I received this note from a SafetyXChange member in response to my article on how to study for the CSP examination. I suspect many people are in the same boat as J.P., so I’m sharing our conversation with you.

Dear Mr. Weissman,

I found your recent article on SafetyXChange very helpful. I have been looking for ways to increase my marketability by obtaining licenses and certifications. The only training I have is what I have sought out for myself. I always thought I knew all I needed to know but while job searching I realized there are a lot of certifications out there and I won’t get anywhere without pursuing them. I just don’t know where to start or what to get.

Right now, I have the OSHA 30 hour course for general industry. It appears as though the CSP certification would be immensely helpful to me but is this a first step I should be looking at or should I be looking at other avenues building up to the CSP certification? I have a BS in Sociology and I have been wondering about going back to school to get my degree in OHS but the costs in this economy are making me think twice. I already have a kid in college and a 14 year old that will be looking to college in just a few years! My company is also struggling and getting my boss to pay for any thing is almost certain to be a resounding “NO!!” I don’t think he will even approve of me joining the local ASSE chapter. I have been to their website on the recommendation of one on the city council members I contacted last fall. I guess my question is “what is the best next step for someone in my situation?”

J. P.

Dear J.P.:

From what you've written, I would guess that you are late 30's - early 40's so you have a long way to go before you can retire.

Take a look at the various colleges in your area to see if they have a certification program in safety. The community colleges may have either a certication program or an AA program in the field. Check out the California Safety Council at http://list.nsc.org/california/ for the list of training courses they offer. Taking these certification courses can provide you with more background in the technology and chemicals areas that are needed for the CSP.

If you check with your accountant, the cost of training to MAINTAIN your skills may be deductible on your taxes. Training to change jobs is not, from what I understand.

Check with ASSE (local chapter and national), AIHA (local section and national) and other similar organizations for scholarship money. They are looking to give money away for people to get involved in the field.

JP - having said all of that, you need to invest in yourself. A certificate program is only an intermediate step. You may also have to think about changing jobs. When I got my CSP, I went to my boss and said, "O.K., I've got my CSP. What are you going to do for me?" He said that he couldn't do anything. A few years later, when I changed jobs, the CSP brought me a few thousand dollars more in salary.

Good luck and let me know how you make out.

Regards,
Barry R. Weissman, CHMM, CSP
bweissman@hillmanngroup.com
www.hillmanngroup.com

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