www.nebosh.org.uk/qualifications 13 reservations. A few similar positions with other companies followed, including a brief spell as a medical secretary. This in turn led to an opportunity in 2007 for Sharon to work as a Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Assessor for a financial institution based in Canary Wharf. She really enjoyed the job and started developing a wider interest for health and safety issues. A discussion with colleagues led to a suggestion that she take the NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety. Aware that such a qualification could open up career opportunities, Sharon went ahead but admits she was apprehensive at first. She overcame her fears, worked hard and passed. This gave Sharon a real boost in confidence and she immediately became interested in taking the NEBOSH National Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety. She enrolled on a Diploma course and at about the same time she spotted an opportunity to join BNP Paribas as a DSE Assessor in the City of London. She was interviewed by the then Health and Safety Manager, who recognised that taking on someone who had already started their NEBOSH National Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety was an opportunity that was too good to miss. It was perfect for Sharon too, because she was given day release to study while at the same time building up her experience. With three huge offices in London, there was a lot of DSE assessments to be done. However, Sharon was also able to help the Health and Safety Manager and latterly the Head of Workplace Risk more widely too. She describes passing her Diploma as the “most challenging but rewarding thing she has ever done”. But completing it and the NEBOSH National Certificate in Fire Safety and Risk Management has been very beneficial. When the Health and Safety Manager at BNP Paribas moved on, Sharon applied for the role and was successful on the strength of her experience and qualifications. The move has been great for Sharon and for her employers. She has since devised and developed bespoke e-learning courses covering DSE assessments and induction, which has improved efficiency and quality in both areas. Other achievements since Sharon took up the role of Health and Safety Manager include an occupational driving risk programme, the implementation of an online risk management tool, a robust contractor management policy and the creation of a comprehensive emergency response plan at each of BNP Paribas’ UK sites. “I could achieve these things, and more, basically because I had all of the essential knowledge from completing the NEBOSH National Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety,” Sharon told us. She now describes herself as “very happy.” and feels fulfilled by “becoming a professional, with a career.”