Environmental Related Cert or Degree

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by lawrenceq, Aug 27, 2014.

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  1. lawrenceq

    lawrenceq Member

    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.
     
  2. toddsbiyj

    toddsbiyj New Member

    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.
     
  3. toddsbiyj

    toddsbiyj New Member

    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.
     
  4. lawrenceq

    lawrenceq Member

    Thanks for the info.
     
  5. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    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
     
  6. lawrenceq

    lawrenceq Member

    I've talked to a co-worker about it, but not my supervisor. My supervisors a weird guy and would probably feel threatened.
     
  7. CalDog

    CalDog New Member

    Some states, like California, have professional certification programs for wastewater treatment operators.
     
  8. lawrenceq

    lawrenceq Member

    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.
     
  9. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

  10. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

  11. lawrenceq

    lawrenceq Member

    I like the APU/AMU programs a lot.
     
  12. japhy4529

    japhy4529 House Bassist

  13. CalDog

    CalDog New Member

    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" ?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 28, 2014
  14. lawrenceq

    lawrenceq Member

    I was just making a statement. I'm all for going after state certification.
     
  15. CalDog

    CalDog New Member

    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.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 31, 2014

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