By Todd Shilling, Senior Barge Engineer / PhD Candidate
Guest Contributor
My academic journey started about 6 years ago when I decided to work towards my undergraduate degree. I was working as a facility HSE Technician on an international offshore oil and gas drilling rig and working a rotational schedule. It quickly became obvious that if I wanted to gain a promotion or move into a shore-based support position, I would need a degree. So, my search for a program that could be completed at distance while working my rotational schedule began.
After completing several OSHAcademy programs, I learned about the potential tuition discounts available through Columbia Southern University (CSU). After a little further research, I found that CSU’s programs would make a good fit. Soon thereafter, I was enrolled in my first CSU class. Between bringing in several credits from previous college courses, military experience, and OSHAcademy programs, I was able to double up on course loads and completed an undergraduate degree in about 2 years.
Following this, I decided to continue my education and earned a Master of Science in Occupational Health and Safety/Environmental Management from CSU. While there were certainly times that it was not easy, it certainly was worth it. Many times, I would scramble to complete and submit my weekly assignments on time, and there were others where they were submitted late. Most of the professors at CSU were understanding, as they too had earned their education while working full-time.
The greatest educational challenges that I faced were primarily centered around my personal issues. I am a procrastinator, I mean why not put it off until tomorrow, and this ties directly into problems with time-management. For me, school would have gone smoother if I would have simply managed my time better. There are those occasional weeks where, all hell breaks loose, and nothing goes as planned but that is not the norm.
As I am now working towards a PhD in Occupational Health and Safety, the same theme rings true, don’t get lazy and put in the time. Some days/nights you simply won’t feel like doing the work but that is when you must press on and make some form of progress. The best tip I can give to current or future students is to make daily progress. Set a goal to make daily progress, even if only slight, and achieve forward momentum. If you do this, and you can, the time will quickly pass, and you will have earned your degree in no time.
Since completing my M.S. I have had a change in careers. Still working in the offshore oil & gas exploration industry I made a lateral move to the marine department where I started working as a Barge Engineer and was eventually promoted to Senior Barge Engineer. While not directly “involved” in HSE, I am accountable for all crane/lifting operations, vessel stability, life safety, emergency response, and marine compliance for the facility. My education has served me well by preparing me for the challenge that I now face on a regular basis. Once my PhD is complete, I plan to further explore the HSE world and potentially move back into that arena, but for now I am content with my current challenges, and the ability to pursue my research.
