ADVANCEMENT OF THE PRACTICE
Environmental Health Sciences, 2019; Rocha et al., 2023; University of Pennsylvania, n.d.). These programs target disadvantaged juniors and rising seniors in public schools and are designed to promote college atten- dance in general and environmental health disciplines specifically. The portfolio of environmental health degrees spans the undergraduate and gradu- ate levels. Bachelor of science (BS) degrees are oered through many programs that often also oer specialty tracks such as health and safety management. At the graduate level, master of science (MS) and master of science in public health (MSPH) degrees provide opportunities to specialize in a wide variety of environmental health subspecialties as described in the career opportunities. A key aspect of this education are the mechanisms provided by programs accredited by EHAC, which provides the foundations required to translate science into practice to protect human health across multiple settings. Also, graduates are able to join the ranks of the registered environmental health specialists or registered sanitarians. The doctor of philosophy degree (PhD) in environmental health sciences often focuses on in-depth assessments of the impact on exposures to contaminants throughout the research continuum. This research can range from basic mechanistic inquiries to organ system damage and environmental epidemio- logic cohort studies. The PhD can also oer specialization in several toxicological sub- specialities including ecotoxicology, genetic toxicology, and organ-specific endpoint (e.g., reproductive, pulmonary, and renal toxicol- ogy). Within medicine, specialization and board certification in environmental and occupational medicine focus on the clinical aspects such as organ system damage and function. Depending on prerequisite course- work, graduates with environmental health science degrees can also pursue certification in industrial hygiene, a coveted professional certification. Several academic institutions oer some of these specialty tracks online, creating greater access for those already prac- ticing who want to augment their practical skills into a formal degree. Career Advancement Career advancement is both degree and employment sector specific. At the BS and
MS professional levels, employment often follows successful internships or co-ops. A benefit for the employer is that the newly hired environmental health professional can “hit the ground running,” decreasing the onboarding time and learning curve. Another advantage is that graduates of EHAC pro- grams, who have often received support from the Association of Environmental Health Academic Programs, will be trained in the benchmark qualification for government and military sectors (Ryan & Hall, 2022). Gradu- ates have the ability to capitalize on their edu- cation and eectively protect the health and well-being of others. The newly employed professional starts a career in a familiar setting without hav- ing to go through an extensive job search. This scenario is often the case in indus- try where hiring systems are more flexible than the public sector. Private sector career opportunities include pharmaceutical, oil, and mining industries; health and safety companies; manufacturing; engineering; healthcare; and a range of other industries. In the public sector, many opportunities exist within federal, state, tribal, local, and city governments and communities. Most career opportunities are in public health or environmental agencies. For those pursu- ing an academic career, the trajectory tra- ditionally involves obtaining a postdoctoral fellowship, followed by a faculty position and the opportunity to ascend in rank from assistant to full professor and over time in higher administrative positions. Given the plethora of options, environmental health science professionals can pursue multiple careers across dierent subspecialty areas and employment sectors. Corresponding Author: Kim M. Lichtveld, President, Association of Environmental Health Academic Programs; Chair, Depart- ment of Environmental, Safety, and Occupa- tional Health Management, The University of Findlay, 1000 North Main Street, Findlay, OH 45840. Email: lichtveld@findlay.edu. References Brooks, B.W., & Ryan, B.J. (2021). Building environmental public health back better. Environmental Science & Technology Letters , 8 (6), 443–444. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs. estlett.1c00391
Helpful Resources
Pathways to Becoming an Environmental Health Professional The road map towards environmental health science can start in primary school by con- sciously cultivating an awareness how the health of the environment is inextricably linked to that of people. Environmental health educators can play an important role in exposing high school science teachers and their students to environmental health. Examples include the Emerging Scholars Environmental Health Sciences Academy, Environmental Health Science Education, and Teen Research and Education in Envi- ronmental Science for High School Students (Covert et al., 2019; National Insitute of 7roD; or.(50A(;0o5: (+=o*(*@ or.(50A(;0o5: 5o5.o=er5me5;(l or.(50A(;0o5: • r0=(;e :e*;or e5er.@ 05+u:;r@ 7/(rm(*eu;0*(l: e5=0ro5me5;(l *o5:ul;05. 05:ur(5*e /e(l;/ (5+ :(-e;@ • ubl0* :e*;or e5;er: -or 0:e(:e o5;rol (5+ re=e5;0o5 $" 5=0ro5me5;(l ro;e*;0o5 .e5*@ **u7(;0o5(l "(-e;@ (5+ e(l;/ +m050:;r(;0o5 N(;0o5(l 5:;0;u;e -or **u7(;0o5(l "(-e;@ (5+ e(l;/ :;(;e (5+ lo*(l /e(l;/ +e7(r;me5;: Professional Organizations • mer0*(5 ubl0* e(l;/ ::o*0(;0o5 >>>(7/(or. • ::o*0(;0o5 o- 5=0ro5me5;(l e(l;/ *(+em0* ro.r(m: >>>(e/(7or. • ::o*0(;0o5 o- "*/ool: (5+ ro.r(m: o- ubl0* e(l;/ /;;7:(:77/or. • ::o*0(;0o5 o- ";(;e (5+ #err0;or0(l e(l;/ -D*0(l: >>>(:;/oor. • N(;0o5(l ::o*0(;0o5 o- ou5;@ (5+ 0;@ e(l;/ -D*0(l: >>>5(**/oor. • N(;0o5(l 5=0ro5me5;(l e(l;/ ::o*0(;0o5 >>>5e/(or. • N(;0o5(l 5=0ro5me5;(l e(l;/ "*0e5*e (5+ ro;e*;0o5 **re+0;(;0o5 ou5*0l >>>5e/:7(*or. • "o*0e;@ o- #o?0*olo.@ >>>;o?0*olo.@or. Employment Organizations • *(+em0( -ou5+(;0o5: 5o;-or
34
Volume 85 • Number 7
Powered by FlippingBook