Psychology student nets dream job to fight crime as a detective

A former personal trainer has become the first in her family to graduate from university and has secured her dream job as a detective with Essex Police.

Phebe-Lee Want, 23, will soon swap her graduation scroll for a police badge after completing her undergraduate psychology degree at the University of Essex.

The Essex resident says she is looking forward to using the skills and determination she gained at university to help keep her home county safe.

Phebe-Lee received her degree during summer graduation, where she celebrated alongside 2,710 other graduands and more than 6,900 guests at the Colchester Campus.

Relive the celebrations in the gallery below

Incredibly, Phebe-Lee was initially hesitant to pursue a degree and might still be working in a gym rather than joining the thin blue line.

After coming through Clearing, completing a foundation course, and receiving support from her supervisor, Dr Paul Hanel, she is now ready to launch her new career.

“I never considered going to university until an old boyfriend suggested it to me, but my parents didn’t really understand it, and they didn’t encourage me to go,” she said.

“I have a history of an eating disorder, so I’ve always been infatuated with mental health, and I was really drawn to psychology as it’s all about the things you can’t see.

“Finding the foundation course at Essex felt like striking gold, as I was struggling to find other universities.”

After a tough start, her parents eventually came around to the idea of university.

“They have never been so proud of me,” she said.

While studying, Phebe-Lee became fascinated with the criminal side of psychology after her mum began studying a forensic A-level course in her spare time.

"I think it’s the morals that Essex Police follow that made me want to work with them," she said.

"No other career appealed to me more, and it just suited me perfectly.

"The department and the university were really supportive, and my supervisor, Paul Hanel, is now even talking about publishing my dissertation.

"Everyone has been really encouraging, and the skills and expectations to meet deadlines and do a good job at university have helped me in my new job.

"Just knowing someone is relying on you to do a good job is so inspiring to me."

Away from the lecture hall, Phebe-Lee says meeting her best friend was the best part of university, as she wouldn’t have been able to do it without her.

Speaking to any prospective student considering studying at Essex, Phebe-Lee said: 

Phebe-Lee entered Essex Police through the Investigate First scheme, a two-year programme that develops future detectives.

A spokesperson for the force said: "We’re proud to be an organisation with values that appeal to the right people, for the right reasons.

"The hard work and dedication shown by Phebe-Lee mean she is well-positioned for a career in policing, particularly on the detective pathway.

"The people causing harm in our neighbourhoods are not always immediately visible.

"The skills our detectives have mean we can identify who they are, pursue them, and ultimately take them off our streets to make Essex a safer place.”