What Is Occupational Health?

Posted on by Mary Kate Weaver

A Guide to Occupational Health and Career Paths

All About Occupational Health

There are a variety of jobs in health care; some say the variety of options make it a tricky industry to nail down. When most people think of health care, they immediately think of jobs in the medical field; however, there are many more options, like occupational health.

Occupational health deals with all aspects of health and safety in the workplace. The goal of occupational health is to prevent injury on the job, improve working and environmental conditions, and promote employee education. Some occupational health services include occupational therapy, occupational medicine, employee wellness, pre-employment health assessments, workplace hazard prevention, and more.

Occupational Health in the Workplace

Occupational health teams support employees by constantly trying to improve the workplace. They keep people well at work, both mentally and physically. Occupational health services manage any risks in the workplace and attempt to decrease the amount of time workers need to use sick time. After all, studies show good health among employees directly correlates to good financial results.

There are many ways occupational health services can be implemented. Employee trainings and health and safety procedures are just a couple of aspects of occupational health that employers should provide at every level of employment. Safety measures employers should take include regular health evaluations of employees, hazard prevention and control, and accommodations for future expansion and accessibility.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers must provide a workplace free from recognized hazards that may cause serious physical harm or death to employees regardless of the size of the business. While some standards vary based on the industry, all employers must provide occupational health services under this act.

Common Careers in Occupational Health

When it comes to working in the occupational health field, there are several paths you can take depending on the job you are planning for:

Occupational Health Specialists or Technicians

An occupational health specialist analyzes data for many types of work environments and work procedures. They work in a variety of settings and their duties include a considerable amount of fieldwork and travel. The median annual wage for occupational health specialists is $74,100.

Health Educators and Community Health Workers

Health educators access the health needs of organizations to develop and implement strategies to improve the health of individuals and communities. They educate and provide support for employees. The median annual wage for health care educators is $48,140.

Compliance Investigator

Compliance investigators evaluate and settle claims within a company for the employer or an employee. They make sure all parties are compliant with company standards. The median annual wage for compliance investigators is $68,130.

Director of Safety and Health Services

A director of safety and health services plans, directs, and coordinates all safety and health services measures. For example, they are responsible for managing health care laws, regulations, and technology for an organization. The median annual wage for a director of safety and health services is $104,280.

Typically, people in the occupational health field should have at least a bachelor’s degree in health sciences, nursing, or a related field. Mary Lee Pollard, dean of the School of Nursing at Excelsior College, says, “Occupational health workers play an essential role in establishing a positive workplace culture and improving the health, retention, and productivity of all employees in organizations.”
Check out the programs at Excelsior College that can help you achieve your goals in health care and natural sciences, which are at the heart of the global economy and crucial to addressing many of the world’s complex resource problems and opportunities.

Excelsior College’s 50th Anniversary Commencement to Be Held on July 9

Posted on by Erin Coufal

Albany, NY — Excelsior College celebrates its 50th anniversary Commencement remotely on July 9 at 3 pm ET. The online format is inclusive, as all graduates will have the opportunity to participate without travel concerns related to health, finances, or schedule.

The Commencement celebration will include speakers, tributes from alumni, and awards. To accommodate time zones and the schedules of Excelsior’s working adult students, a link will remain on the webpage for all to enjoy the Commencement at their convenience. All attendees can post messages to the webpage message board, and graduates can also engage with their peers on social media by sharing photos and stories of their Excelsior celebrations from around the world.

Excelsior Graduate

The nearly 6,000 graduates in Excelsior’s Class of 2021 come from more than 20 nations. The highest number of graduates is from the United States, then Canada, and followed by other nations, included among them Belgium, Ecuador, England, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Ireland, and Israel. The oldest graduate is 74 years young. Over 40 percent of this graduating class are military or veteran students.

“In Excelsior’s 50-year history, success has been measured by student success,” said David Schejbal, president of Excelsior College. “This graduating class demonstrated the grit and determination that Excelsior students are known for by persevering through the pandemic to achieve their degrees. Congratulations to our students from around the country and the world for reaching this impressive milestone.”

