Sophie’s sights set on law enforcement

Aiming to work for a crime-fighting agency is what Sophie Preisendoerfer feels Teesside University has helped her work towards.

Having graduated from the BSc (Hons) Crime and Investigation, Sophie has her sights set on working for an intelligence organisation involving law enforcement.

Sophie is originally from Germany and currently lives in London. She initially moved to Yorkshire around five years ago as she wanted to study at an English university.

She said: 'I was born in Germany, where I went to school and completed my A-levels, but as mum’s family is from Yorkshire I wanted to explore my roots and continue my education in England.

'I decided to come to Teesside University after doing some research into the courses available. I really liked that it was a multidisciplinary degree, really practical and hands-on.

'I was really attracted to the fact that it wasn’t just theory, there were lots of practical elements and the facilities were brilliant, from the crime scene house to the crime lab and the mock court room.'

Sophie added: 'I really feel that Teesside University has put me on the path I need to be on to pursue the career I want. I learned so many life skills and how to present myself, along with the importance of transferable skills. Employability was a really important focus of the degree.

'The University is so compact with everything in walking distance. Teesside University is like a family and I've made some lifelong friends.'

She added: 'I can vividly remember how over the moon I felt to initially discover I'd achieved my degree and to then also be told that I'd also been awarded the Cleveland Police Prize for my dissertation.

'It felt so amazing and proved that all the hard work and all-nighters in the University Library had paid off. I loved every second of my time on the course and at Teesside University.'

Sophie, who is currently working on the MSc Countering Organised Crime and Terrorism at University College London, said: 'My dream is to work for Interpol or a British intelligence agency, involved in tackling and fighting crime in some way.

'I really feel that Teesside University has played a vital role in getting me to where I want to be to pursue a career in fighting crime.'

Commenting on the Cleveland Police Prize, which has been awarded annually to a Teesside University graduate for the past 12 years, Cleveland Police Chief Constable Jacqui Cheer said: 'It's great to see what an influence the prize has had on winners over the years and it's made me really happy speaking to Sophie and also meeting some of the past prize winners. We’re really proud of our connection with the University and sponsoring this award.'

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