Stepping away from my degree: Scarlett

Posted on: 16 September 2024 by Richard Finch in Class of 2023

Scarlett Rzeczycki is a Class of 2023 BA Criminology graduate, now working as a Candidate Resourcer at Hales Group Ltd.

 

How did you hear about your role and decide to apply for it?

I actually found this position completely accidently. After graduating from The University of Liverpool, I worked at a law firm as a Legal Assistant in Liverpool for a year. After that, I decided to move back home and found difficulty finding a career that I wanted to do. My dream is to work in rehabilitation/social work, however, I have found that I do not have the right experience/degree to go into a role like this at this stage of my life. I decided that it would be right for me to find some temporary work, so I found Hales Group and asked for their advice. From meeting the staff, they asked me to work for them directly!

It was complete fate that led me to this position, I never thought about recruitment as a career before this.

How did you get to where you are now?

Honestly, this job has placed a lot of trust in me despite my lack of experience in the recruitment industry. I think they were attracted to my strong passion for interacting with people and my motivation to assist others. I made it clear that I am willing to work as hard as possible

Your favourite experience as part of your role?

Meeting and talking to new people, getting to know their stories. And working with some amazing colleagues. 

The most challenging part of your graduate journey?

The most challenging part of my graduate journey has been realising that my degree in Criminology did not open as many career opportunities as I had hoped. When I originally chose this field, I intended to join the police force, but I soon realised that it was not the path I wanted to pursue. I also hoped that a Criminology degree would lead to a career in Social Work, but I found that they typically require a more specific degree or experience working with young vulnerable children. I struggled to find roles that matched my degree, and finding work after graduating has been the toughest part of my journey. Looking back, I wish I had researched the degree and its career prospects more thoroughly before making my decision.

3 Tips for current students and graduates:

  1. Give yourself the time to think and research a degree properly before you commit to it. Look into careers that would come from having that degree and make sure they are something you could see yourself doing.

  2. Do not stress out about finding a job, it is difficult and can be unbelievably challenging at times when you are unemployed. BUT everything happens for a reason, and one day, everything will fall into place.

  3. Take a deep breath and keep your options open.
  4.  

 
Grad+

Grad+ is just for University of Liverpool finalists and graduates. It's a new way to stay connected, get career support, build the right skills and experiences, and hear about exclusive career opportunities in Liverpool, the UK, and beyond. Let us help you get the job that you deserve! Click here to find out more.

Graduate Outcomes Survey

The Graduate Outcomes survey exists to improve the experience of future students. All graduates are asked to share their perspectives 15 months after they finish their course, to build a national picture that UK universities and colleges use to innovate their services. League tables, Prospects and The Complete University Guide use our Graduate Outcomes data to help students make decisions about their future.