All graduates are invited to participate in this year’s remote celebration, and as always, graduates will also have the option to walk in a future Commencement ceremony. Current students, faculty, staff, and alumni are invited to watch the Commencement event.

 

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Media Contact Excelsior College:

Erin Coufal, ecoufal@excelsior.edu, 518-608-8498

 ABOUT EXCELSIOR COLLEGE

Excelsior College (excelsior.edu) is an accredited, not-for-profit online college focused on helping adults complete their degrees and advance their careers. The college contributes to the development of a diverse, educated, and career-ready society by valuing lifelong learning with an emphasis on serving individuals historically underrepresented in higher education. Founded in 1971, Excelsior meets students where they are — academically and geographically — removing obstacles to the educational goals of adults pursuing continuing education and degree completion. Our pillars include innovation, flexibility, academic excellence, and integrity. Learn more at excelsior.edu.

 

 

Accelerate Your Career with a Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

Cybersecurity ranks among the fastest-growing professions in the country. Demand remains high for those with the skills to combat the daily cyberattacks on digitized information systems operated by financial companies, retail outlets, health care providers, insurers, and government agencies, among others.

Earning a master’s degree in cybersecurity prepares graduates to take management roles in this critical profession. Professionals leave the program armed with the skills and knowledge needed to prevent, identify, counter, and recover from cyberattacks.

The MS in Cybersecurity from Excelsior College produces graduates ready to become cybersecurity leaders. Both the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have designated Excelsior College as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education.

The  National Cybersecurity Institute at Excelsior College is dedicated to helping governments, industry, military, and educators meet challenges in cybersecurity policy, technology, and education.

What You’ll Learn in Excelsior’s Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity Program

New cyber threats appear every day. Cybersecurity professionals focus on making digital systems safe from such attacks and protecting valuable information. They accomplish this by applying effective information management and risk management techniques. Excelsior’s master’s degree in cybersecurity program focuses on teaching students those techniques. Graduate students also learn to:

  • Conduct risk assessments of current systems and of proposed new systems.
  • Identify the best sources for cybersecurity issues, threats, and recovery.
  • Prepare for leadership positions by learning professional, ethical, and social responsibilities, including the effect of culture, diversity, and interpersonal relations.
  • Communicate technical information in formal reports, documentation, and oral presentations to users and information technology professionals.

At the management level, cybersecurity professionals also typically act as the bridge between IT and the executive offices. They must develop the skills to create reports and make presentations that make complex cybersecurity issues understandable, even for those without a background in technology.

The Excelsior College MS in Cybersecurity

According to a Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce study, people with a master’s degree can make $400,000 more over a lifetime than those with a bachelor’s degree. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in the cybersecurity profession are expected to grow 31 percent by 2029, and median annual pay in the profession reached $99,730 in May 2019.

All this makes cybersecurity an attractive profession for those with the skills and interest in working in technology. The MS in Cybersecurity from Excelsior College makes earning a graduate degree more accessible than ever, with students able to schedule schoolwork around their professional and personal schedules.

The curriculum focuses on:

  • Data communication
  • Ethics, legal, and compliance issues
  • Operational process
  • Ethical hacking
  • Software security
  • Project management
  • Risk management
  • Technologies that secure and defend an organization’s cyber assets

Students choose between either a general concentration or an information assurance concentration. Regardless of concentration, all students learn to apply cybersecurity knowledge in the workplace and understand the implications of legal issues related to cybersecurity. The cybersecurity master’s is applicable for those who work for a government agency, nonprofit organization, or private sector business.

No GMAT or GRE is required to enter the program, and students can transfer 15 credit hours from an accredited institution.

Katharin Rice-Gillis, who earned a Master of Science in Cybersecurity in 2015, said that Excelsior College “bridges the gap of the ever-evolving cybersecurity field with the shortage of skilled professionals by offering challenging academics, coupled with educators who are the very best in their field of study…every instructor I had was the perfect instructor for that course. They knew their stuff, they were passionate, [and] they interacted with all of their students.” Get to know the Excelsior College Cybersecurity faculty director.

