Jasmine Cobb

Current Employer/Organisation Name

Womble Bond Dickinson

What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?

I did my undergraduate at Exeter (Sociology and Criminology) and after graduating in 2023 I joined the Police to become a detective studying a Bachelors diploma in Policing with University of South Wales. However, I then left the Police last year as although I was certain that a pathway in Law was of interest to me, perhaps I had approached it at the wrong angle.

I came across and applied for an apprenticeship in the legal sector which is what I’ve been doing since the start of 2025. I didn’t realise it was an option to me before, but I do think my Sociology and Criminology degree made me stand out from over 1000 applicants. I am now studying (another) undergraduate degree in Law with University of Law, which is fully funded by my workplace alongside working full time in Bristol at a law firm, specifically with Corporate Finance solicitors.

Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?

Law has always been of interest to me but if I’m completely honest I didn’t think it was possible for me to do it at undergraduate. I had studied health studies at college and come from a single parent household where none of my immediate family have ever been to higher education. I think I didn’t think I was smart enough to study Law and thought it was a subject that you needed to have connections within to do well. Although my journey into my current career is definitely not typical and I took the longer route, I wouldn’t change anything about my career progress or education because I truly feel that everything needed to happen in order for me to be where I’m at now. I approached Law from a criminal standpoint and it helped me develop and understand what I really wanted from a long-term career. I think it’s important for anyone considering going to university that they don’t need to have it all figured out and a degree should be seen as something that opens doors for you rather than feel trapped into deciding your whole career trajectory at 18.

Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?

I was affiliated to Muay Thai through housemates and my passion for fitness really started in 2nd and 3rd year of university with gym and on-campus fitness classes.

What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?

Forensic science was my favourite module which was in second year. I found myself really interested in it and it helped me explore potential career options within the police. Surprisingly I actually really enjoyed my Dissertation, which I know some people dread just because of how big of a piece of work it is. My chosen subject was ‘A Phenomenological study into spiking in Exeter: From Police and Victim Perspectives’. I found it really rewarding to do a piece on a real-word issue and make a difference to the victims who shared their story with me, which was a healing experience for us both.

What did you most enjoy about studying here?

I think Exeter as a city is great, I always felt safe and I think I really grew as a person and figured out my passions. I worked as an interior designer alongside studying which allowed me to rent my own flat in my final year and really experience living alone in my twenties (which I highly recommend if that’s an option for you).

Why did you choose to study at Exeter?

Exeter is recognised as a great university in terms of the quality of education you receive. I have now been a student at 3 different universities and I would say that Exeter was the best. For me, Exeter is relatively close to home (1-2 hours) and having family close was a nice privilege to have. But it was also far enough away for me to have my own space and explore somewhere new that I can now go back and visit and reminisce.

What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?

Although I’m not technically using my Sociology and Criminology degree, without it I wouldn’t have got into the Police. Without that, I wouldn’t have discovered it ultimately wasn’t for me but also, I can’t express the amount of life experience that career gave me in a relatively short time. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done but it gave me a lot to talk about in interviews! I think my work experience alongside my Exeter degree really gave me the edge to get my apprenticeship, as there were so many applicants and stages of interviewing.

What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?

I’d probably tell them to do an undergraduate in Law to avoid the long process I’ve done. But, I’d just say don’t feel like your degree subject defines your whole career. Even just knowing how to properly write an essay, understand referencing and read academic literature are skills I learnt at Exeter and have used them ever since.

What are your plans for the future?

Finish my second degree in Law, complete my SQE exams and qualify as a solicitor.