Many people are already doing investigative work but may not realise it. QUT Online’s Graduate Certificate in Investigations and Intelligence helps students to cement their skills with practical, real world frameworks and progress towards careers in intelligence analysis.
A growing need to meet public expectations
When people think of investigations, their mind often goes to the police force or private investigations. The reality is that whether it’s a government department responsible to for enforcing environmental regulations or a private company ensuring HR processes are properly followed, there are countless organisations across Australia that require professionals with this skillset. Any organisation that needs to understand whether rules, policies or standards have been followed, needs people with investigative capability. As public expectations around due process rise, so too does the demand for skilled investigators.
What does an investigator do
Investigations are fact finding exercises which seek to look at all available information to properly understand what has happened. While this might sound like a simple task, when there are numerous parties involved as well as various dates, locations and also digital information, the process can get complex quite quickly. Intelligence is all about the information and evidence gathered in this process. Given the complexity that can be present, it’s very important to ensure that someone with the right skills and training is delivering this work.
Who works in this field
Beyond traditional roles in policing and private investigation, there are many fields that require professionals skilled in investigations and intelligence. Online Learning Advisor Alex Wilson has himself applied the skillset in his career that has spanned defence roles as well as the private sector. “Wherever there is an organisation, both public and private, that requires regulations to be followed, there is a role for investigations and intelligence,” he says. “We see this reflected in the breadth of professional experience in our students such as banks and financial institutions as well as the public service and retailers.” Investigators can be responsible for understanding whether regulations have been followed, ensuring HR matters are properly dealt with and also interpreting the intelligence gathered through the process. Organisations need people who can gather information properly, make sense of evidence and reach fair decisions.
Why formal training matters
When investigations are weak or carried out in an ad-hoc fashion, there is a reputational risk for the organisation and also personal risks for all parties involved. Alex Wilson says that poor investigative process can stem from organisations not realising that there is a specific skillset needed to carry them out effectively. Without this people may unintentionally bring biases into their work or misunderstand the cultural reasons that lead to people behaving in certain ways. “It can often be the case that people are put into investigative roles because of their deep organisational knowledge, but without formal investigative training,” he says. “Investigative staff need to understand what due process looks like as well as the frameworks to follow which ensure fairness for all parties involved.”
A practical course for careers in investigation and intelligence
QUT Online’s Graduate Certificate in Investigations and Intelligence was developed because of a recognised need for professionals to be effective in this space. Dr Shannon Colville, a lecturer from the School of Justice, says the Australian Institute of Professional Investigators as well as the Australian Institute of Professional Intelligence Officers were consulted during course development. “We wanted to ensure that students were able to learn relevant theoretical concepts and frameworks whilst also getting the practical grounding to be effective in their roles,” she says. “The course has been designed so that it’s relevant for people already working in the space or those wanting to get their foot in the door.”
QUT Online also recognises that students may be undertaking higher education or online learning for the first time and want to ensure they are set up for success. Academic Delivery Lead Danielle Miller plays a key role in ensuring this is the case “We design our content so students can engage with it in a way that is clear, practical and meaningful,” she says. “We want them to feel confident that what they are learning is current, relevant and applicable.”
How investigation and intelligence connect
It is quite common for investigators to see intelligence analysis as a career progression pathway. For this reason the course also equips students to effectively gather intelligence during the investigative process. “It is critical that good investigators have the skills to understand what intelligence is telling them,” says Dr Colville. “It’s not only a career progression path but also a tool in the investigative process for making better decisions by turning facts and clues into clear insights.”
Beyond intelligence gathering, the course also focusses on analytical thinking, ethical judgement and effective communication. “There are so many skills that go into becoming a good investigator and we want to really set students up so they can thrive in this profession,” says Dr Colville. “There is a real focus on procedural fairness which includes respect for diversity and overall objectivity not just in theory, but from a practical perspective as well.”
To learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Investigations and Intelligence, join Dr Shannon Colville, Danielle Miller and Alex Wilson for an online webinar on Wednesday June 17 at 6pm. The session will look at the academic aspects of the course including learning outcomes as well as what is involved from a practical perspective. Register now to secure your spot.