JOBS - Six Different Majors
Toxicology |
Occupational and Environmental Exposure Sciences
Environment Health |
Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Environmental and Occupational Health, MPH |
Environmental Health Undergraduate Degree
Toxicology
Do you prefer the precision and promise of laboratory work? Do you believe the benefits of animal research outweigh the negatives? As a toxicologist, you may use animal models such as mice, or you may use cell lines to make new discoveries about genetic and environmental causes of disease.
The Society of Toxicology website gives a good description of this field. Among the highlights:
Wise use of chemicals is an essential component of our high standard of living. Toxicologists ensure that we are not endangering our health or the environment with the products and by-products of modern and comfortable living. Few other careers offer such exciting and socially important challenges as protecting public health and the environment.
Toxicologists:
- participate in basic research using the most advanced techniques in molecular biology, analytical chemistry and biomedical sciences
- work with chemical, pharmaceutical and many other industries to test and ensure that their products and workplaces are safe, and to evaluate the implications of new research data;
- work for local and federal governments to develop and enforce laws to ensure that chemicals are produced, used and disposed of safely; work in academic institutions to teach others about the safe use of chemicals and to train future toxicologists
Occupational and Environmental Exposure Sciences
Would you prefer to be out in the field at a variety of workplaces? Are you interested in workplace policies and procedures? Do you want to work directly with affected people? As an exposure hygienist, you will be involved in management, labor, and regulatory issues.
The American Industrial Hygiene Association's website gives a good description of this field. Among the highlights:
Exposure hygienists keep workers, their families, and the community healthy and safe. They play a vital part in ensuring that federal, state, and local laws and regulations are followed in the work environment.
Exposure hygienists:
- investigate the workplace for hazards and potential dangers
- make recommendations on improving the safety of workers and the surrounding community
- conduct scientific research to provide data on possible harmful conditions in the workplace
- develop techniques to anticipate and control potentially dangerous situations in the workplace and the community
- train and educate the community about job-related risks
- advise government officials and participate in the development of regulations
- ensure that workers properly follow health and safety procedures
Environmental Health
Would you prefer to be out in the field, but not in a workplace? Do air quality and water quality interest you?
Environmental health is the study of how environmental factors can harm human health and how to identify, prevent, and control these effects. The field concerns itself with:
- maintaining a safe supply of food and drinking water
- discovering the mechanisms of environmentally related diseases
- treating and disposing of solid and toxic wastes
- reducing air, water , food, and noise pollution
- controlling workplace hazards.
Environmental health gives first priority to people and their health and indirectly concerns itself with environmental quality and the health of ecosystems.
Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Occupational and environmental medicine is perhaps the most wide ranging of all medical specialties, according to the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM). It is the medical specialty devoted to prevention and management of occupational and environmental injury, illness and disability, and promotion of health and productivity of workers, their families, and communities.
Occupational and Environmental Medicine physicians:
- treat job-related diseases
- recognize and resolve workplace hazards
- institute rehabilitation methods
- provide well-managed care
Environmental and Occupational Health, MPH
This program bridges the scientific and health policy worlds. In contrast to the MS degree programs, which are program-specific and more specialized, the MPH degree provides a broader department-wide perspective on general principles of environmental and occupational health, with emphasis on applied science and policy implications. Students can move into challenging careers in governmental, nonprofit, or private sector organization.
Environmental Health Undergraduate Degree
Through the Bachelor of Science program in Environmental Health, students learn to identify, prevent, and control environmental factors that can damage human health. The program is flexible, giving you a grounding in environmental health sciences and an emphasis in one of four interest areas: biological sciences, physical sciences, medical professions, or environmental health practice.
The Association of Environmental Health Academic Programs website describes academic programs and careers, including:
- the Public or Indian Health Services
- federal, state, county, and city environmental health departments
- the Peace Corps
- a wide variety of private sector jobs
