Michelle Hanson-Herbert
“It’s one of those situations where I’m looking for the next thing to work towards. I believe in never stopping self-amelioration, even when you’re older. You always have to be evolving, adapting, and growing, like the industry.”
Michelle Hanson-Herbert, GSC, Construction Safety Coordinator
Michelle is a Construction Safety Coordinator with her CSO and NCSO, and has been working for a commercial construction company in Manitoba. She feels passionate about her job, and the safety aspect of it.
Michelle earned her certification in January 2015. She heard about it through her safety association and some colleagues. After doing some extra research, Michelle decided that Gold Seal was the ideal next step in her career development and professional accreditation. Her biggest challenge while working towards her Gold Seal Certification was balancing being a single parent for three, ages 4, 8, and 15, working full-time, and finding the time to study and take the courses. Michelle’s Gold Seal Certification is now proudly framed and hanging in her office.
She described being pushed to earn her Gold Seal Certification by a couple of different reasons: Gold Seal was one of the few designations she didn’t already have, its obtainable without having to get postsecondary education, and she wanted to earn the respect from peers when on a job site. “Sometimes we’re not the prime contractor on a site, and perhaps it happens that not everyone sees eye to eye. The one who has the most letters behind their name is the one who is usually right. It helped me stay constant in my safety.”
Michelle is a very driven individual. She likes keeping herself well informed, and works hard on bettering herself when she gets the chance. As safety legislation changes and improves, Michelle likes to do the same with her knowledge and education. She is very proud of herself today, and feels accomplished for having reached her Gold Seal. She feels encouraged to know, too, that based on her actions she’s teaching her children and perhaps others the value of continual education. “You’re never too old to stop learning and achieving. Never stop setting new goals for yourself and reaching them.”
“It’s a nationally recognized standard of knowledge, so pursue it! With the way the world is now, people that surround me know that my level of knowledge and understanding in the safety field is reliable.”