Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2011 08:23:15 -0500
Reply-To: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
Sender: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
From: Secretary ACS DCHAS <secretary**At_Symbol_Here**DCHAS.ORG>
Subject: Follow up on Professional education strategies

I received several requests from list members to share the results of 
the information I was gathering on the above topic.  Since most of the 
responses below were sent directly to me, I have removed the author's 
names from the replies below to protect their privacy. I think that they 
are all helpful in addressing the questions raised.

Thanks to everyone for their response.

- Ralph 

===
We=E2=80=99re currently in the midst of hiring a safety engineering for 
our group.  It=E2=80=99s been an interesting process, to say the least.
 
The most interesting finding to us has been the persons=E2=80=99 
experience.  I say that because we found that the "better 
candidates=" are those people who came from robust 
programs/highly performing companies or those who aggressively sought 
out, sometimes on their own, to improve their knowledge in the field.  
It sounds simple but the difference in candidates was, in some 
instances, astounding.
 
Those who were not exposed to a robust background (for lack of a better 
term), did not have the skills necessary to do the job.  In fact, they 
usually spoke in very general terms about safety and their approach.
 
===
My perspective is that of an EH&S professional at an academic research 
institution.
 
- When hiring an EHS professional are you more likely to interested in a 
candidate's experience, or do certifications or graduate degrees carry 
more weight?  

Of course it depends on the duties and level (junior vs. senior) of the 
position, but assuming a minimum of a bachelor=E2=80=99s degree, 
generally experience (and knowledge gained from experience) is more 
important than graduate degrees or certifications.  More senior 
positions generally require both experience and a technical graduate 
degree.
 
- If graduate degrees are important, does it make a difference if they 
are on-line or in-person degrees?  

I=E2=80=99m probably a little traditional on this, but I tend to put 
more weight on in-person degrees from traditional colleges and 
universities.  I would probably weight an on-line degree from a 
traditional college or university only a little below the equivalent 
in-person degree.  This would probably be especially true if the broader 
graduate degree program were accredited.  If the candidate=E2=80=99s 
bachelor=E2=80=99s degree were in a science or engineering field I 
probably wouldn=E2=80=99t be too concerned about an on-line graduate 
degree if it were from a traditional C/U.  We have had candidates that 
received degrees from what I considered to be "paper mills.="
   I remember that one candidate had a bachelor=E2=80=99s, master=E2=80=99
s, and Ph.D., all just a year apart, from one of these 
"non-traditional=" universities.  This was viewed as a 
negative in the selection process and the candidate wasn=E2=80=99t 
offered the position.
 
- Are employers be more interested in hiring people with specific 
degrees (eg, Industrial Hygiene) or more general ones (eg, EHS 
Management)?  

I am generally most interested in candidates with technical degrees in 
science or engineering.  I consider industrial hygiene (at least an 
accredited program) to be at this technical level, and I=E2=80=99m sure 
that many undergraduate safety programs are as well.  I would judge an 
EH&S Management degree on its specific curriculum as they can vary 
widely in their technical content.
 
===
=E2=80=A8=E2=80=A8- When hiring an EHS professional are you more likely 
to interested in a candidate's experience, or do certifications or 
graduate degrees carry more weight? 

Experience - programs should have more internships so that students have 
opportunities=E2=80=A8=E2=80=A8

- If graduate degrees are important, does it make a difference if they 
are on-line or in-person degrees?

No, but any degree should have a reputable accreditation.

=E2=80=A8=E2=80=A8- Are employers be more interested in hiring people 
with specific degrees (eg, Industrial Hygiene) or more general ones (eg, 
EHS Management)? 

Noting that experience carries more weight with me, specific degrees are 
nice. but I would gravitate toward candidates with general degrees or 
classical degrees that tend to produce well rounded individuals 
(especially if they completed a minor w/ undergrad).

===
FWIW: I have never actually hired an EHS person [I worked in chemistry], 
but have rubbed elbows with many who have.

Question 1: Experience and degrees are both helpful.  Initially, a 
graduate degree can substitute for some experience.  Later, a graduate 
degree can help a lot with advancement, e.g. giving the person an edge 
over other candidates with roughly the same experience.  Experience is 
important, of course.   The Catch-22 for new grads is that they can't 
get many jobs because of a lack of experience, and can't get experience 
without having gotten a job.  So both can be very helpful, but you do 
have to get your foot in the door somewhere to get some experience, 
however lousy the job or pay might be.

Someone with just the right experience will often "fit in" with the 
least effort for the hiring person, but what kind of experience do you 
want, and where do you want to go?  Consider talking yourself into the 
job that you really want.

Question 2: Personally I would lean very much toward in-person degrees, 
because a) I worked for an educational institution, and am most 
convinced that students learn much much more than whatever the exams 
they passed might show.  Just like with one's children, students learn 
most of what they learn by example, experience, and personal interaction 
[vs. reading and exam-passing]; 
b) in an in-person program, they at least probably got to listen to and 
question some guest speakers, in addition to their individual teachers.  
That should add a lot.   
c)  We are all too-familiar with places that sell degrees.  At least 
there is some QC with accredited, on-the-ground institutions.

