June 2018 President’s Message

A couple weeks ago, I had the privilege of watching the graduation ceremonies for Boston University’s School of Public Health. There were over 400 students receiving master’s and PhD degrees that day and it was very energizing to see all the passion and enthusiasm they had as they walked across the stage to receive their diplomas. As I sat there listening to the speeches by students, faculty and guest speakers, I was again reminded why I chose an EHS career – to make a difference. Each of us has a chance on-the-job or off-the-job to make a difference, to keep people safe and protect our environment.

One of the guest speakers that day made two key points. First, she said – take time to think about what you hope for in your life. Of course, the speaker was talking in the context of the new graduates’ careers in public health, so her point was for the students to focus on how they envisioned making a difference in their work. But the second point she made really struck me. She said, “once you’ve identified what it is you hope to achieve – live in that hope”. I think that sometimes we can lose sight of what it has taken us to achieve the personal hopes and dreams each of us has. So, I’d ask each one of you to reflect on the effort it took to get your degree and then to become a CIH. You “lived in that hope” and I would suggest you became what you hoped for – someone who makes a difference.

To that same end, NJAIHA “lives in the hope” that we can attract young people to a STEM career and ultimately to become an industrial hygienist or EHS professional, and to grow our section with new members, passionate in their pursuit of making a difference. The Executive Committee is actively engaged in an initiative to better connect with and attract those younger professionals and hopefully even start a student chapter. But we need your help. The EC cannot do this alone and we are asking each one of you to take some time to reflect on what it is you hope for regarding the future of NJAIHA. And then – to live in that hope, lend a hand, get engaged so that those students who just took their first steps towards a career in protecting people, can then take that next step to become active in our professional association.

It has been a privilege to serve NJAIHA. See you Thursday night at the Imperia.

Best Regards,
Craig R. Doolittle, PE, CSP
President NJAIHA