Environmental health is both a dynamic and valuable field of study. Environmental health professionals oversee the health and safety conditions of indoor and outdoor environments. They decide if spaces are suitable for humans, and ensure proper actions are taken if not. For those who love to travel or dream of living abroad, there are many opportunities for work in other countries with an environmental health degree.
Hotels and Resorts
Every single hotel and resort employs environmental health professionals to ensure the wellbeing of their guests. Some of these individuals work exclusively with the initial development and building of new locations, others contract out to inspect various established locations, and still others work for a single company and stick with the same projects from commencement through long-term maintenance. The hospitality industry can be a very exciting path that takes environmental health professionals to all corners of the world working in locations that range from boutique hotels to massive resorts to cruise ships.
Government Agencies
There are a couple of career paths within the government that allow environmental health professionals to travel and live abroad. One can work on the environmental health needs of government buildings themselves, such as embassies and other international locations. One can also work for governmental agencies on international environmental health projects. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences offers an overview of some of the most important current global environmental health issues. The World Health Organization, the division of he United Nations dedicated to public health, is another agency where environmental health professionals might find fulfilling work in other countries.
International Charity Organizations
There are many charity organizations dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of people in need all over the world. Many of the issues that people struggle with involve threats to environmental health and safety. They lack clean water and electricity, access to shelter, and safe work spaces. Working for these organizations might not bring environmental health professionals to the most glamorous destinations, but they will get to see unique areas of the world and enjoy the immense rewards of making a difference in the lives of many and creating positive social change worldwide.
Academia and Research
Environmental health professionals who enjoy discovering new information and passing it onto others will enjoy careers in higher education teaching and research. The two can go hand in hand by researching through universities. They can also conduct research through environmental health research institutions. In terms of work abroad, one can seek employment in the United States and engage in fellowships, sabbaticals, and study abroad programs. One can also seek full-time employment at overseas universities and institutions.
Related Resource: Top 10 Master’s in Environmental Health Degrees Online
All people are entitled to environmental health and safety. This is therefore a career path that will always be relevant and necessary. Through opportunities such as the aforementioned, it is also a career path that can lead to global exploration. It is never impossible to take an environmental health degree across borders and seas to new horizons.