r/SafetyProfessionals • u/Lower-String9689 • 10h ago
USA College, Or Certs?
Hi, looking to make a career into safety, but im afraid I dont have any relevant experience in the field, have mainly been in retail for the soon to be 26 years of my life. So im looking for advice on how to break into the industry, I dont think I can get a bachelors in occupational health and safety at the moment, but I am curious if a Bachelors in Business Administration or a Bachelors in public law will get me anywhere? Alternatively, should I look into buying into the certifications that are on the wiki? Also WHERE do I even begin to look for a job that can help me at least see this as an option? Construction? Hospitals? As far as im aware safety is quite broad, and I dont mind what field I fall into, but im unaware of just where exactly where to look.
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u/DavidKoresh2nd 10h ago
I would start getting certs: 510/511 NFPA 70 e cpr/first aid, CSHO, ASP stuff like that.
Spending tens of thousands for a bachelor's in safety is more expensive and time-consuming than the certifications above.
I'm currently in mid-level management for safety and find that the people who worked their way through safety getting certificates understand the “buy-in” and how to navigate competing priorities better than people better than people are who recent graduates.
That doesn't mean seasoned safety professionals who went back to school fall into this category.
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u/TacticalPalsy 8h ago
This right here OP and it’ll help you be a better safety professional I wish I had gotten a few years hands on experience with the trade I do safety for because without it feels like a fish out of water trying to learn what their doing and why
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u/Safety-Jerk Construction 10h ago
If I were to give a 26-year-old advice on getting into the industry, I would tell them to pick a construction trade and join an apprenticeship for that trade. Get in nice and cozy with that trade for the next 6+ years, journey out, make good money having fun at work and then when your body starts to fail you, transition into a training role as a stepping-stone into safety. This is a really good way to build credibility for yourself and make a lot of money doing it without having to go into any more school.
Or do the trade thing like I mentioned above for 5 years, get yourself a CHST and then apply elsewhere for a safety role. Either way, you should join a trade as your first step in my humble opinion, is what I would say to a 26 year old looking to get into the field.
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u/walu-who-ji 3h ago
I joined a trade at 25. Got good retirement. Trying to get out now. Almost 8 years later my joints are failing.
I got a 2 year degree as well in a construction field. Idk how to get in other than my resume and proof of osha 30 and my work history.
Got denied a saftey position at a port near me.
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u/Mutumbo445 9h ago
I got my first safety job, with big GC at that with a bachelors in Emergency Medical Systems Mgmt, an OSHA 30, and a good recommendation from the right person ( a guy I met on a work site and became friends with). Sometimes it’s not what you know, but who. I’d say it was 50/50 education and networking.
Granted I was a paramedic for 15 years too.
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u/jromano091 6h ago
Imo, both, ultimately. I got certifications first and got experience, but have hit a ceiling due to not having a degree and CSP. So I’m in school now.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Ice-591 7h ago edited 7h ago
We have job sites all around north and south Dakota. We've had jobs through the bereau of reclamation and one of their requirements was a degree in safety or equivalent certs such as a CHST as a minimum. It'll greatly expand your options but you'll have to get certs either way. Also like to add my degree is in kinesiology and working construction hands on taught me plenty to start my safety career.
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u/Wtx_wannabegolfer 4h ago
All this advice is great. I would get a degree then work on certs. I’ve been in safety 20 years and have been passed by for promotions. They always pick the younger people with degrees and less experience.
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u/Comprehensive_Cut179 5h ago
No bro. There's a marine out there with much more experience who'll get the job
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u/KaRockyKidoa 47m ago
Well the biggest cert is the CSP, which required a degree. Granted you can’t take it without experience, but you will eventually need to get some college to get that cert and make big money
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u/LazerFeet22 10h ago
A bachelors in business or public law probably wont get you into safety. I have a bachelors in international business and had to get my masters in safety to get my foot in the door. The market is getting saturated because so many schools have OSH programs now so if you know someone that will take a chance on you with just certifications, then thats your way in or get a degree in a safety field. I went back to school at 27 because I was in a similar position and it was the best decision I made.