Turning an Internship into a Career in OH&S: Meet Olatunji Haastrup

For Olatunji Haastrup, or Tunji for short, the path to a career in occupational health and safety (OH&S) wasn’t a straight line. He describes it as a series of steps that led him to where he is today. After earning a degree in marine sciences and gaining work experience from Nigeria, Tunji enrolled in the Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Management at Cape Breton University. His hard work and dedication during his internship paid off in a big way as he was offered a full-time role before his graduation in the Spring of 2025.

While studying marine sciences at the University of Lagos, Tunji interned at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and volunteered with the Nigerian Red Cross. “I saw how proper health and safety protocols could make a real difference in protecting workers,” he recalls. “And these experiences made my interest in health and safety grow even more.”

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree, Tunji worked as a Safety Officer for two years. During that time, he also completed an online certification course on the foundations of health and safety from Florence Academy in the United Kingdom. “That course reinforced my decision to pursue a career in OH&S and gave me the confidence to take the next step,” he shares.

That next step led Tunji to Cape Breton and the OH&S Management diploma. “CBU upholds a great value in safety, which aligns with my goals of maintaining effective, proper health and safety,” he says. “CBU equips you with the right tools to set you up for success in the real world, especially in health and safety. The program offers proper foundational knowledge to excel in the field.”

A key turning point in Tunji’s journey was securing an internship with Elk Valley Resources (EVR), a mining company in British Columbia specializing in steelmaking coal. “The internship was an eye-opener,” he recalls. “I had the opportunity to work on live projects, collaborate with experts in health and safety and apply the theoretical knowledge I gained in the classroom. It was an incredibly valuable learning experience.”

Tunji’s work ethic and skills didn’t go unnoticed. He was offered a Health and Safety Coordinator position for the water operations at EVR, which oversees water treatment facilities aimed at ensuring the safety of water for community use while protecting the ecosystem. “I started in January this year,” Tunji says. “And it’s been a fantastic experience so far.”

Tunji is excited for the next chapter but admits he’ll miss his time at CBU. “I’m grateful for the journey and will miss many aspects of campus life, including the Pit Lounge, basketball games and the friendships with colleagues and professors,” he shares. “Karen Butterworth, Helen Mersereau, Eli Quirk and Ruth Chen have been instrumental in my career development, and I will always be thankful for their support.” Tunji also expresses his gratitude to everyone who supported him along the way, including his landlord in Sydney, his graphics colleagues, friends, family, professors, girlfriend and new coworkers.

As he prepares to graduate this spring, Tunji reflects on how his internship shaped his career. “The internship gave me the experience and confidence I needed to transition into a full-time role,” he says. “For anyone considering the OH&S program, I’d say go for it because there is a need for health and safety professionals. It might be challenging to land a job in the field at first, but with the right support and the right tools, you will find a great opportunity.”