Empowered by experience, criminal justice graduate Natalia takes a new path

As a mum to three tamariki | children in Invercargill, there's no way Natalia Clarke could have gained her Certificate in Criminal Justice without flexible online learning. Graduating in September, Natalia grows a growing group of professionals with specialist skills in criminal justice.

As Associate Professor Dr Helen Farley said, graduates like Natalia are now “knowledgeable about the myriad societal factors contributing to criminal behaviour, recognising that it is not solely about individual actions. With a strong foundation in ethics, they will be professionals of integrity, capable of making sound decisions.”

Read more about Natalia’s story below and more from Dr Farley on the significance of her cohort.

Why did you choose to study the online Certificate in Criminal Justice? 

I chose to study the online Certificate in Criminal Justice because I've always been interested in crime and justice. As a child, I dreamed of being a private investigator, but my teenage years led me in a different direction.

Growing up, my father was in and out of prison, and my partner of three years is currently in prison. These experiences have taught me a lot about what prisoners and their families go through. I wanted to learn more so I could better understand and help, which is why I decided to study criminal justice.

What were you doing before this and what inspired you to study?

I’ve been a stay-at-home mum to three kids for 11 years. In 2023, I studied health and wellbeing and did some work in that area. Although it was rewarding, I realised my true passion is working in the criminal justice sector.

How did you balance study with your other commitments? 

As a solo parent, I had to manage my time well. I usually spent three to four hours studying each day while the kids were at school, and about an hour at night finishing or touching up on my work after they went to bed. The hardest part was during school holidays, but I’m lucky to have a supportive family who helped with the kids when I needed extra time to study.

What have you found most interesting or helpful about the programme? 

I found most of the topics really interesting! I didn’t think I’d enjoy the Ethics, Politics and Justice (PHIL139) course, but it turned out to be my favourite course.

The online format was very helpful for me because I’m always at home, prefer studying alone, and learn better from home than in a big classroom.

What is your next step after graduation? What are your hopes for the future? 

After graduation, my main goal is to find a job in the criminal justice field that suits my personal and family situation. Looking ahead, I hope to become someone who speaks up for people who can't advocate for themselves, such as people in prison. I want to be involved in improving how prisoners are rehabilitated.

My vision is to work with a team dedicated to creating programmes in prisons that focus on addressing trauma, including the impact of childhood trauma and intergenerational trauma.

Feeling inspired? Learn more about our innovative Certificate in Criminal Justice programme and take the next step towards a purposeful career in criminal justice!