BCSP Collegiate
eNewsletter
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Welcome to the BCSP Collegiate
eNewsletter!
Whether you are a SH&E professor, student, or recent graduate, the Collegiate
eNewsletter will include news and information that will help you in your professional safety career.
See the
In This Issue section to the right to navigate to the stories of most interest to you.
Thank you to all who contributed to this issue.
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The Future of Safety
Charles McGlothlin Jr, PhD, PE, Program Director of EHS at Oakland University
 The 2015-16 academic year has begun, and it brings many opportunities for safety, health and environmental (SH&E) students to become part of safety's future.
Many people think that students enter their chosen profession after graduation, imagining a stark dividing line between those in school and those on the job. I encourage SH&E students to think of themselves as part of the profession now, and not shy from reaching out to experienced safety professionals whose articles they find interesting, the authors of studies that they find useful, and those whose work in which they would like to be involved.
The ability to seek out opportunities like these, gain knowledge and experience in doing so, and reflect on them is a student's greatest asset. Learning about SH&E practices with a fresh set of eyes, without those practices being experienced as routine, and having the ability to compare a wide selection of experiences, provides the basis for contributing something new. I look forward to learning what students at Oakland University have to share about their internships and other professional development activities for this reason.
It is by pursuing what you find to be challenging, experimenting, and asking questions now that you will later become outstanding. Look for opportunities this year. In this way you will become more than "a safety professional in the future," but someone who will contribute to the future of SH&E practice.
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Always Try to Learn Something New
Safety promises many new developments and opportunities to those who choose it as a career.
"The safety field is a very dynamic field," says Dr. Tracey Cekada, CSP, CHSP, Associate Professor at Indiana University of Pennsylvania's (IUP) Safety Sciences Department. "Things are always changing - research evolves, regulations change, work environments transform. Every day is different and new experiences occur constantly."
Dr. Cekada recommends students engage. Her department will host a career fair in October, has students who plan on attending the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) Future Safety Leadership Conference, and the IUP ASSE student section will host their third annual Regional Professional Development Conference this year.
"Take every opportunity," says Dr. Cekada. "Join professional organizations, seek out mentors, attend conferences, continue your education by attending webinars, training sessions, graduate school, and gaining certifications. Probably most important is to always try to learn something new. If given an opportunity to tag-along with someone on the jobsite- GO! This is how you learn!"
IUP graduate student Justin Musloe agrees. Musloe's undergraduate degree was not in SH&E, but he is trying something new himself. Now he is taking advantage of the opportunities available to him. "I decided to pursue a co-op with a local manufacturing company and gained irreplaceable knowledge in just three months that I am excited to apply to my final year of studies," he says. "I am looking forward to revisiting various topics and concepts during my coursework this coming school year, as well as expanding my network further. The EHS field is fun, rewarding, and fulfilling as long as you make it that way."
It is those students that are most involved in their student organizations, whether it be honor societies or ASSE student sections, are the most successful and happy in their educational career, adds Dr. Cekada. "Make the most of it!"
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National Capital Area Joint Safety Association Holds First Young
Professionals Networking Event
 The National Capital Area Joint Safety Association, a grass roots, ad-hoc group with representatives from several SH&E associations, is reaching out to students and young professionals, providing them the opportunity to learn about the various SH&E fields and connect with mentors.
On July 15, 2015 an event was held that marked significant progress toward this goal. On June 8, Amanda Archer, CSP a new employee at MedImmune and an experienced SH&E professional, contacted Bruce Donato, CSP, CHMM, chair of the Joint Safety Association group, with the idea to arrange an event specifically tailored for students and interns, giving them a chance to meet SH&E professionals, learn what the safety profession is about, and garner advice on what they should be doing now to help advance their careers. With Archer offering her place of employment as a venue, and Donato providing logistical support and access to a wide-spread communication network to publicize the event and solicit volunteers, they were able to coordinate a very successful networking event for young professionals in just five weeks.
On July 15, over 30 students, interns, and young professionals met to discuss careers paths with approximately 20 EHS professionals. The evening began with a meal and general networking designed to foster interaction. Then the nine member organizations provided brief introductions to their associations, and two guest speakers, vice presidents from Lockheed Martin and MedImmune; Tricia Haederle and Eric Knight, ASP shared their paths to a successful SH&E career with the group.
Finally, time was allotted for more formalized networking, with volunteer SH&E professionals grouped by specialty: biosafety, construction safety, hazardous materials, general safety, industrial hygiene, occupational nursing, and radiation safety. The professionals provided maps of their personal career paths and discussed their unique experiences. The young professionals were able to move from group to group to ask questions and learn more about each profession that interested them. A common theme discussed throughout the evening was the fact that many SH&E careers follow a wandering path, and that all opportunities for development should greeted with enthusiasm.