 

Moving Up: Steven Corey

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Steven Corey’s degrees help him move from entry-level to nursing leadership

 

Nursing was not at the forefront of Steven Corey’s mind when he began looking for a career. It wasn’t until the Scotia, New York native got a job as a patient care technician with Albany Medical Center in 2007 that he realized he wanted to stay in the world of health care.

Corey had grown up in the restaurant industry but quickly decided he needed to pursue a more financially stable career path. His interests ranged from law enforcement to health care, and he ultimately decided to pursue nursing due to job security. He followed his interest in the emergency department and trauma nursing and began working at Albany Medical Center in the Emergency Department as a patient care technician. He earned his associate degree in nursing from Maria College a year later, in 2008. After a few years in trauma nursing, Corey was promoted to a patient care coordinator. This new clinical leadership role carried a lot of responsibility, but Corey was ready for it. “I loved the work. Being a leader in a department full of incredible talent inspired me,” he says.

By 2013, Corey had been covering night shifts in the Emergency Department for some time and was ready to apply for the position of nightshift assistant nurse manager. As it turned out, he was declined for the role due to lack of education. Corey then learned of Albany Medical Center’s partnership with Excelsior College and decided to take the plunge into online learning so he could advance his career. “The process of enrollment and setting up a course schedule was surprisingly easy. So, I jumped right in. Excelsior offered eight-week courses, which allowed me to expedite my effort,” he says and adds that working with his Excelsior academic advisor and the education team at Albany Medical Center was a smooth process.

It didn’t take long for Corey to master navigating Excelsior’s online courses. He says that the process of posting discussions and engaging with online peers was easy, and the functionality of Excelsior’s online format made going back to school for the then first-time dad and husband a walk in the park. In less than a year after enrolling, Corey earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2014 and decided to pursue a master’s degree with Excelsior. He earned a Master of Science in Nursing Leadership and Administration of Health Care Systems in 2017 and soon found himself on a path to a rewarding position in nursing leadership.

After earning a master’s degree, Corey first became a nurse manager for the medical ICU and, as he puts it, he “had a blast.” He enjoyed his relationships with his coworkers and spent a little under two years gaining experience as a manager and doing administrative work. In January 2019, the chief nursing officer asked Corey to return to the Emergency Department to become the interim assistant vice president of emergency services, trauma, and mental health. He was appointed to the position in October 2019.

As an assistant vice president, Corey has a challenging job. Problems are on a larger scale, he says, noting that looking after several different units instead of just one, makes things more complicated. It’s also what makes things so interesting. “It [a problem that arises] changes the thinking a little bit, it changes the strategy a little bit, and it challenges you to research and learn every single day… And whether it’s budget-related, policy-related, or regulation-related, I’m learning something new every day,” says Corey. He also points out that his job involves a lot of self-discovery, saying he learns about himself and his capabilities with each new opportunity.

Corey says being in leadership has caused him to be a better mentor to the nurses and nursing leaders. “It’s about building the next group of leaders and promoting your team,” he says. The changing times of health care make it an exciting time to be on a team, making on-the-spot decisions and trying to problem-solve issues not previously encountered. “It’s just a cool place to be,” says Corey.

 

Steven Corey Adds Fun to His Assignments 

 

To say that Corey has an interest in speculative fiction is an understatement. Watching Star Wars is required reading, viewing, and fandom in Corey’s household. Horror and science fiction are a huge part of Corey’s personal life, but, as he pointed out in his coursework, they can be applied to the world of health care. “When you look at the relationship between health care, resource management, and ‘The Walking Dead’, there is no finer, clearer delineation between how you can organize a tight budget to impact the greatest good. If you can survive in that universe and feed a community, you can run a health care industry,” says Corey.

As an elective in Corey’s bachelor’s in nursing program, he took ENG 315 Zombies in Literature and Popular Culture. His final submission for the course was a more than 20-page critical analysis of the 1968 movie, “Night of the Living Dead.” During his master’s coursework, his written assignments included references to “Star Wars,” “The Walking Dead,” and “Lord of the Rings.” In one course, he had to discuss the disparity of access to care and the need for health care leaders to engage care delivery that meets to the needs of patients. Corey chose to write about “The Walking Dead.” “The ‘walkers’[zombies] are a problem but so is resource management and infrastructure. However, while these barriers exist, we need to be creative and determined to meet these challenges in a health care system full of complexity and constant change,” he explains.

