Studies in Occupational and Environmental Hygiene

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I was thinking of doing a degree in this field, what are the career prospects, study environment and work environment like?

Thanks!

[Windscar1137]

I was thinking of doing a degree in this field, what are the career prospects, study environment and work environment like?

Thanks!

Just graduated from this field myself and if you manage to land a job quickly, you will be set for life and if you are willing to travel, it will be pretty decent. If you don't intend to travel at all or plan to stay within GTA then it will take a while to get lucky.

The program is very reputable with good professors that are well known in the industry and they will get you pretty interested if you have the aspirations to work community service / customer service type of job.

There are two paths when you apply for this degree -- it is Occupational or Public Health. Environmental is something that is considered in both parts of the programs and they are very focused with some overlapping courses in first and second year. In first year you may have 1-2 courses that are occupational specific then more as you progress through the semesters.

Jobs to consider or you can look up to see if you like the field would include : Insurance Claims Coordinator (WSIB/General company claims), Health Inspectors (Public or Labour), Water/Environment/Occupational Hygienists, Lab Technicians and other ones related to courses that you will take. Examples: Ergonomics, Accident Theory, Radiation etc.

If you go Public health route, you will need to be speaking to the public and dealing with things such as restaurants, water wells, diseases, vaccinations, hospitals, city officials etc

If you go Occupational health route, you will be speaking to small groups of people and coordinating health and safety plans for employees and help employers mediate between governments and jurisdictions.

Occupational degree accepts fewer people into the program and is about 1/10 the size of Public Health degree.

Overall, the purpose is to protect the public or the employees from the dangers or worry about their concern of safety in various settings. It is very broad in where you can work for but you will also have specific knowledge for those jobs as well narrowed down in the courses you take.

If you have any other questions I will be glad to answer them.