Charlotte Allen

As an avid lover of crime documentaries, television shows and films, Charlotte Allen knew she wanted to work in the crime sector since leaving school.  Seven years later and the young Teesside mum has bagged her dream job working as a Prison Officer at a Young Offenders institute and thanks Middlesbrough College’s Public Service course for helping to get her there.

In 2011 Charlotte enrolled onto the Public Services programme at Middlesbrough College and absolutely loved it. She said “I wasn’t the brightest at school and I hated being stuck in a classroom. The Public Services course at Middlesbrough College was perfect for me as it was hands-on, practical and lots of fun!

“My tutors were really supportive of me and I got great advice from the Careers Team. We had industry experts from the Police department come in to speak to us too, so I got a real insight into working in the sector.”

The Public Services course at Middlesbrough College helps prepare students for the fitness requirements of the sector and it was at College where Charlotte discovered her love for volleyball. She decided to take up volleyball as an enrichment activity at College and still enjoys playing the sports in her spare time. Since leaving College Charlotte was scouted to represent the North East for volleyball and thanks tutor Paul Welsh for encouraging her to join the team at College!

She said “Fitness was a huge part of the course and is still a massive part of my job. I have to do regular fitness tests and Middlesbrough College definitely helped me prepare for this. I also discovered how much I enjoy playing volleyball – it’s so much fun and helps keep to keep me fit for my job.

“Being a Prison Officer is something I knew I wanted to do since I was 16 and it is everything I thought it would be. I love my job- no day is the same which is challenging but very rewarding.

“My advice to anyone who wants to work within the crime sector is to go for it. Don’t think you’re not clever enough!  If you want a fast paced job that keeps you on your toes and you are prepared to work hard for it then do it.”

Course: Public Services

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