There is no end to the amount of comparisons one can make to health care experiences. “So, when you’ve got to write a 20–30-page paper for your online Excelsior degree [program], there’s no reason it can’t be fun.”

Accelerate Your Career with an MBA Degree

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

A Master of Business Administration degree remains the gold standard for aspiring business leaders. An online MBA program makes it possible for working professionals to earn an MBA while maintaining their job. Graduates leave the program with the skills they need to become managers in their current profession or pivot into new ones.

Those who earn an MBA stand a better chance of career advancement and higher salary. According to PayScale, MBA graduates earn an average of $89,382. Some of the top jobs include financial analyst, marketing manager, and chief financial officer.

Earning an online MBA prepares professionals for top spots at their organization. In fact, nearly 40 percent of Fortune 500 CEOs have an MBA degree on their resume. It’s a ticket to C-suite offices, as well as great training for future entrepreneurs.

What Students Learn in an MBA Program

An MBA program focuses on multiple aspects of business, including finance, accounting, marketing, organizational behavior, economics, management, and business ethics. In addition to building skills in these areas, an MBA program also helps students hone their ability to digest and analyze large amounts of information, make smart choices that solve business challenges and develop the best business strategies.

MBA students learn how to foster positive company culture and resolve conflicts and communicate to diverse audiences. They also develop the skills needed to apply business analysis to solve problems and make strategic decisions.

Graduates polish their leadership skills and gain insight into the ethical obligations and social responsibility of organizational leadership. They understand how decisions made by business leaders benefit the economy and the community.

Importantly, MBA students learn how to guide an organization when the business climate and economy are far from ideal. They learn to navigate economic uncertainty by using research and management theories to develop strategic profit plans.

What Excelsior College Offers MBA Students

The Excelsior College MBA degree program offers students a flexible, online program they can attend from anywhere they live. It’s designed specifically for working professionals who want to become managers in business, government, or nonprofit organizations. Typical job titles for MBA graduates include:

  • Chief executive officer
  • Chief financial officer
  • Vice president of human resources
  • Chief information officer
  • Director of digital marketing

Excelsior College offers concentrations in accounting, health care management, human resource management, and leadership. No GMAT is required to enter the program, and students can transfer up to 24 credits from other accredited MBA degree programs.

Rosa Pena-Roberts, who graduated from the Excelsior College MBA program in 2014, said the experience changed her life in many ways.

“At the personal level, I feel that I have been able to accomplish a milestone, something that I can share with others and be an inspiration for others,” she said. “On the professional level, I have positioned myself where I can say to an employer, these are my skills, this is what I bring to my position, and now I’m in that position because of that degree.”

 

Tiziano Thomas Dossena, BS in Liberal Arts, 1977

Posted on by Caitlin Abram

Tiziano Thomas Dossena has recently published, with co-author Leonardo Campanile, four books on the librettos of the Niccolo van Westerhout operas: “Cimbelino,” “Colomba,” “Dona Flor,” and “Fortunio.” He also published a biography titled “The World as an Impression: the Landscapes of Emilio Giuseppe Dossena.” Born in Milan, Italy, Dossena lives in Yonkers, N.Y. and is an author and art critic. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts in 1977.

Linda Schneider, BS in Nursing, 2018, MS in Nursing Education, 2018

Posted on by Ermenita Kacani

Linda Schneider, of Lido Beach, N.Y., finished her doctoral course work at Capella University and passed her doctoral comprehensive examination on her first attempt. Currently working as adjunct faculty for the New York Institute of Technology nursing department, her goal is to obtain a full-time teaching position upon completing her dissertation. Schneider thanks the Excelsior nursing department for giving her “the ability to succeed in the Ph.D. nursing program.” Schneider earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing Education in 2018.

Robert W. McGee, BS, 1976; AS, 1979; AA, 1980; BS, 1983

Posted on by Caitlin Abram

Robert W. McGee ’83, of Fayetteville, NC recently won world championship titles in Taekwondo, Kung-Fu, Karate, Tai Chi, and Qigong at the age of 73. He is a four-time Excelsior College (Regents) graduate, earning bachelor’s degrees in economics and business in 1976 and 1983 respectively, as well as two associate degrees in liberal arts in 1979 and 1980. A committed martial artist, he was inducted into the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2017.

Excelsior College to Host New Cannabis Webinar Series

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

June 21st 2021, Albany, N.Y. — Excelsior College is thrilled to announce the launch of a brand-new webinar series centered on cannabis business, aligned with Excelsior’s expertise in cannabis curriculum. The first webinar takes place on Wednesday, June 23 at noon ET. The inaugural webinar will address various states’ approaches to legalization at the state level. It will review successes and failures, as well as lessons learned pertaining to topics such as regulations and social equity. 

The panel discussion will be approximately 30 minutes, followed by a 15-minute Q&A. It will be moderated by Michael Liszewski, founder of the Enact Group, and panelists will include cannabis industry experts Jeff Zucker, president of Green Lion Partners and vice-chair of Marijuana Policy Project, and Jason Ortiz, executive director of Students for Sensible Drug Policy and president of Minority Cannabis Business Association. 

You can register for this event here. 

“State cannabis laws have evolved a lot over the past quarter-century and there is a wealth of knowledge in examining what has worked towards the goals of ending criminalization, repairing the harms of prohibition, and establishing regulations that promote public safety as well as a prosperous industry with good-paying jobs,” said Michael Liszewski, event moderator and founder of Enact Group.

Excelsior has a goal of educating people about how to excel in the cannabis industry, which will continue with the second installment of the webinar series, “How to be Successful: Cannabis Tourism.” This panel discussion, which takes place on Wednesday, June 30 at noon ET, will follow the same format as the first, with a 30-minute discussion and subsequent 15-minute Q&A. It will address the explosion of the cannabis tourism industry as more states legalize cannabis, how budding canna-tourism entrepreneurs can succeed, and the tourism sector at large. This stellar panel discussion will be moderated by Dr. Susan Dupej, a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Guelph in the School of Hospitality, Food and Tourism Management, and will be paneled by Victor Pinho, founder of Emerald Farm Tours; Ayanna Lawson, owner of Front Row Travels; and April Black, founder of Higher Way Travel. 

You can register for this event here. 

“Cannabis tourism is an important source of education that will propel the industry forward by breaking down stigmas and facilitating normalization,” said Dr. Susan Dupej, event moderator for the webinar on cannabis tourism. 

Excelsior College is excited to present these webinars and contribute to the cannabis industry by uplifting important conversations to further drive education, community involvement, equity and entrepreneurship. 

# # #

Media Contact NisonCo: 

Zane Bader, Zane@NisonCo.com

Media Contact Excelsior College

Erin Coufal, ecoufal@excelsior.edu, 518-608-8498 

ABOUT EXCELSIOR COLLEGE

Excelsior College (Excelsior.edu) is an accredited, not-for-profit online college focused on helping adults complete their degrees and advance their careers. The college contributes to the development of a diverse, educated, and career-ready society by valuing lifelong learning with an emphasis on serving individuals historically underrepresented in higher education. Founded in 1971, Excelsior meets students where they are — academically and geographically — removing obstacles to the educational goals of adults pursuing continuing education and degree completion. Our pillars include innovation, flexibility, academic excellence, and integrity. Learn more at Excelsior.edu.

 

More Info About Moderators: 

  • Mike Liszewski 

Michael Liszewski, JD, is the founder of the Enact Group, a consulting company for advocacy organizations in the drug policy reform movement and entrepreneurs exploring newly-regulated markets. Before starting Enact, he served as policy and government affairs director for Americans for Safe Access from 2011 to 2017, where he worked on several state medical laws and helped pass the landmark amendment in 2014 to prohibit the federal Department of Justice from prosecuting patients following state law. Some of his current and past clients include NORML, Students for Sensible Drug Policy, the Drug Policy Alliance, the National Cannabis Industry Association, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, and 4Front Ventures.

