I'm looking for some help from the great folks at DE. I've worked in wastewater treatment for about eight years and have no formal education on the topic; just self-study and on-job-training. I've thought a lot about completing a certificate or some type of associate’s degree in environmental technology/science/management to add to the resume. All ideas are welcomed.
For something cheap and would look cool, ALISON environmental sciences diploma. The classes are free but the actual diploma and records of completion will cost. On top of free, there is some decent content in their courses. I finished the Workplace Safety Diploma and am slowly working on a couple others. If you want the certificate or degree, TESC, Columbia Southern, etc. You should have no trouble letting Mr. Google find a few good options.
You may also want to consider an ISO 14001 credential, like lead auditor. You can find the courses online for a decent price, just be careful, alot of scam type of programs out there.
I had a friend who worked in a waste-water treatment facility - he has a BS in Civil Engineering. His fellow workers had degrees in biology and chemistry. My friend at first getting into this field but then found that salary was very attractive, presumably because not many engineers wanted the "stigma" of handling sewage. I would ask your supervisors and fellow workers what additional education they recommend
I've talked to a co-worker about it, but not my supervisor. My supervisors a weird guy and would probably feel threatened.
Some states, like California, have professional certification programs for wastewater treatment operators.
There are state certifications where I live, but private industrial company operators aren't required to have state certification. Most of the people I know that have state certification work for the state or at a plant that deals with drinking water.
Hi lawrence - maybe this, Certified Environmental Specialist | OSHAcampus.com or this, Online Degrees & Certificates in Environmental Science | American Public University
Hi lawrence - maybe this, Certified Environmental Specialist | OSHAcampus.com or this, Online Degrees & Certificates in Environmental Science | American Public University
Master of Science/Master of Engineering in Environmental Engineering Sciences - Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater Engineering Environmental Systems Graduate Certificate Online
Maybe not, but does that matter? Operators in the private sector probably aren't required to have college degrees either, yet you are looking at those, right ? If you get state certification, then: (1) You will have documented proof of your understanding of wastewater treatment operations, and (2) You will be more attractive to public sector employers (i.e. state and local governments). Maybe (1) and (2) don't mean anything to your current private-sector employer. But (1) and (2) would clearly make you more marketable to other employers in the wastewater industry, particularly in the public sector (which must employ a very large percentage of wastewater operators). And isn't improved marketability what you want, given that you are looking for something to "add to the resume" ?
And if you do, that should not necessarily replace the goal of a college degree. In the long run, a college degree will likely do more for your personal and professional growth than a specialized technical license or certification. However, a college degree will probably take years to earn, will be relatively expensive, and may not have immediate professional applicability. A state certification in your field can probably earned much more quickly, at much lower expense, and will have direct professional applicability. So the certification seems like an appropriate short-term goal -- it just makes sense to pick the low-hanging fruit first. The degree would still be an appropriate long-term goal.