On the other hand, it certainly depends on one's personal situation.  If 
the candidate is married with three kids, and/or living far from an 
educational institution with an appropriate program, then I would 
totally understand his/her taking an on-line degree...That  would speak 
very well for her/his initiative and industry, and certainly add to 
their credentials.

Question 3: specific degrees or general--here again "it depends..."  It 
is the old breadth-vs-depth argument that those of us in Environmental 
Studies have had for decades.   Bottom line: you can't win; ideally you 
should have both.   For my two cents worth, I would say that most 
entry-level jobs tend to be more specialized, e.g. Air-sampling 
[analytical chemistry], hazardous waste handling [again, chemistry fits 
very well, but bio can too] well-logging [maybe geology]  inventory 
control [chemistry or biology?] etc. 

On the other hand, as one advances in the field, the more general stuff 
becomes much more important, e.g. Dealing with people [psychology, 
management, English, etc.], dealing with budgets [management, 
accounting, etc.] writing reports, grant proposals, etc. [English, etc.] 
 so the general degree in my perception becomes more valuable later on, 
though it can make the first-hire period more difficult, due to a 
perceived "lack of fit" on the part of the hiring person [or HR 
department].

One of our graduates who at the time was vice-president of an 
EHS-related lab, told me that she had often seen someone who was very 
good technically be promoted to a management position, then fall flat on 
their face, because s/he lacked the people skills that the new job 
required.

Most people with ads for IH positions that I have seen will gladly take 
someone with a degree in chemistry, biology, or engineering, for 
example, because those people have had some lab experience, and are 
comfortable with paying attention to details, following written 
directions, doing routine calculations, good record-keeping, etc.  
Candidates with "general" degrees can be at a real disadvantage there, 
though as mentioned above, their education/training can be most helpful 
later on.  However, the people skills can certainly be very helpful and 
important when trying to put a personal monitor on a person, deal with a 
shop steward, production manager, etc.

The degree can help you get in the door.  After that, as in any other 
field, it will be up to you...

Think about what you would really like to do, then head there.
Do your homework.
Know what you're talking about.
Get along with people.
Stand up for yourself.
--and you'll do just fine.

===
I personally always choose experience over certifications or specialized 
degrees. I usually need someone who can walk in and take off running. 
Last radiation positions was filled by a Physics teacher rather than by 
graduate degrees, filles both a biosafety and a chemical waste position 
by hiring staff away from waste contractors. Also filled a lab safety 
position by choosing an ex-lab manager with loads of mechanical 
knowledge rather than those with masters degrees.
 
I guess I look for people who know the job rather than people with 
advances science knowledge or the letters after their name and title.
 
===
A member of the division who is considering potential professional 
development opportunities is interested in comments from the list 
membership about some questions they're wondering about. Specifically:
 
- When hiring an EHS professional are you more likely to interested in a 
candidate's experience, or do certifications or graduate degrees carry 
more weight?
I look at both; however, certifications are important when all other 
factors are similar. 
 
- If graduate degrees are important, does it make a difference if they 
are on-line or in-person degrees?
In-person degrees tend to carry more clout =E2=80=93 unless an on-line 
degree is from a quality institution. On-line degrees from for-profits 
tend to be looked upon less favorably.
 
- Are employers be more interested in hiring people with specific 
degrees (eg, Industrial Hygiene) or more general ones (eg, EHS 
Management)?
It depends on the position to be filled.  For line positions (e.g., IH 
job), I tend to prefer someone with a specific degree =E2=80=93 unless a 
generalist degree is coupled with good experience that is specific to 
the position being filled.  A management position, however, might be 
best filled by an experienced  generalist who can see the big picture.

===
A quick response.  At the corporate level (and for some large 
Divisions), experts are needed while at the local level (factory, 
warehouse, lab, etc.) more generalists are needed.  Hence, for the 
corporate jobs there are requirements for technical degrees (including 
Masters level), experience and certifications or equivalent 
(certifications require experience).
 
I think few pay much attention to degree granting institutions unless it 
is one of the big recognized schools which gives an advantage.  However, 
bogus degrees from unaccredited universities are definitely a negative 
in big organizations.
 
This is my experience and I hope you find it useful.
 
===
Someone also asked about what institutions offer on-line masters degrees 
in industrial hygiene. A google search found this answer at

http://www.gradschools.com/search-programs/online-programs/industrial-hygi
ene
where 11 programs are identified.

Previous post   |  Top of Page   |   Next post



The content of this page reflects the personal opinion(s) of the author(s) only, not the American Chemical Society, ILPI, Safety Emporium, or any other party. Use of any information on this page is at the reader's own risk. Unauthorized reproduction of these materials is prohibited. Send questions/comments about the archive to secretary@dchas.org.
The maintenance and hosting of the DCHAS-L archive is provided through the generous support of Safety Emporium.