Environmental Health Careers:
Environmental Health specialists focus on the health of human populations in regards to environmental hazards to humans (Maxwell, 2009). I did not realize that environmental health specialists monitored so many different things. I always assumed that they just focused on air, land and water. I found it interesting that they also monitor toxic substances, noise pollution and are involved in restaurant inspections (careersenvhealth.com). Environmental scientists use their knowledge of natural resources and life sciences to protect the environment (bls.gov).
Before researching into Environmental Health I never realized that there were different career paths that could be taken within the field. I think if I choose a career path in environmental health I would be a toxicologists or an epidemiologists. Toxicologists study living organisms and the affects that toxic substances and radiation has on the organisms (careersenvhealth.com). After I had graduated from Clemson University the college started a major in Toxicology. I would have loved to have taken some classes in the major. Working as an epidemiologists would also be another interesting profession. I love how epidemiologists are considered the “disease detectives” because they study how diseases are transmitted and how to prevent them (careersenvhealth.com).
Another great thing I learned is that there are so many branches an environmental health specialist can work at. They can work at a state or local health department, a non-profit organization, private corporations and even teach about environmental health issues (careersenvhealth.com). In was estimated that in 2010 there were 89,400 jobs as an environmental health specialist or environmental scientist (bls.gov). A majority of these jobs were state government jobs that excluded education and hospitals (bls.gov).
The job outlook for environmental specialists looks promising. There is expected to be a nineteenth percent increases in the profession from 2010 to 2020 (bls.gov). It is projected that most growth will occur in the private sector (bls.gov). This growth is due to the fact that there is a growing interest in environmental health issues like clean water, protecting the ozone and protecting the population from emerging infectious diseases. With the economy still not the best, the fact that jobs are available in the field of environmental health is a great thing.
References:
Environmental Scientists and Specialists. (2013). Job Outlook. Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/environmental-scientists-and-specialists.htm#tab-6
Association of Environmental Health Academic Programs (2013). What is Environmental Health. Retrieved from http://www.careersenvhealth.com/
Maxwell, N. (2009). Understanding Environmental Health. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett