Sanitarians are environmental health and engineering experts who inspect the environment around factories, wastewater treatment plants, and other industrial facilities. They examine soil, water, and air samples to ensure that contamination is kept to a minimum and that businesses are taking all reasonable steps to protect natural resources. A person interested in becoming a sanitarian can gain the necessary knowledge and skills by enrolling in a bachelor’s degree program in environmental health. Before they can work unsupervised in the field, many regions require new workers to gain several years of experience and pass licensing exams. Furthermore, passing a national certification exam can increase one’s chances of landing a job with a major government agency or a large private company.
Environmental health programs at accredited universities are available to high school graduates interested in becoming sanitarians. The majority of bachelor’s degree programs require four years of full-time study. Biology, chemistry, math, environmental science, industrial hygiene, and business are just a few of the advanced classes that a student can expect to take. Environmental science lab courses enable students to become familiar with common sample testing techniques as well as report-writing skills.
While still in school, some undergraduate students choose to work part-time at local water treatment plants, nuclear power plants, and government regulatory offices. When a person obtains his or her degree and begins applying for sanitarian jobs, practical experience in the field can be extremely beneficial. On-site, a student can get hands-on experience with the equipment and techniques he or she is learning in school. Furthermore, a student who establishes positive working relationships at a facility may be offered a full-time sanitarian position after graduation.
A person who wants to work as a sanitarian can apply to a variety of industries, private companies, and government agencies after earning a degree. The majority of new sanitarians start out as junior workers or assistants. They learn about specific procedures and policies by working under supervision for several weeks or months. An individual can earn the right to take a licensing exam and become a sanitarian after a period of time and success. Because most licenses are only valid in specific regions, a sanitarian who wishes to relocate to another region or country can seek additional certification from a national board to strengthen his or her credentials.
Continuing education and training are essential throughout a sanitarian’s career to keep up with changes in regulations and scientific discoveries. Within their companies, successful sanitarians may be able to advance to positions as head supervisors or executives. Some employees choose to work as independent consultants or form non-profit organizations in order to further their environmental goals.