Catherine’s a First Class Consumer Watchdog

Catherine Andison is set for a diverse career as a Trading Standards Officer, thanks to her First Class BSc (Hons) degree in Applied Science and Consumer Law from the University of Teesside. Not only did she come top of her year with a First Class degree, but Catherine also gained the Avery Berkel UK Prize and the SK Chilled Foods Ltd Prize.

Catherine, 21, of Southcote, Whickham, Newcastle, will graduate from the University on Wednesday 22 November at 4pm. She is now working as a trainee Trading Standards Officer for Gateshead Council. Catherine first became interested in a consumer-related career at the age of 17, and contacted the Council for advice.

“Originally I was going to study Bio-Chemistry, but then heard about the Applied science and Consumer Law degree. The council’s trading standards staff told me which Universities offered the course, and I chose Teesside,” said Catherine.

She came to the Middlesbrough-based University with three good ‘A’ levels in Biology, Chemistry and English Literature from St Thomas More Secondary school in Blaydon. Gateshead Council paid for Catherine’s books, and she also worked in their Trading Standards Department during vacations.

Catherine added: “The degree is tailored towards a career in trading standards. The course modules are relevant and interesting, such as weights and measures and the legal aspects. With the latter, we looked at food law and criminal law, which is invaluable, as we need to know how the courts work.

“The course lecturers are informal and approachable and you got to know your fellow students really well.”

Catherine now has to complete 18 months training and gain a Diploma in Trading Standards. In future she is interested in exploring the area of urban policy and regeneration. She is daughter of Brenda and Phillip Andison and the first in her family to graduate from University

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