The evening was a huge success, with positive feedback received from both the students involved and the SH&E professionals that volunteered their time. Plans are already being formalized to improve and offer this event next year.
The National Capital Area Joint Safety Associations Group was formed in 2010 when representatives from several local environmental, health and safety (EHS) associations met over dinner to share best practices and challenges facing their organizations. The Safety Associations Group meets bi-annually to network, set up joint events, and share resources. The group includes the following organizations:
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Scholarships Reward Diligent SH&E Students
To recognize SH&E students' studies, BCSP expanded the number of scholarships it funds in 2015. These scholarships are part of many offered by the American Industrial Hygiene Foundation (AIHF) and the ASSE Foundation, which accept applications annually.
 The ASSE Foundation is accepting applications for its 2016 scholarships now through December 1, 2015. Since 1990, the ASSE Foundation has provided more than $1.6 million in scholarships to more than 500 SH&E students. You may apply for a scholarship on the ASSE Foundation's Education webpage.
The IAHF will soon be providing its 2016 scholarship application
s on the foundation website. Since 1982, AIHF has distributed nearly $1.8 million to 591 students studying industrial hygiene and related disciplines at 54 different schools and universities.
The tentative deadline to apply is Friday, February 26, 2016.
BCSP is proud to be part of these programs, making the connection between SH&E knowledge and practice, supporting the safety profession and aspiring professionals
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Choosing a Career in the Safety Profession
Jayson Clinger, BCSP Scholarship Recipient, University of Findlay
 When asked why I strive to be a safety professional I always find the answer to be because I am passionate about preventing harm from coming to people. The University of Findlay recently started its first Student Section of (American Society of Safety Engineers) ASSE and I had the privilege of serving as the first president of this student section. This club encourages others to pursue a career in safety by exposing students to safety activities. We have speakers and plant tours that show students different career paths, but also the daily practices of safety professionals.
This interaction between the student members and active safety professionals will help further interest in the safety field. I love that by becoming a safety professional I would become the bridge between the workforce and management. In addition, safety professionals have the opportunity to blend work in an office environment with work in the field. This means that there is a lot of versatility in our daily activities. Every day is something new.
In addition to that we will be encouraging students to begin attending more society conferences. Thanks to BCSP and UPS I had the opportunity to attend the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) and ASSE conferences this past summer, and I was able to see how boundless the network of safety professionals extends and how close safety professionals become. I am currently working on a process for students to be able to apply for funding to attend professional development conferences. I feel that after students see the benefits this career offers, by attending conferences, they will be inspired to become the best safety and health professionals possible.
Becoming a safety professional is a very rewarding career path because, at the end of the day, we know that our work kept people safe while they complete their daily duties. We make it possible for employees to maintain their quality of life.
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BCSP Academic Database Updated
The BCSP Academic Database has been redesigned.
It is BCSP's goal to provide this useful information on accredited safety, health and environmental (SH&E) academic programs to potential students. If you find your program should be added or updated, let us know.
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Send Us Your News
Consider the BCSP Collegiate
eNewsletter
your eNewsletter.
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Newsletters and Annual Reports Archive
BCSP keeps an archive of all of its eNewsletters and Annual Reports. You can view these and other publications in the About BCSP webpage's resources column.
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BCSP Schools and Academic Programs Directory
BCSP maintains the Schools and Academic Programs Directory for those seeking the knowledge required to become an SH&E professional, looking to earn Recertification Points, or to stay knowledgeable of the latest developments in safety practice.
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Promote the Value of Your School
If your academic program is a Qualifying Academic Program, BCSP would like to work with you in making sure individuals seeking quality SH&E education know your school produces future leaders.
Contact Lisa Spencer, BCSP Marketing Director, for more information.
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Safety Management Symposium
Thursday, October 8, 2015
West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV
Safety management is a fundamental and critical component of business performance and is essential to financial and operational success and improved productivity. This symposium will bring together the talents, expertise and motivation from WVU alumni and friends to share best practices, benchmarking and current trends in managing safety. Learn More
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BCSP's Toolkit for Advancing the Safety Profession
Banner displays are a great way to promote BCSP certifications and earn Recertification credit. A display is available to any certificate holder for use at chapter meetings, regional or local conferences, career fairs, and other safety-related seminars, meetings, and presentations. BCSP ships to and from any U.S. venue and provides literature at no cost.
If you would like to reserve a display, please fill out the Display and Literature Request Form. Displays are first come, first serve and must be returned.
Presentations on safety certification can also be done for Recertification points, and BCSP has many resources that can be used for presentations, including pre-made PowerPoints, on our Articles and Presentations webpage.
Item writing illustrates your safety knowledge, earning you Recertification points as well. Find out more on our Item Writing webpage.
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