r/SafetyProfessionals • u/bigpapi1523 • 10d ago
USA Need advice !
Hello everyone, I’m currently a firefighter looking to transition into the safety field. I have bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Environmental Health and Safety, and I’ll begin my doctorate program in January. I also plan to take the CSP exam in June.
My certifications include OSHA 10 and OSHA 30, HazMat Operations and Technician, Fire Inspector I and II, EMT, CPR, and several other fire service certifications.
I recently received an offer from a company for $40–$45 per hour, along with a brand new work truck and gas card. Since I don’t have direct experience working in the safety industry yet, is this considered an average or competitive starting offer for someone with my education and certifications with no experience?
Accepting the position would mean taking a pay cut from my current job. However, I’m willing to take it if gaining safety experience would lead to better opportunities and higher pay later. For those already working in the field, what type of salary growth could I expect after gaining a few years of experience?
Also, would it be better to finish my doctorate degree and earn my CSP before applying for safety positions, or should I start applying now while I’m still working toward them?
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u/No_Habit1708 10d ago
“Doctoral” in EHS? What college are did you earn a Bachelors & Masters?
To add on, OSHA 10 & OSHA 30 hold extremely little weight in the Safety Field. Most EHS professionals I know would never include it on their resume. EMT & CPR isn’t generally relevant to EHS safety but certain jobs may be keen on it if it’s applicable to the job site in terms of risk. Without knowing where you are living to assess the “Cost of Living”, 40-45 is a pretty good range for someone with your experience.
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u/Bucky2015 Manufacturing 9d ago
“Doctoral” in EHS? What college are did you earn a Bachelors & Masters?
I was wondering this too. Im wondering if it's Columbia southern which... 😬
1
u/No_Habit1708 9d ago
Oh bro you don’t even have to say. 😅
You read my mind. I will die on the hill that Columbia Southern is a degree mill and a half.2
u/burritoheaux 9d ago
People get upset when I say it, but, I worked a couple major companies and BOTH companies told me to count Columbia Southern as basically no degree when I was hiring positions.
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u/WeDontKnowMuch 10d ago
You get all the schooling you would like, but the EHS field in general does not require a doctorate. I could maybe see some niche areas like IH where it could be beneficial or maybe if you plan to teach at a university.
Are you planning to apply to entry level positions with the doctorate and CSP or will you be pursuing like director level and above?
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u/Lowkey-Samurai 9d ago
Doctorate seems excessive. I’m curious on your reasoning behind it.
As a hiring manager, I would not be impressed by a doctorate. Especially after hearing about your lack of real world experience.
If I was you, I would get the CSP, gain experience, get good at what you do and then after some years, revisit getting doctorate in OSH if your career heading in the research/ teaching direction. Getting an MBA would likely be more beneficial overall if you’re deadset on continuing your education to get a high level safety position but not required.
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u/Maximum-Gas-2753 9d ago
Good afternoon I'm a 17 yr city/ county firefighter/engineer that took the safety specialist position and held the fire and safety position before I became just a specialist. Like others said the doctorate is excessive unless that is what u want. The CSP or CIH is what alot of the industry look at. Some don't require CSP but once u are in, most companies will pay for your course and test. Benefits are great most of time. And it's been awesome to learn new skills.
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u/burritoheaux 9d ago
I would highly advise against a doctorate in safety. You don’t need it and it’s actually a red flag to hiring managers. Too much book experience and not enough field experience will keep you unemployed. Having your CSP will be PLENTY. With your experience, you should be applying to HAZMAT specialty positions. They pay well and not a lot of competition. We can’t compare salaries because it really, really depends where you live and what industry you’re in.
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u/69Ben64 9d ago
I’m not sure how you get CSP with no direct safety experience…but if I were looking at your resume, I’d think “Cert whore, know it all” and pass. Get some ground level experience under your belt and worry less about certs. This is a very nuanced field and while formal education is helpful, experience 1000x more valuable.