James
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Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio |
James grew up the quintessential jock. An accomplished forward on his high school basketball team, he received a full scholarship to the University of Louisiana, where he discovered a knack for chemistry. While working for a gas refinery right out of college, James found a passion for safety and the environment after volunteering to help with the cleanup of a massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
After spending time hearing stories and talking to several influential people at the volunteer base camp, he decided to enter the field of industrial hygiene. Currently interning at a major oil company, he is nearing the end of his postdoctoral study and considering a field position in the oil and gas industry, to better prevent future environmental and worker accidents.
James as an Early Career Professional
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UPDATE: In the first few years of his professional career, James steps into a field-based role as an Industrial Hygienist after earning his Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) credential, quickly establishing himself as a reliable safety leader within a major oil company. Working on-site at refineries and offshore platforms, he applies his chemistry background and hands-on experience to monitor hazardous exposures, implement safety protocols, and lead incident prevention efforts. His time volunteering during the Gulf oil spill continues to shape his approach, driving a strong commitment to protecting both workers and the environment. As he gains experience, James begins mentoring junior staff, coordinating safety drills, and contributing to larger risk assessments, positioning himself as an emerging leader in high-stakes operational environments. |
Jordan
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Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri |
Coming from a hardscrabble neighborhood in East St. Louis, Jordan helped support her family from an early age by working as a dishwasher for a local restaurant. The management introduced the NIOSH Safety Matters program to the staff; through it, she felt inspired to do more to help protect her fellow workers.
A gifted writer, Jordan graduated college and worked as a reporter for several regional magazines, writing comprehensive and award-winning articles on workplace safety and labor laws. Determined to do even more, she landed a position in a corporate safety department for a regional construction firm. She is exploring options for postgraduate education in safety or law, recently acquired her OSHA 10 certificate, and is ready to apply for her Safety Trained Supervisor Construction (STSC) certification.
Jordan as an Early Career Professional
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UPDATE: After earning her STSC certification, Jordan builds on her role in the construction firm by stepping into a Safety Supervisor position, where she becomes more directly responsible for protecting workers on active job sites. She leads safety briefings, conducts regular inspections, and ensures compliance with OSHA regulations, while also beginning to influence how safety is communicated across the organization. Drawing on her journalism background, she improves training materials, writes clearer incident reports, and helps translate complex regulations into practical guidance that workers can easily understand and follow. Her ability to connect technical knowledge with compelling communication quickly sets her apart as both a leader and an advocate for safer working conditions. |
Over the next few years, Jordan advances into an EHS Specialist role, where she expands her impact beyond individual job sites to company-wide safety initiatives. She develops and implements training programs, investigates incidents to identify root causes, and works closely with leadership to strengthen safety culture across teams. At the same time, she continues to pursue her passion for advocacy — contributing articles, speaking at safety workshops, or collaborating with organizations focused on worker protection. This phase of her career allows her to combine hands-on safety expertise with her communication strengths, positioning her as a rising professional who not only enforces safety standards but actively shapes how organizations think about and prioritize worker well-being.