Christmas 2007 was especially sweet for Corrections' 2008 Chief Executive Scholarship winners Anna Walters, Carolin Berry, David Cairns and Ngaire Skoglund.
All four left for the holiday break knowing they could embark on the final year of their undergraduate Honours, Masters or Doctorate degrees fully funded and able to study full-time.
The scholarships, awarded annually to four to six applicants, cover the cost of a year's paid study leave, course fees and text books.
To qualify, Anna, Carolin, David and Ngaire successfully showed that their study would benefit their career, support the Department's strategic goals and that it would be primarily New Zealand-based.
Anna Walters
Current role with Corrections:
Probation Officer
Length of employment with Corrections:
Two years
Study course being undertaken:
Bachelor of Health Science in Psychology - Honours
Reason for joining the Department:
I decided to join the Department as a probation officer following an 80-hour placement as a university student.
How your study will impact on your career and job:
The papers I have selected will give me the opportunity to focus on the assessment and rehabilitation of offenders. I hope to learn more skills in motivating our clients to address the causes of their offending, enabling them to make positive changes to their lives. I plan to undertake research in an area relevant to my role as a probation officer.
Carolin Berry
Current role with Corrections:
Senior Probation Officer
Length of employment with Corrections:
Seven years
Study course being undertaken:
Bachelor of Laws, LLB
Reason for joining the Department:
I applied for several 'social work' roles, including that of probation officer, upon returning from overseas where I'd worked as a social worker. I planned to work as a probation officer for six months, but I’m still here.
How your study will impact on your career and job:
Completing my law degree will open up a variety of options for me within the Corrections Department. The additional legal knowledge will assist in my current role as a senior probation officer, given the complex legal framework within which we work. Beyond this, I am interested in policy and management roles where I can further contribute to policy and projects involving legislative change and the management of community based sentences and orders.
Ngaire Skoglund
Current role with Corrections:
Unit Manager (Custodial Support)
Length of employment with Corrections:
Three years
Study course being undertaken:
MBA (Masters in Business Administration)
Reason for joining the Department:
I made a conscious decision to move from the private sector to a Government Department. My role as Unit Manager allows me to draw on both my management and policing backgrounds.
How your study will impact on your career and job:
It's always important to understand 'why and how' an organisation operates the way it does and how it intends to achieve its strategic goals. As Unit Manager, I need to interpret and understand organisational goals. My study is encouraging me to broaden my thinking and increase my knowledge in areas such as strategy, operations and policy.
David Cairns
Current role with Corrections:
Senior Corrections Officer, Christchurch
Length of employment with Corrections:
Twelve years
Study course being undertaken:
Bachelor of Applied Science in Psychology
Reason for joining the Department:
A cousin employed as a Corrections nurse suggested I would enjoy the job and encouraged me to join.
How your study will impact on your career and job:
My special interest is the custodial management of prisoners with serious mental health issues and the identification and management of suicide risk. I hope that the knowledge gained will benefit the health professionals, custodial staff and prisoners I work with. I plan to develop strategies which will ensure it does.
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ISSN 1178-8453