As I write this first President’s Message, I find myself reflecting on who we are and what we contribute as safety professionals. I have heard many OSH professionals say that what we do is not a job, it is a noble calling. As safety professionals, we take immense pride in knowing that our work’s primary purpose is to prevent people from being injured or made sick from their work.
While the inherent value of a career in safety is a powerful motivator, it is not the only thing that brings people to and keeps people in our profession. As a 2011 NIOSH study indicated, there will be an undersupply of safety professionals in future years, especially as more organizations come to recognize how OSH professionals contribute to overall business success. We are also hearing that graduates from safety degree programs are receiving multiple job offers at competitive salaries. So, the word is out that being an OSH professional is a rewarding career in many ways.