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I completed my Master of Science in Environmental Management at the Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS) in March.  This was just a year after getting my Bachelor of Science in Safety, Health and Environmental Management, also at MDIS, at the age of 37. Looking back at my 16 years as a safety professional, I would not have imagined achieving this when I was younger.  As a child, I had a mischievous nature and found it difficult to sit still.  Staying focused was a challenge, as images of toys and cartoons continuously flashed through my head. As I got older, my mind would often wander to football.  During that period, conversations on mental conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder were scarce, and I did not seek medical attention or get a diagnosis. Luckily, my academic performance was unaffected. I finished primary school in 1997 and subsequently passed my GCE N-Levels.  With my parents’ encouragement, I completed a Nitec in Automotive Technology (Light Vehicles) at the Institute of Technical Education Ang Mo Kio. In 2007, I began working as a technician at ComfortDelGro’s taxi service centre after my National Service.  However, my time in the automotive industry was short-lived. A few months later, I was offered a position as a trainee safety advisor in the oil and gas industry. This marked the beginning of my career in Health, Safety and the Environment (HSE). I was motivated to advance in this career as I saw how safety lapses led to injuries, and how machinery became faulty in the hands of untrained workers.  I also enjoyed communicating with workers and their management on how to prevent injuries and unnecessary breakdowns.  I obtained a specialist diploma in workplace safety and health at the BCA Academy in 2011.  This allowed me to become a registered safety officer recognised by the Ministry of Manpower.  During that period, balancing my work with part-time studies was still manageable because I was still single.  I was then a safety coordinator in the oil and gas sector and planned my night classes around my shifts.  In the following years, I observed changes in the industry, such as more foreigners getting registered as safety officers. Most job postings also required safety officers to have degrees.  Thus, in 2019, I enrolled in my degree programme at MDIS.  I chose MDIS for its attractive fees and because its degree is IOSH-accredited.  IOSH, or the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, is a global organisation for health and safety professionals. I felt that such accreditation would give me an edge over similar degrees from other institutions.  Compared to my previous studies in 2011, I had to care for my two children, then aged one and four, and support my wife.  I was then a HSE advisor for an integrated facility management company working normal office hours.  When I returned to school, I was excited and nervous.  The lecturers were very accommodating to our work commitments. They shared their contact details with us so we could reach them if we had questions.  A big challenge that I faced when attending school was that I had less time to play with my children. When I got home after class, they would be sleeping, and would still be asleep the next morning when I left for work.  Nevertheless, with my family’s unwavering support, I excelled in my bachelor's programme and graduated with first-class honours.  I was eager to continue my professional growth and started my master’s course exactly a year later.  It was an easy decision to carry on at MDIS, thanks to the lecturers who assisted us. Furthering my studies was a dream which I thought was unachievable since I was from the ITE stream. Through my academic journey, I have gained a comprehensive understanding of the HSE field, including best practices in risk management, occupational safety, and environmental sustainability.  I have also honed my analytical skills, enabling my ability to identify potential hazards and develop effective strategies to mitigate them.  As I reflect on my journey thus far, I am grateful for the opportunities that have shaped me into what I am today.  ABOUT THE WRITER: Mr Mohammed Faiz Junaidi, 38, is a corporate safety manager for a local construction company. He has worked as a safety professional for various industries such as oil and gas, aviation, and facilities management.