Brief Summary
This video provides five key considerations for safety professionals deciding whether to pursue a degree, advanced degree, or certifications to further their careers. It emphasizes defining short-term and long-term career goals, evaluating resume strengths and weaknesses, assessing the overall investment and potential return, and considering intangible factors like work-life balance. The video also acknowledges the value of experience and encourages open-minded hiring practices.
- Define short-term and long-term career goals.
- Evaluate resume's strengths and weaknesses.
- Get clear on the overall investment and the return potential.
- Consider the intangible factors like work-life balance.
- Acknowledge the value of experience.
Intro
Rachel from Ally Safety addresses a common question from health and safety professionals: whether to pursue a degree, an advanced degree, or certifications. She aims to provide viewers with five considerations to help them make the best choice for their unique situations. The advice is based on feedback from a LinkedIn post, an article on the American Society for Safety Professionals (ASSP) website, personal experience, and conversations with other safety professionals.
Define Your Short-Term Goals
The first step is to assess your current position, whether you're actively seeking employment or considering a career change. If you lack a degree or certifications, securing a new job may be challenging, but it's still possible to start in safety, especially with your current employer, who may value your experience. For those with a degree but limited experience, certifications can help get your foot in the door. Regardless of your situation, evaluate your resume, salary, benefits, and the job market.
Define Your Longer Term Career Goals
Consider your career goals within a five-to-ten-year timeline. Research job postings for your desired position to identify required certifications, degrees, or both. Note the industry, as some, like high-tech manufacturing and academia, prefer master's degrees, while others, like construction, favor certifications. Target job posts that align with your ideal career path to understand employer expectations.
Evaluate Your Resume's Strengths and Weaknesses
Based on your current situation and desired career path, identify what you need to bridge the gap. If you have a degree but lack experience, certifications can enhance your credibility. Explore certifications from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) in the U.S. or NEBOSH internationally. Determine the positions you're interested in and build a resume that meets employer requirements. Consider getting certified first and then pursuing a master's degree, as the latter can help maintain recertification points.
Get Clear on the Overall Investment and the Return Potential
Evaluate the cost, time commitment, and potential salary increase associated with a degree or certification. Income potential doesn't always align with the investment differences. Calculate the costs, including tuition, books, childcare, transportation, application fees, renewal fees, and study materials. Recognize that some certifications may be prerequisites for higher-level ones. For MBAs, prioritize quality and invest in a well-known school. Use resources like the BCSP salary survey to estimate potential income based on credentials, location, and gender.
Consider the Intangible Factors
Consider less tangible returns, such as work-life balance and long-term career satisfaction. Evaluate potential trade-offs, such as sacrificing time at home to climb the corporate ladder or foregoing career opportunities for a desired location. Align your choices with your values. The book "Designing Your Life" is recommended for considering how you want to live your day-to-day life. Also, consider less common career paths, like teaching, where a master's degree may be more important than income potential. For international careers, seek advice from safety professionals with international experience.
Outro
To avoid feeling overwhelmed, start with small steps, such as researching requirements or sending emails for recommendations. The video concludes with a shout-out to safety professionals without degrees or certifications, acknowledging their real-world experience and value. Viewers are encouraged to share questions and advice in the comments.
