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Univ. of Wash. > School of Public Health > Dept. Env. & Occ. Health Sci. > Alumni > Alumni Profiles > Walt Rostykus |
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Position: Vice President Organization: Humantech Inc. Year graduated from UW DEH: 1982 Degree: Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) Program: Environmental Health & Sanitation, Industrial Hygiene & Safety Walt Rostykus' job is to make the workplace safe for the people who work in it. Specifically, his role at Humantech, a Michigan-based engineering and consulting firm, is to assist large companies with the implementation and delivery of effective ergonomics. Ergonomics addresses the interaction of people and their environment, or the practice of fitting the work place and tools to the person doing work. In his experience, Walt has found that in deploying an ergonomics program, he must understand a corporation's culture and values to effectively identify and control hazards in the workplace. The result is an ergonomics program that is integrated, effective, adds value to the business, and is self-sustaining. Walt enjoys applying the science behind environmental health to real needs and situations encountered in the workplace, and making the end result intuitive and usable by the client or end user. "For me the constant change and challenge keeps it interesting." He loves the opportunity to "work with good people, do good things, travel, and constantly be learning." After his graduation from UW, Walt worked for Hewlett Packard and Compaq Computers, managing environmental health and safety programs within a corporate organization, eventually worldwide. He found that UW training provided the foundation of basic broad-based knowledge and technical skills in environmental health and safety he needed throughout his working career. His UW training gave him insight about the integration and overlap of the multiple disciplines of Industrial Hygiene, Occupational Health Nursing, Occupational Medicine, Occupational Safety, and Environmental Health. The other valuable skill he learned at UW is writing. He encourages current students to stretch academic exposure beyond departmental requirements to balance science and EH classes with courses in communication, marketing, organizational effectiveness, project management, international politics, and communication. "Practice your presentation skills. You’ll need them," he advises. Within environmental health, he urges students to take a broad range of class subjects. "Don’t limit yourself to one discipline. For example, get a balance of exposure to IH, Safety, and Environmental Health topics." He encourages students to gain as much real-world experience as possible by volunteering for field projects, and pursuing an internship or a part-time position related to environmental health. Once students enter the work force, he encourages them to find a mentor to provide feedback and coaching. A good goal for graduates is to obtain a professional certification within five years after completing school, he said. He encourages students to think globally, and pick up an understanding of occupational and environmental issues, approaches, and standards in other countries. "Take a foreign language. It will come in handy." Some emerging opportunities in occupational safety and health include addressing issues with remote workers, the service sector, global standards, aging workforce, rapidly emerging and changing materials and new technologies, and a diverse, high churn workforce. His final bit of advice is to balance work and life. "Maintain a hobby or activity. Find a way to escape the stresses of work. Take time for yourself." His hobbies include hiking, sailing, kayaking, scuba diving, mountain biking, hot air ballooning, and home brewing.
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©
2002 Department of Environmental Health University of Washington Box 357234, Seattle, Washington USA 98195-7234 Phone (206) 543-3199 Fax (206) 543-9616 E-mail ehgrad@u.washington.edu This page was lasted edited on . The School of Public Health logo (Soulcatcher) is a Northwest Coast Indian symbol of physical and mental well-being. It was designed by artist Marvin Oliver. This site is intended to be a resource for DEH alumni. We welcome your comments and sugestions regarding content that would be useful to you. Please direct questions & comments regarding site content to the Webmaster |
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