Student Spotlight

John Linstrom, a veteran and former Medical Service Specialist in the Air Force, recently transitioned from his 20-year career in fire and rescue, consulting, training, and crisis management to a new role in occupational safety. After being laid off, Linstrom turned to OSHAcademy’s 30-hour General Industry Safety and Health program to help him realign his career. He explained, "Many of the courses that I have previously completed were dated. I needed a comprehensive approach to refresh the subject areas that I was familiar with and at the same time gain new information… The 30-hour General Industry Safety and Health program did just that.” This training provided Linstrom with both a refresher on familiar topics and new insights to support his career shift.

For veterans like Linstrom, OSHAcademy’s Veterans Discount Program played a crucial role. He noted, “While any and all discounts are appreciated by Veterans, being able to start training immediately with no concerns for travel, commuting, parking, etc., is huge.” This made it easier for him to access critical training without additional financial pressure. Beyond the discount, Linstrom shared, “I have received words of encouragement and motivation from everyone that I have interacted with at OSHAcademy!”

Reflecting on his journey, Linstrom emphasized the importance of mindset during transitions: “Never underestimate the power of hope when facing a transition. Thinking positive about what is possible and having a plan that you can execute is half the battle.” He credited OSHAcademy for helping him pivot quickly in preparing for a competitive job opportunity.

Linstrom highly recommends OSHAcademy to fellow veterans, calling it “a long-term investment in both getting qualified and maintaining competence.” With OSHAcademy’s support, Linstrom is now well-prepared for a promising new career in safety management.