u/cutiepieee_

I’m looking for advice from radiation therapists, students, and anyone who has gone through a radiation therapy program.
Background:
● 32-year-old female
● BS in Chemistry
● Currently work in a refinery laboratory
● About 6 years of lab and quality experience
● Currently make around $130k/year (some years closer to $140k with overtime)

My biggest issue is my schedule. I currently work rotating 12-hour shifts that include nights, weekends, holidays, and constant sleep schedule changes. The pay is good, but I’m not sure it’s sustainable long-term.
I’ve been looking into radiation therapy because it seems to offer:
● Better work-life balance
● More predictable schedules
● Good earning potential
● A pathway into dosimetry later on
My concerns:
● I would likely have to leave a six-figure income to go back to school full-time.
● Clinicals seem difficult to manage as a single parent.
● I would probably be starting over at 34 by the time I finished.
● I’m trying to figure out whether the long-term benefits justify the sacrifice.
Questions:
1. If you could do it again, would you still choose radiation therapy?
2. What does a typical day actually look like?
3. What is a realistic salary for a new graduate and for someone with experience?
4. How difficult was the program and clinical portion?
5. Is the job market good right now?
6. How stressful is the job compared to what people expect?
7. How common are PRN, part-time, or flexible positions?
8. For those who became dosimetrists, was the transition worth it?
9. If you were already making $130k+ but working rotating nights and weekends, would you leave that job to pursue radiation therapy?
I’m trying to determine whether I’m attracted to the profession itself or just attracted to the idea of a better schedule and quality of life.
Any honest feedback is appreciated.

I’m looking for some honest feedback from people working in Industrial Hygiene, Occupational Health, Safety, or EHS.
Background:
BS in Chemistry
About 6 years of laboratory and quality experience
Currently work in a refinery laboratory
Experience with analytical testing, QA/QC, investigations, documentation, CAPA, audits, and ISO 9001
Currently earning around $130k/year (some years closer to $140k depending on overtime)
One of my biggest motivations for considering a change is my schedule. I currently work a rotating 12-hour shift schedule that includes nights, weekends, holidays, and frequent disruptions to my sleep schedule. As a single parent, the schedule is becoming harder to sustain long-term even though the pay is good.
I’m considering a transition into Industrial Hygiene or Safety. I’ve been looking at the CUNY Industrial Hygiene certificate and applying for Safety Specialist/EHS roles.
My reasons are:
Better work-life balance
More predictable schedule
Interest in exposure assessment, occupational health, safety, and risk management
Long-term career growth
Moving away from rotating shift work
My concerns:
Most of the jobs I’m seeing are in the Baton Rouge/chemical plant corridor area and would require a commute
I’m a single parent, so quality of life matters as much as salary
I don’t want to make a major career change only to discover the field is shrinking, heavily outsourced, or difficult to advance in
I’m concerned about taking a significant pay cut from my current compensation
Questions:
If you work in IH, Safety, or EHS, do you enjoy it?
What does your day-to-day actually look like?
What salary range is realistic with my background?
Is CIH still worth pursuing?
Are companies still hiring IH professionals, or are these roles increasingly being contracted out?
How stable do you think the field is over the next 10–20 years?
If you were in my position making $130k+ in a refinery lab but working rotating shifts, would you make the switch?
I’d especially appreciate input from anyone working in petrochemical, refining, manufacturing, utilities, or consulting.

I’m looking for some honest feedback from people working in Industrial Hygiene, Occupational Health, Safety, or EHS.
Background:
BS in Chemistry
About 6 years of laboratory and quality experience
Currently work in a refinery laboratory
Experience with analytical testing, QA/QC, investigations, documentation, CAPA, audits, and ISO 9001
Currently earning around $130k/year (some years closer to $140k depending on overtime)
One of my biggest motivations for considering a change is my schedule. I currently work a rotating 12-hour shift schedule that includes nights, weekends, holidays, and frequent disruptions to my sleep schedule. As a single parent, the schedule is becoming harder to sustain long-term even though the pay is good.
I’m considering a transition into Industrial Hygiene or Safety. I’ve been looking at the CUNY Industrial Hygiene certificate and applying for Safety Specialist/EHS roles.
My reasons are:
Better work-life balance
More predictable schedule
Interest in exposure assessment, occupational health, safety, and risk management
Long-term career growth
Moving away from rotating shift work
My concerns:
Most of the jobs I’m seeing are in the Baton Rouge/chemical plant corridor area and would require a commute
I’m a single parent, so quality of life matters as much as salary
I don’t want to make a major career change only to discover the field is shrinking, heavily outsourced, or difficult to advance in
I’m concerned about taking a significant pay cut from my current compensation
Questions:
If you work in IH, Safety, or EHS, do you enjoy it?
What does your day-to-day actually look like?
What salary range is realistic with my background?
Is CIH still worth pursuing?
Are companies still hiring IH professionals, or are these roles increasingly being contracted out?
How stable do you think the field is over the next 10–20 years?
If you were in my position making $130k+ in a refinery lab but working rotating shifts, would you make the switch?
I’d especially appreciate input from anyone working in petrochemical, refining, manufacturing, utilities, or consulting.