1. Generic Skills:
Throughout studying a Bachelor of Criminology at Western Sydney University I have gained many generic skills which will assist me in all future careers. These skills include communication skills, research skills including studying literature and other research, technological skills via my laptop, team work skills, interpreting, listening and identifying skills, and, high-skills in writing and developing through assessment tasks and class work. Each of these skills will essentially assist me throughout the rest of my life and will help me to be successful in my chosen career path.
2. Specialised Skills:
Furthermore, my university degree has also assisted me in developing and gaining specialised skills which will assist me in my future careers relating to my degree, such as working throughout the criminal justice system or psychology areas. These skills include, writing character and offender assessments, developing communication skills when it comes specifically to offenders, writing high-skill reports, acknowledging the signs of mental disorders, and, learning and understanding statistics relevant to crime and offenders which essentially allows me to have comprehensive knowledge with the criminal justice system. Having and developing specialised skills for specific positions is important to be successful as a job applicant, and further, to be able to perform my job to the highest standard.
3. Community Funding Application Development
When it comes to skills necessary to conduct community needs analysis, I think that it’s important to have a connection with local councils and local communities in the area. I would make sure to form connections with relevant stakeholders in the area as well as, ensure I collect and analyse extensive data to allow for thorough understand into the area. Identifying any gaps in services available in areas is also important to know exactly what each community needs. All of these skills are needed to allow for project identification and proposal development. Research and data need to be collected and from this, proposals can be developed based on community needs. Further investigation of funding collectives needs to be identified to meet the needs of any proposal. These skills were all used and developed in my latest community grant proposal around youth homelessness. Specifically, through choosing an appropriate funding body by researching who would be most benefited by our service and who could assist the most.
4. Applied Debating: Developing Position Papers
An applied debate is arguing one view you truly believe in, while still considering the other side. You must consider and put forth the ideas of the other side to your view to fully demonstrate why your view is the most important. I have developed many skills in developing position papers, through my past experience of writing a position paper around the decriminalisation of abortion in New South Wales. These skills include, researching my views of the topic, and finding sources which are most relevant to prove my points. Also learning and developing proper and easy to read structure for my position paper.
Shannon Anjoul's Blog 