There is no one right path in life.
Opportunities present themselves (often at unexpected times), and it's up to us to decide whether or not to continue on, or follow that fork in the road.
Some fields have strict educational and/or credentialing requirements for who can pursue that career—and continue to practice it, such as doctors, nurses, lawyers, nail technicians, electricians and HVAC technicians.
Safety is not one of those fields.
We know some people who entered the safety profession directly after graduating with a bachelor's degree at the ripe age of 21. But we know many more who stumble upon the safety profession. This could include entry into safety following a career in the military, promotions from the shop floor or being called to safety following a workplace safety accident affecting someone personally or somebody they know.
Whatever the path, you have all found your way to safety. We wanted to know more about you, your experiences and your opinions, specifically regarding safety training and education. So, we went straight to the source.
Earlier this year, we polled the EHS Today audience. Nearly 400 safety professionals were kind enough to share their paths to safety. We are sharing the results so you can learn from your peers. Feel free to leave a comment below about your own journey to safety or your thoughts on safety training and education.
