I began my path as an occupational safety and health professional about 20 years ago. I didn’t plan on becoming a safety pro. I’d describe my safety career as a journey of experiences. I’ve spent my career learning and a having a love of helping people return home safe and sound.
I started my career fresh out of college as an environmental technician at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge in Commerce City, CO. As a new pro in the environmental field, my first job was as a “odor monitor.” The job was simple: drive the perimeter of the property and check for nuisance odors. Eventually the contract ended, and I was partnered with the site safety manager. He inspired me to work on getting certified as a safety pro. Unbeknownst to me, I wouldn’t obtain my Certified Safety Professional certificate for about 15 years.
My contract as a safety assistant eventually ended as well, and I was given many opportunities to continue working in the safety field across the country. I had no idea how many safety and health career paths exist. I worked for refineries as well as in a foundry, a carbon black plant, the oil and gas field, food safety, renewable energy, and, finally, construction.
I earned certification after certification as I gained time and experience in the occupational safety and health field. I was most inspired by emergency response, firefighting, medical and safety training certification.
For anybody considering safety as a career path, I recommend gaining as many safety certificates and as much experience as possible. I continue to grow and love the OSH profession, learning along the way. Over the years, I’ve gained a love for helping people learn, coaching people on safety and life learning as a safety pro.
Mike Strum, CSP
Project Safety Supervisor
Jacobsen Construction
Salt Lake City
What’s your story?
Email us at [email protected] with the subject line “My Story.” You may be featured in an upcoming issue of Safety+Health.
