenage Youth Council and the Young Carers Council, which was my first experience of addressing real-life issues for local young people.
“I then started volunteering with the Hertfordshire Youth Crime Commission, which I’m still a part of today. This incredible initiative supports young people to engage with peers across Hertfordshire on topics related to policing and crime. As part of the Commission, I delivered a speech in front of the Knife Angel about our work on knife crime. After I’d finished, I was approached by a police officer who invited me to become one of the Hertfordshire Crime Ambassadors.
“As a Hertfordshire Crime Ambassador, I’m now working closely with Jonathan Ash Edwards, Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner. The group recently conducted an anonymous survey in local schools and colleges so young people could raise any concerns related to public safety. We analysed the results and each Ambassador selected a theme to explore in a presentation. I chose police powers as we’d been learning about this in class, and I delivered a presentation to Jonathan about regulating police powers in Hertfordshire.”
How has your volunteering and work experience supported your Protective Services studies?
“My volunteering work has given me early insight into the topics we cover in class, so I’m always the one with my hand up!
“Also, working as a Hertfordshire Crime Ambassador allows me to make a real difference to public safety within the local community, which I’m finding so rewarding. For me, this experience has confirmed that I’m on the right career pathway. I’m hoping to be a full police constable in the next five years.
“I’m also so lucky to have the highest connections within Hertfordshire Police as you can, really! Working directly with high-ranking officers will really help my CV shine when it comes to applying for a role.
“Plus, I’m now confident in delivering presentations to audiences from the sector. Not a lot of 18-year-olds feel comfortable doing that!”
What are your next steps after your programme finishes?
“I’m hoping to complete an internship with the Chief Constable of Hertfordshire Police, Andy Prophet.
“While I complete the internship, I’ll apply for the Police Constable Entry Programme to officially start my policing career. I’ll need to get started with training to pass the dreaded bleep test again, too!”
How has the College helped you plan your next steps?
“Having a tutor who served in the Metropolitan Police for many years has been so valuable. He gives so much insight into the realities of policing, and how he progressed through the ranks. He’s been through the whole process of applying for the police himself, so it’s so helpful to have him supporting my journey.
“My tutors have really supported my volunteering work and continue to find really cool work experience opportunities for me, like the ride-alongs.”
If you could speak to someone who’s thinking of volunteering alongside their studies, what would you say to them?
“As NHC’s Student Volunteering Ambassador, I encourage you to take up a volunteering role that supports your career goals, while helping the local community – it’s so rewarding! You’ll build a strong network of contacts who could provide valuable references in future and support you with every step of your career journey.”
We’re super proud of Shanira for going above and beyond to achieve her goals, we wish her the very best of luck for her future.
Do you want to make a real difference to your local community, like Shanira does? Be the best you. Ever. Explore Protective Services at North Hertfordshire College.