Four reasons why you should consider a career in EHS

For some time, people have been reassessing what work means to them. According to McKinsey, 70% of employees said their work defines their sense of purpose. People want to do the right thing and positively impact others’ lives, so they’re increasingly looking for roles that will allow them to do that.

For many, that will mean doing something that directly gives back. Perhaps a blue light profession, public service or charity work. That often involves a wholesale career change, driven by the belief that specific industries don’t offer purposeful roles. Yet many companies have jobs that contradict that assumption – roles that combine purpose and career

Environment, health and safety (EHS) positions fit the bill, offering the opportunity to have a tangible impact on the safety of the working environment. In other words, employees can save lives. ?And not only that, they can build new skills and experience that will enhance their careers – whether long term in EHS or more widely in the organisation.

Four reasons why people should consider a role in EHS

Don’t believe me? Here are four ways in which a purpose-led EHS role advances a career:

1.?????Industry-agnostic variety – While many people enjoy becoming deeply embedded in a specific industry, others want to move across sectors without starting at the bottom whenever they switch companies. EHS is one profession that offers that opportunity, with many industries (from construction and logistics to manufacturing and events) crying out for qualified individuals with a breadth of experience. It also offers a variety of options, either to become a technical specialist or to offer a new perspective for those looking to build a more general career.

2.?????Operations-focused – Many people miss that EHS roles are operational, contributing to operational excellence. How? Because, as I’ve discussed previously, safe operations are effective operations. Good safety management, with its assessment, design, monitoring, investigation and follow through mirrors effective operations.?Furthermore, both require the careful integration of people, processes and technology.?Good safety managers develop strong operational skills and help their company perform better.

3.?????A highly connected role – EHS roles require and hone strong communicating, networking and influencing skills, spanning the organisation from top to bottom. They’re cross-functional, providing scope for engaging with various stakeholders while shaping decisions and strategy.

4.?????Both hands-on and strategic – I’d argue that relatively few other roles need to operate at both a strategic level and in the day-to-day buzz of activity. EHS allows people to get hands-on and see how things work. In some organisations, there’s a knowledge gap between those who think they know how things work and those who make them work. It’s the same for many departments, but not for EHS with a foot in both camps. As well as proving invaluable in their quest to help the business operate more effectively, this also gives EHS practitioners valuable experience they can draw upon should they choose to move on and pursue senior leadership opportunities.

No profession is going to appeal to everyone. Yet many disregard opportunities due to outdated notions of what the work will be like.?

EHS is a broad-ranging, dynamic profession with a significant impact. It offers a fantastic experience to anyone, whether a school leaver, new graduate or experienced professional, who wants to spend time in a role with purpose that will make a difference and provide an opportunity to broaden their experience and build new skills.