Mitesh is mentored to a new career

Mitesh Lakhani hasn’t looked back since his graduation from Teesside University, as he now has a new career with the Serious Fraud Office.

Mitesh, 25, from Enfield, North London, pictured left, gained his post as an IT Forensic Investigator after finishing his BSc (Hons) Digital Forensics and gaining a first class degree.

He has joined the digital forensic unit team, where he will play his part in ensuring that the recovery and processing of electronic evidence is undertaken using industry best practice.

Mitesh said of his new role: 'I really enjoy working as part of a team as I get to work with some of the industry’s most knowledgeable professionals. This is giving me the opportunity to further my knowledge in the digital forensics field and gain vital experience which will enable me to become a successful senior investigator in the near future.'

Patryk Gawronski heads up the unit and said: 'Mitesh’s conscientious approach is commendable. He’s picked things up quickly and slotted into the team effortlessly.'

While studying at Teesside, Mitesh enrolled on the University’s DiversiTees scheme in his final year. DiversiTees is a positive action mentoring scheme which aims to enhance the career prospects of certain groups of students, including black and minority ethnic, disabled and mature.

It matches students with a volunteer mentor from an organisation in the North East, providing opportunities for work shadowing and work experience, along with general career advice. Mitesh’s mentor was Detective Constable Geoff Cox from Cleveland Police, pictured right. Geoff himself graduated from the University in the same week at Mitesh, achieving a Master of Arts in Financial Investigations and Financial Crime.

Mitesh said: 'I feel absolutely privileged that I was given the opportunity to be mentored by not only an experienced Detective but also an experienced mentor.

'DC Geoff Cox had taken the time and also a lot of effort to make sure that all of the areas I wanted to learn, and experience by him were achieved.

'Once I had completed my industrial placement, I had a clear understanding that I would want to be involved within law enforcement, tackling e-crime, preferably fraud. I discussed this with my mentor and he made sure I gained the vast knowledge I have now for what is required by law enforcement fraud investigators.

'Not only was I taught about the different roles the law enforcement officers play, but I was also given the opportunity to experience these. I spent time with uniformed officers and also with digital forensic investigators which allowed me to get a hands-on experience of what it would be like working within the police force as a digital forensic investigator. Without being a part of DiversiTees I would have never had such a learning experience. DiversiTees has definitely played a great role for me in achieving a first class honours degree and also getting to work for a large government organisation as my first job.'

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