Jobs for the Major
How this major affects a job search
People who choose majors like this one are really doing college right on at least one level. While many others are running around, finding themselves, and learning about German Impressionist Flower Arranging, you're learning about a real job in the real world. When you're spat out on the other end of your college career, it'll be with a career path in mind. That's comforting right?
The flip side to that is you can feel limited by such a narrow focus. What if you don't want to be an occupational health and safety specialist? What are you going to do? Panic, probably. Well…there, there. Fortunately, your major is a bit more versatile than a single field. Not overtly so though, so make sure you really like to make people safe at work before pursuing it.
Common Career Fields
Occupational Health and Safety Specialist. Let's get this one out of the way up front. When you were looking at the major, this was probably the job you had in mind. You'll inspect businesses for safety violations and tell the higher-ups that they need to be corrected. Chances are, you're working for OSHA, a federal agency. You're basically the FBI for workplace safety.
Occupational Health and Safety Technician. This is the Riggs to the Specialist's Murtaugh. Not only do you take notes alongside the specialist, but you fix and maintain any safety equipment that you provide or have on-hand.
Safety Coordinator. Instead of working for a federal organization, maybe you would rather work in the private sector. Some companies, especially the bigger ones, employ a safety coordinator. Ever hear the saying, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?" Well, you're the ounce, preventing things like injuries, which would open the company up to liabilities. Paying for safety measures now is cheaper than ponying up the cash in court settlements.
Occupational Health Nurse. Do you know what worker's compensation is? If not, you've probably at least heard the term "worker's comp," usually said by a character on TV while hilariously clutching his injured back. The occupational health nurse monitors the progress of the injured worker and coordinates with the employer. This ensures that everyone gets what they need: the worker gets all the recovery time they need and the company doesn't pay out more than it has to.
Safety Health Consultant. The wandering samurai of the occupational health and safety world, the safety health consultant travels from company to company telling people what they're doing wrong. You're heading problems off before they cost any money. Plus, you get to walk into a place, investigate it thoroughly, and start barking orders like you're the boss. Sure, you have to phrase it as "suggestions," but come on. Everyone knows what you mean.
Manufacturing Safety Specialist. As it turns out, industrial equipment can be pretty dangerous. This happens when you have huge, metal machines with big, chompy sections and gnashing blades. These things can maim and kill like nothing else. Thus these types of places can use specialists on-hand to teach everyone how not to fall into the machines. It's a living, thanks to you.
Occupational Therapist. (Requires a nursing degree) People who do get injured on the job after other people mess up on their jobs need to get better. If they're hurt severely, they'll need rehabilitation time and someone working with them. That's the occupational therapist or the occupational RN. You use your knowledge of health and safety to cater specifically to the injuries suffered and to bring the person back to their former glory. Whatever that may be.
Current unemployment of the major
5.1%Percentage of majors who get a higher degree after college
N/AStats obtained from this source.