What degree did you study?
I studied for a BSc Hons Geography at Bangor University.
How did you get your job?
I was approached about the role after the group recruitment manager at EEUK contacted me on LinkedIn. At the time, I had around a year and a half of experience as an environmental inspector, during which I developed relevant knowledge and skills that likely helped my profile stand out. After discussing the opportunity and learning more about the organisation, I decided to pursue the role further. EEUK Group's people-focused culture really stood out to me, and the process progressed from there, ultimately leading to me securing the job.
What's a typical working day like?
My week is split between working from home and being on-site. On Mondays and Fridays, I work from home, focusing on tasks such as analysing data collected during site visits and writing detailed reports for clients. This time is used to review results and ensure all findings are clearly documented.
From Tuesday to Thursday, I am usually on-site carrying out a range of occupational hygiene services. This can include noise and air monitoring, and Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) assessments. The role often involves travelling to different locations, allowing me to see a wide variety of workplaces and environments.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I get the opportunity to see how different products are made and how various businesses operate behind the scenes. I also enjoy meeting and speaking with different people at each site, which makes the work interesting and helps build strong professional relationships. The combination of travel, variety and interaction with others makes the role very rewarding.
What are the challenges?
One of the main challenges is managing time effectively to meet deadlines, particularly when balancing my on-site duties with report writing and analysis. It's important to stay organised to ensure that all work is completed to a consistently high standard.
In what way is your degree relevant?
My geography degree has been very relevant to my role, particularly for report writing and analysing scientific information. During my studies, I completed assignments that required research, data analysis and clearly presenting findings, which closely mirrors the type of report writing I do in my job.
The subject matter of my degree is also closely linked to the work I do. My studies in environmental sustainability help me understand the relationships between environmental factors and workplace environments, which is important for monitoring and assessing noise, air quality, and vibration. This background knowledge helps me interpret results and provide meaningful recommendations to clients.
How has your role developed and what are your career ambitions?
I started in the role as a graduate, gaining hands-on experience while continuing to build my professional knowledge. Since then, I've completed several specialist training courses, including M501, M503, M505 and M507, as well as the Hand-Arm Vibration Certificate of Competence, helping me broaden my skills and take on more responsibility.
These qualifications have deepened my understanding of occupational hygiene and environmental monitoring, enabling me to take on greater responsibility within my role. Looking ahead, I aim to continue building on this experience and training, with the long-term goal of becoming a Certified Occupational Hygienist (CertOH), allowing me to further progress and specialise in the field.
What tips can you give to others interested in an occupational hygiene career?
- Don't rule it out just because you haven't heard of it. It's a field many people aren't aware of until later in their studies or careers, but it offers a range of opportunities and interesting work across many industries.
- Stay organised. The role often involves balancing time between site work, data analysis and report writing, so good organisation and time management are important to keep on top of deadlines and maintain high standards.
- Be open to opportunities and work well with others. Being willing to try new things, communicate clearly and work as part of a team will help you learn quickly and build strong professional relationships within the industry.
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