COHSES and AOHS alum Adam Wright transitions to a career in Occupational Health and Safety
Adam Wright chose to pursue Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) education based on a desire to change careers. Upon entering the Certificate in Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental Systems (COHSES), Adam was serving as a Deputy Sheriff. He wanted to transition from a role in enforcement to pursue a career that enabled him to continue protecting others in a different capacity.
In selecting a university to complete his OHS education, Adam focused on finding a program that would fit his schedule. The fully online structure offered at the University of Fredericton (UFred) was a key reason he chose to complete his education here and was ultimately one of the highlights of his experience. The ability to progress at his own pace allowed him to complete the COHSES program and move on to complete the Associate Degree in Occupational Health and Safety (AOHS).
Starting and Advancing in his Occupational Health and Safety Career
The COHSES program was a stepping stone for Adam’s career in OHS, helping him to realize that the field of OHS is large and has numerous career pathways. He adjusted his goals after learning that there were opportunities to enter corporate safety roles. This realization also led him to pursue the AOHS program, allowing him to meet the educational requirements needed for the Canadian Registered Safety Technician (CRST) designation.
“I love how safety is so diverse; my initial plan was to become an investigative type of role only. That was my career goal initially with COHSES; as I kept learning and growing and gaining knowledge, I learned about new roles, such as becoming an OHS Consultant or working in corporate safety are other pathways within safety that are more broad based my new learning.”
Completing the COHSES/AOHS programs helped Adam secure his current role as an Occupational Health and Safety Administrator. Adam’s role is pivotal in ensuring the safety of his fellow employees. It includes coordinating and assessing training programs, providing guidance to branch staff, maintaining safety training records, developing safety plans and performance measures, and supporting safety investigations required following workplace incidents.
Moving Forward: Goals and Advice to Future Students
As for his future goals, Adam aims to attain the CRST certification and continue his learning journey while gaining the experience required to qualify for the Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) designation. Completing the COHSES and AOHS programs has given Adam a vast OHS background that can be applied across occupations in health and safety.
Adam shared his advice for those considering pursuing OHS education regarding the impact your current choices can have on your future career.
“Take the leap and start today. Join an online webinar to see if this program is right for you. Your initiative today will thank you in the future, as it allows for promotions, further learning, and career growth opportunities. I believe this program is perfect for everyone primarily those working full time as it has the required flexibility.”