Posted By Andy Wignall Hi I'm just wondering if anyone can give me any advice... I'm currently undertaking my NEBOSH Gen Cert, and I'm really enjoying it. I'm wanting to follow a career in H&S and I'm wondering whats next. I know the diploma follows on and i know there's a MSc in H&S management, but is that the ideal career path in education to follow? I'm 21 and I'm currently a lifeguard for the local council, but I'm the union safety representative for the leisure department and i have undertaken a few week H&S courses (mainly TUC ones). What educational career path do i best take? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Posted By Andy Wignall I have heard of that course. My local college runs that from January. The thing is my ambitions are very high in life and i want to achieve as much as i can before I'm 26. My plans are to start the diploma next September and from reading information, it runs for a year and a half. Then if possible can i take the MsC in H&S management streight afterwards? I also plan on shadowing the local councils safety advisers on some of my days off, so i can gain even more experience. Is that TUC course worth the time or would it interfere with my other plans?

Posted By Andy Wignall Hopefully my experiance the last 2 years being a safety reprasentative for a large area should help. Also if i shadow the local authoritys H&S advisers for the next 2 years, it should gain me more knowledge. The question is, Will employers look as that as experiance, or will they see that as just something i did to help further my academic knowledge? Any help will be apriciated, thanks

Posted By Seano Andy, After the certificate it may be possible for you to complete the MsC at a university. The MSC is a PgDip for the first 2 years (part time)then it Carry's on and you can complete a dissertation after completion of the 2 year PgDip to gain the MsC. If for any reason you didnt want to complete the dissertation you could finish the course and take the PgDip therefore gaining a diploma in health and safety.

Posted By Liesel I wouldn't call myself a "pro" in H&S yet as I'm still on the "career change" path, but as a professional who is a little older than you, a few thoughts: 1. Don't worry about "getting it all done before you're 26." Learning is a life-long process- and although when I was 21 I was a fire-eater too and thought I could do it all before 25 then have a long and glorious career, well, life didn't work out quite like that. Ironically, I learn better and in a different mode now I'm older. 2. Some diploma courses can be "flexible." I'm doing one that is in theory 15 to 18 months- but I am doing it double/triple-loaded so in about 6 months. However, to do so I have taken a work break so effectively can put in full-time study and also I am drawing on about 10 years relevant practical experience in work plus my experience of gaining a postgrad diploma in management (total 2 yrs with Open University so I'm well-used to self-study)- in addition to what I learned years ago doing my degree and PhD. So what I would say is that if you want to do a compressed Diploma level course, be very honest with yourself about what your capabilties and time availabilities are. 3. Voluntary work can be a good learning ground. In addition to my day-jobs, I've done 3 years as volunteer H&S officer with a Heritage railway. Been a good learning curve and excellent CDP, I can recommend the approach. I cannot say how successful I will be in getting a job as I have called off my job-hunting for a few months (living on saved money) to (a) do my diploma and (b) be available for support to my father who has just had a stroke- this next few months is a vital rehab period for him and I can stay at his place one week in three, study up there and give him support. But again, this does show how the best laid plans get changed by events. So I think I'd advise using your time as best you can now- which may be a diploma or may not-, but not getting stressed if you don't do it all by age 26. Combining a longer time-scale course with good voluntary experience for example may well be a better way to achieve the same long-term career goals, even if it does take one over the age 26 mark.... I hope that helps, I'm not trying to put dampers on but I had a similar approach to life at the age you are now and I wish I'd had someone who'd advised me to slow down a little and take stock a bit- high ambition is fine- BUT- I discovered the hard and painful way that it isn't everything and life experience is in many ways the best teacher of all. Best of luck whatever route you choose anyhow.