What can you do with a Occupational Safety and Health degree?

First, some facts. Of the Occupational Safety and Health graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 59 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 80%, Occupational Safety and Health graduates have a much higher likelihood (+13%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 80%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 25% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Occupational Safety and Health graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Occupational Safety and Health graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 98%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2017 from Southeastern Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Occupational Safety and Health. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Safety Intern
Dal-Tile Corporation
May 2017 - Aug 2017
As a Safety Intern, this role may provide some foundational experience relevant to occupational safety and health but does not fully utilize the core qualifications of the bachelor's degree at a professional level.

Environmental Health & Safety Specialist
EnSafe
Jan 2018 - Oct 2020
The position as an Environmental Health & Safety Specialist directly applies the knowledge and skills obtained from a degree in Occupational Safety and Health, necessitating expertise in safety protocols and regulations.

Safety Specialist
WestRock Company
Nov 2020 - Apr 2022
The role of Safety Specialist at WestRock Company requires specific knowledge of safety practices and regulations that align directly with the individuals academic background in Occupational Safety and Health.

Senior Safety Specialist
WestRock Company
Apr 2022 - Apr 2023
As a Senior Safety Specialist, this position involves advanced application of safety knowledge and practices, making it highly relevant to the individual's bachelor's degree.

Safety Manager
WestRock Company
Apr 2023 - Present
The Safety Manager role at WestRock Company necessitates a comprehensive understanding of safety management systems, which are directly informed by the education in Occupational Safety and Health.

ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Occupational Safety and Health degree?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


When analyzing the career paths of individuals who graduated with a degree in Occupational Safety and Health, a few common job roles emerge as particularly frequent. Many of these graduates have taken on positions such as Safety Coordinator, Safety Manager, and various specialized roles such as Environmental Health Safety Specialist. These positions stand out because they inherently demand a strong understanding of safety regulations, risk management, and compliance—core components of an Occupational Safety and Health education.

Overall, a substantial number of the jobs listed are highly relevant to the field of Occupational Safety and Health. For instance, positions like Safety Manager or Safety Specialist are directly linked to the skills and knowledge obtained through their degree programs. These roles typically involve the application of safety protocols, risk assessments, and compliance with health regulations, which are essential aspects of keeping workplaces safe across various industries, from construction to healthcare. Additionally, roles such as Environmental Health Safety Specialist and Occupational Health and Safety Consultant showcase how graduates are applying their education in a manner that directly impacts community and workplace safety.

However, it’s important to note that not every role is perfectly aligned with the principles of Occupational Safety and Health. Some individuals took on positions that only indirectly utilize their degree knowledge, such as Maintenance Technicians or roles in administrative capacities. These jobs may involve safety considerations, but they typically do not require the specialized expertise that a degree in Occupational Safety and Health provides. Therefore, while many graduates have found relevant and impactful positions, there are also instances where their qualifications aren't fully utilized in their job roles.

In summary, many graduates of Occupational Safety and Health programs pursue careers that are relevant to their studies. Safety-focused roles like Safety Coordinator and Environmental Safety Manager dominate, reflecting the critical need for professionals trained in safety standards and regulations. Yet, there are also roles that only partially relate to occupational safety principles, showcasing a mixed landscape of job relevance within this field. This variety points to the versatility of a degree in Occupational Safety and Health while highlighting the importance of aligning one's career path with their educational background for maximum impact.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Occupational Safety and Health graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Occupational Safety and Health graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When looking at the career trajectories of graduates from Occupational Safety and Health programs, especially those from Columbia Southern University and Southeastern Oklahoma State University, it's pretty clear that many of them have managed to land jobs related to their field pretty quickly after graduation. For the most part, their first jobs post-graduation involve roles like Safety Coordinators, Safety Specialists, or even internships that give them a taste of workplace safety. The common community of these graduates shows strong links to safety and health positions, suggesting they step right into careers that utilize their degrees. For instance, graduates who secured roles like Safety Specialists or Engineers within a year or two post-graduation indicate that they hit the ground running.

Fast forward five or ten years later, and it seems like a good portion of these individuals have climbed the career ladder effectively. Many of them transition into managerial or specialized roles, such as Occupational Health and Safety Managers or Senior Safety Specialists, demonstrating that there is significant growth potential in these positions. The various roles taken over the years, especially at reputable organizations, highlight a solid pathway that leads to senior managerial or advisory positions in safety. However, there are also some profiles that veer off into unrelated jobs or stop progressing within their field, which raises a few red flags. While some graduates find their niche and adapt well to evolving roles, others may struggle to maintain relevance in a field that requires ongoing development and networking. Overall, it paints a picture of a diverse group of professionals, with many excelling in their safety careers and others exploring different paths.

How hard is a Occupational Safety and Health degree?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety and Health is about average in terms of difficulty compared to other degrees. It comes with its own sets of challenges, like learning complex regulations, understanding risk assessments, and diving into the science behind workplace safety. If you enjoy practical applications and hands-on problem solving, you might find it more manageable, but if you're not a fan of those subjects, it could feel a bit tougher. Generally speaking, it's not a walk in the park, but it's also not the hardest degree out there—you'll just need to stay organized and keep up with your coursework.

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 2 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Occupational Safety and Health.

Do Occupational Safety and Health graduates tend to make good money?

Looking through these career paths, it seems like many of these Occupational Safety and Health graduates have steadily climbed the ladder in their respective fields, which is always a good sign for earnings potential. For example, those who started with positions like Safety Coordinator and moved on to Manager or Director roles generally reflect a trend towards better pay, especially in companies like Amazon and Shell. It indicates that they likely started at a decent salary and have made some significant income growth over the years, given the nature of the roles they took on.

However, not everyone seems to have a clear trajectory. Some graduates like the Patient Safety Attendant and those with less progression in their job titles might not be making a whole lot. It's tough to nail down exact earnings without specific salary data, but overall, many with managerial roles in safety are probably doing well financially, while a few may still be in more entry-level or stagnant positions where salary growth is limited. So, it really varies from person to person!

What buzzwords do Occupational Safety and Health graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Occupational Safety and Health. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Occupational Safety and Health?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Occupational Safety and Health (ordered by the average relevance score of their Occupational Safety and Health graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
Columbia Southern University 79 31
Southeastern Oklahoma State University 79 12