My journey to becoming an Environmental Health Officer (EHO) started some time ago. Not really knowing what I wanted to do after completing school, I enrolled and completed an HND in Environmental Sciences at Fife College in 1999. This allowed me 2nd year entry and completion of Bsc. (Hons) in Environmental Health from Strathclyde University in 2002.

It was the intention to go on and complete my professional training within a local authority and, at this time, look for an available EHO position. Things, and circumstances, do change however, and an employment opportunity in the private sector popped up, which I took. I have subsequently occupied a variety of job roles associated with the provision of professional services, including Asbestos Management, and Occupational Health and Safety and Occupational Hygiene Consultancy. Learning during this period did not stand still for me either, going on to obtain a NEBOSH National Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health, a variety of asbestos management and analytical qualifications, and a variety of occupational hygiene qualifications.

Some 20 years later and realising that I did still have an ongoing professional aspiration to return and complete my practical/professional qualifications in environmental health, I decided to it was time to finish what I started. I applied for and was successful in obtaining a Trainee EHO position with Fife Council, where I completed my practical training and successfully presented for professional examinations in September 2023. This has led me to my current position as a full-time EHO with Fife Council’s Environmental Health, Food and Workplace Safety Team.

Although I am still relatively new to the role as an EHO, it is clear to me that the role we play is essential in providing for and protecting public health, both in our local authority areas, and nationally. The variety, type and range of work is wide, and often changing, allowing you to constantly develop both your professional and personal skills.

The role of an EHO – Albeit an elongated journey, a rewarding career choice (or change…), for me.

My role in environmental health began recently, after deciding in 2018 to begin my journey in higher education.  After a long career in the private sector working in a range of food industries.  I started in the food industry when I completed a HNC in Professional Cookery at SRUC Elmwood in 2014.  Following my qualification and becoming a chef I secured a position working as a pastry chef at Sodexo Prestige, then located in South Queensferry.  I moved on to work as a cake decorator in a bakery in Dundee with Goodfellow and Steven.  I then moved on to work for Aldi UK where I spent most of my career as a Deputy Store Manager.

After working in a variety of food related jobs I decided to start working towards a career as an Environmental Health Officer.  To achieve this goal, I had to return to education which led me to apply for a BSc in Environmental Health with Professional Practice at the University of the West of Scotland, in Lanarkshire.  After 2 years studying full time, I spent my 3^rd year of university working towards the mandatory professional practice hours required to enable me to complete further examinations through the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS) which allowed me to work within Local Authority.  I completed my 4^th and final year at university and successfully completed the REHIS professional examinations ins late 2023.  I am currently in a fulltime Environmental Health Officer role with Fife Council’s Environmental Health, Food and Workplace Safety Team.

This role has allowed be to continually progress, adapt, and evolve on the job.  No day has been the same since starting my career as an Environmental Health Officer and I am learning each day I go to work.