Penelope Adams

Current Employer/Organisation Name

Devon & Cornwall Police

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

I took a risk and moved to Exeter to find a graduate job, and after a month or so of applying, I received a job offer from Devon & Cornwall Police as a Force Performance Analyst, working in Devon & Cornwall Police Headquarters in Exeter.

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

I chose this career because I always wanted to give back to society, and I found in this role, I can use my skills to help better not only Exeter, which I grew attached to during my time at the University, but also the entirety of the South West. 

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

I was a member of the Dance Society, BodySoc, Women in Business and briefly Rowing

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

I really enjoyed how much freedom I had over what I studied. Being able to pursue subjects that I found interesting meant that I felt very invested in the course and felt like the Business School was invested in me.

What did you most enjoy about studying here?

The societies and the sense of community it created. From it, I made lifelong friends outside of my course and memories that will forever be cherished. It made University not just about studying but about having fun too.

Why did you choose to study at Exeter?

I chose to study at Exeter because of its prestige as a Russell Group University and outstanding business school. Another important element that appealed to me was how green and filled with nature Exeter University is and how committed it is to being eco-friendly. 

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

My curiosity has been the most useful skill for my career, as an analyst we often are faced with a lot of results and it is easy to accept them if they are what we want to see. Questioning results and unpicking them, being curious about them, is a skill that not all analysts have but is greatly sought after. This curiosity was substantiated and encouraged by my behavioural economics modules at Exeter which I took throughout all three years. My knowledge of it helped separate me from the other analysts and stand out.

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

Trust in yourself. It can seem overwhelming at first, the responsibility, the subject matter, the pressure but you need to trust in your skills and abilities. Remember that you are there for a reason, be confident and unafraid to reach out if needed and everything will become a lot more manageable. 

What are your plans for the future?

I plan to advance in my career path and hopefully work across other forces in helping them improve for the better of society.