Environmental Management (M.Sc degree) Career advice needed: Auditor

[Leonard]

Greetings, I'm new to the forum and would like some advice.

Last year I've studied Environmental Management (M.Sc degree) and did the Lead Auditor's course as well. (Nearly done with the degree).

At the moment I'm abit at a crossroad, since I'm not sure if I should proceed to become an Auditor (cerfitication route), or rather go into the implementation of Environmental Management Systems.

Bit of background, I live in South Africa and had been active for about 6 years in the IT sector.

My question is, how advance is the EMS software (packages) that are available? My idea is to careerwise either focus on becoming an expert in implementation of computerised EMS (combining IT with EMS) , or alternatively, become an Enviromental Auditor (ISO14001).

Furthermore, how active is the job market at the moment if one is looking for an entry level position?

I'm specially interested in the USA, since my fiancee is American and this year I will be immigrating to New York.

Any advice welcome. Thanks.

[Randy]

To be honest, don't quit your day job. Becoming an EMS auditor in the US is not easy and is not easily done unless you "know" someone.

I'm not a believer in the so-called EMS software dealies, some folks like them though. Most organizations can manage documents and other system issues with basic office packages that cost 10% of those do all software packages.

What you might be able to do is volunteer your services to organizations in order to obtain some auditing experience. If you come to the US joining the American Society for Quality may help open the door for doing so....no promises. It may also be beneficial to apply for auditor certification thru your national authority.

Organizations that provide auditing services SELDOM use folks that have no experience to fall back on, and please don't be insulted when I say that the degree with no experience and credentials won't make it easier.

Hopefully I didn't burst your bubble. It's a tough business and few people are honest to those that want to break into it.

[Claes Gefvenberg]

Sensible words from Randy... ...and hey, welcome to the Cove, Leonard

/Claes

[Leonard]

Hi Randy,

Thanks for that pointers. I will take it into consideration when making my career decisions.

My motto is, if you never ask, you will never know.

Regards
Leonard.

[Randy]

Good luck to you. There is great potential in your area of this dustball we live on, it's just finding it that's the trick.

[jgeisler]

Parallel to thread rather than reply:

I am seeking a bit of career guidance from those who have gone before. I am a quality professional (ASQ CQM, CQA, CSSBB, and academically MSQC) and am currently employed as a plant quality manager for Solo Cup Company. I am looking for my next career change to be working as a professional ISO9000 auditor, whether I am an independent consultant or affiliated with an organization like Perry Johnson. I have done quite a bit of internal auditing in my role of Quality Manager, but just recently took the Lead Auditor course and registered as a Provisional Auditor with RAB. I am trying to figure out how to accumulate the audit experience necessary to reach CA and LA levels. To date, I have sent letters of introduction with attached resume to those auditors listed with RAB that are in my area (New Mexico). The letter also communicated that I would be willing to work gratis as trade for the documented experience although I would appreciate per diem and/or travel assistance if the audit was far from my home. So.............are there any other avenues I can explore that any of you can suggest? I am very motivated and proactive in accumulating both the knowledge and experience that will allow me to be secure in an auditing career. I welcome and value any advice or suggestions and if you would need to correspond other than this forum, will provide email, telephone, resume, etc. upon request.

Thanks in advance.

Jim Geisler

[Randy]

Read what I said above. Don't quit your day job if you don't have too. Getting into this field and being able to pay you electric bill is more a matter of who than what you know for the most part. As for affiliation with PJ.....

Whoever you sent your letters to probably tossed them...my experience. The same holds true with most of the registration bodies. You need to develop relationships...call those gooners on the phone, but don't waste their time (my best success's have happened this way).

You need to be able to answer the big question "What can I gain from using you?" From what you said here it appears that your background may be limited, I may be wrong. Expand as much as possible.

If you want to make headway get into other fields than quality alone, you're too narrowly focused. You need to be multi-faceted. Doing 9000 audits alone is a guarantee to potential failure. Most folks want multiple disciplines like 14001, TS, 18001, etc. Build the experience, resume and capabilities. You need to have a broad and strong package.

If you feel comfortable teaching try to get some work doing seminars, that is what is working for me. My auditing work is directly related to the training I do. I have trained folks who have gone home and said "use this guy". Also the more you train, the more "competent" you get with system requirements. Sooner or later you'll get noticed and the offers will happen.

Listen to what some of the others here have to say also. Good folks here, trust their word and advice.