Hello everyone,

After reading through the topics on the discussing forums, I eventually decided to join myself and ask a few questions to you personally, hoping to find out an answer for myself on whether my situation is a hopeless case or not. I would kindly ask you to enlighten me with your experience and knowledge about a few matters that I'm having uncertainties about.

Brief history:
I'm an Environmental Engineering '08 graduate (from Istanbul, Turkey and I'm a Turkish national). I pursued my masters degree in Environmental Technology but in the end, had some problems regarding my postgraduate thesis which caused me to drop out before graduating in 2011. It was a difficult time that I won't give much details about, but it made me realize that it's almost impossible for me to become a successful Environmental Engineer in Turkey after that point. Hence why I took a long break from it, and became qualified to start teaching English in schools for the last 2 years.

This October, I relocated to London due to good personal reasons. It makes no sense teaching English as a Turkish national in the native land of this language, and even if it wasn't for that, I still would like to make a fresh start, doing something somewhat related to my university degree.

Last time I worked in the Environmental sector was while I was doing my masters between 2009-2011, during when I worked as a Scientific Research Project Assistant. I took a whole 3 year gap doing different things since then, and I'm obviously not confident enough to dive into the job hunt with only what I learned so many years ago. I feel like becoming a consultant is not an option for me at all, but I've got the will and determination to make this fresh start in Health and Safety which I've always been interested in since the years I first started on my university degree.

I really need your help however, as I don't know where to start now that I'm in a new country, I'm not sure which course to take; IOSH or NEBOSH or maybe something that I haven't come across with just yet. After a huge gap in my career, I would like to know which one would be "more likely" to allow me make a head-start? I know nothing is guaranteed after all, but which would be more worth it in a situation like mine? Do you think there's still hope for me as a 27 year old? I'd like to find out from your experience.

Thank you very much.

ichigo87tr

Check the Iema website..i have seen a lot of consultants moving from environmental background to health and safety field, doing NEBOSH General Certificate course would be first step then you should start getting voluntary work in OHS if you can , this will build up some experience for you for further movement...

SHV