Re[3]: DEGREE REQUIREMENT

[Steven.Rima@DOEGJPO.COM (Steven Rima)]

     OOPS!!!
     
     I said I knew health physics, not email programs :-)  The post below 
     was meant to be private, not to RADSAFE. At least I didn't say 
     anything too stupid. Let's not reopen this topic on RADSAFE; I think 
     the horse has been beaten beyond all recognition.
     
     Sorry Melissa and RADSAFERS,
     
     Steve


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re[2]: DEGREE REQUIREMENT
Author:  Steven.Rima@doegjpo.com (Steven Rima) at Internet
Date:    9/22/97 12:25 PM


     
Les,
     
Here's a quick rebuttal to your RADSAFE post. (I am replying privately so as not
to "stir up" this subject again on RADSAFE, and I am NOT replying to flame you 
in any way.)
     
If you would "always" choose a degreed HP with 10 years of experience over a 
non-degreed one with 20 years of experience, you are being somewhat closed 
minded and may be missing out on some good employees. I may be the exception to 
the rule, but I am a non-degreed HP with just over 20 years of experience. I am 
NRRPT registered and CHP (comprehensive) certified. I took both parts of the CHP
exam the same day, and passed both on my first attempt. The majority of degreed 
CHPs can't make that claim!!! (I truly resent George Vargo's recent RADSAFE post
implying that non-degreed CHPs "slipped through a loophole" to become certified,
and that changing the requirement "closed the loophole." I would be glad to 
retake either part of the exam, without any additional study, and I would be 
willing to bet a paycheck that I would pass. How many degreed HPs would be 
willing to do the same? Not too many, I'll bet.
     
I have taught college courses as a guest instructor; I am approved by two states
to teach radiation safety for continuing education credits for medical/dental 
personnel; I have experience in DoD, DOE, and commercial nuclear power; and my 
present employer certainly believes that I have the knowledge and experience to 
manage their entire health physics and industrial hygiene programs.
     
I have always believed that it is WHAT you know, and not so much WHERE you 
learned it that makes you knowledgeable. Unfortunately, I seem to be in the 
minority in that belief.
     
Steven D. Rima, CHP
Manager, Health Physics and Industrial Hygiene 
MACTEC-ERS, LLC
steven.rima@doegjpo.com
     
     
     
______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: DEGREE REQUIREMENT
Author:  L_K_II_Les_Aldrich@RL.gov at Internet 
Date:    9/22/97 11:45 AM
     
     
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     That's quite a leap in subject area - from who's qualified to take the 
     CHP exam to who is a better person professionally.
     
     I suspect most of us know at least one non-degreed person who is a 
     "better" health physicist than one degreed person we know.  On the 
     other hand, based on my experience, I'd always pick a degreed person 
     with 10 years experience over a non-degreed person with 20 years 
     experience.
     
     In a pinch, I'd expect a degreed nuclear engineer to be able, with 
     some on the job training, to function as a nuclear power plant 
     operator.  I would not expect a non-degreed NPPO to be able, with some 
     OJT, to design a nuclear power plant.
     
     Degrees may not (always) substitute for experience, but seniority is 
     never a substitute for knowledge.
     
     Les Aldrich
     l_k_ii_les_aldrich@rl.gov
     
     
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