Mike Liszewski

  • Dr. Susan Dupej

Susan Dupej, PhD, is a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) post-doctoral fellow at the University of Guelph in the School of Hospitality, Food and Tourism Management, in the Gordon E. Lang School of Business and Economics, Ontario, Canada. Her current research focuses on the impacts legalization has on tourism industries around the world and frames cannabis tourism as a form of social responsibility and normalization.

Dr. Susan Dupej

 

More Info About Panelists:

  • Jeff Zucker – Co-founder and president of Green Lion Partners, a Denver-based business strategy firm focused on early-stage development amongst firms in the cannabis industry. Jeff is also the president of the America Israel Cannabis Association, vice-chair of the Marijuana Policy Project, and is a seasoned angel investor. 

Jeff Zucker

  • Jason Ortiz – Executive director of Students for Sensible Drug Policy; founder and president of the Minority Cannabis Business Association, where Jason led efforts to create model cannabis equity policies at the state and municipal levels.

Jason Ortiz

  • Victor Pinho
    • Founder and CEO of Emerald Farm Tours, California’s first and leading cannabis tourism and events company. With a storied 18-year career in the cannabis sector, Victor has been a leading voice for sensible policy reform across the world, as well as an innovator in cannabis retail operations and tourism. He began his career in cannabis policy reform and activism at NORML in Washington, DC. As the marketing director for the Berkeley Patients Group, America’s longest-running dispensary, Victor was an early pioneer of cannabis marketing methodologies and industry best practices in the retail cannabis space. He has also served as California director of the Cannabis Marketing Association where he educated and empowered cannabis marketing professionals. Victor is a long-time trustee and advisor to Students for Sensible Drug Policy and spends his spare time growing cannabis at his home in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Victor Pinho

  • Ayanna Lawson

Ayanna Lawson is a cannabis patient and owner of Front Row Travels, winner of the 2019 National Cannabis Festival CannaTank Contest. Ayanna has heard all the negative stereotypes surrounding cannabis use. Ayanna is melanated, carefree, healing, and thriving. Ayanna seeks to help people grow a space where they can be seen, heard, and felt, and end the stigma and redefine the face of the cannabis industry.

Ayanna Lawson

  • April Black

April Black is the founder of Higher Way Travel—a cannabis centric travel agency based in Paso Robles, CA, that books 420-friendly vacation packages and hosts custom-curated cannabis experiences both here in the U.S. and internationally. Originally hailing from Arizona, April got her start in hospitality and tourism working as a fitness and activities director at a luxury resort in Scottsdale. After moving to NYC in 2008, she was hired by CS Travel and became the official travel coordinator for the High Times Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam. Given the unexpected opportunity to work with the Hawaii Cannabis Expo in 2016, she founded Higher Way Travel and began coordinating travel for several established cannabis events. Combining her expertise in cannabis, wellness, and tourism, she has since created several unique events such as Baked on the Beach (held during 4/20 week in Jamaica), the Higher Health Retreat in California, and Surf and Terps in Hawaii. She’s currently building several new experiences for Central Coast, California. 

April Black

 

James Skinner, MBA, 2016

Posted on by Caitlin Abram

James Skinner, of Killeen, Texas, serves as the associate director of adult education and literacy and as an instructor of Entrepreneurship and Small Business at Temple College in Temple, Texas. Skinner enjoyed a nearly 30-year career with the U.S. Army, serving as a 19D Calvary Scout from 1985–2013. He has been a volunteer with the USO for over four years as well as an Excelsior College alumni ambassador for almost five years. He earned a Master of Business Administration from Excelsior College in 2016.

Harold Geller, BS, 1983

Posted on by Caitlin Abram

Harold Geller, of Burke, Va., was recently conferred the title of associate professor emeritus of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. Since earning a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts from Excelsior (then Regents) College in 1983, Geller has earned a master’s degree and a doctorate from George Mason University. For the past 28 years, he has also taught at the university and currently serves on the board of directors of the GMU Alumni Association as a director-at-large. In his free time, he volunteers as a Solar System Ambassador for the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.