Phoenix84
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Post by Phoenix84 on Nov 19, 2016 18:46:28 GMT -5
I passed part one of the American Board of Health Physics exam! This is great news. I don't know how many of you are familiar with my past. In 2010, I was fired from my position with the Air Force because management felt I couldn't do the job and couldn't learn health physics. Although it was overturned, it was a hostile work environment where I was told repeatedly I couldn't even master the basic fundamentals. Even some people on this very board said I wasn't cut out for the work, and they weren't comfortable with me working in radiation safety. But I didn't give up, I devoted myself to studying my field, studying textbooks, studying regulations, taking classes. I went on to be successful at another health physics job, but there was always doubt in the back of my mind if I was really "good enough." I decided to take this exam to prove to myself I was good enough. I took it in 2015 and didn't pass it, but I didn't give up then either, I kept studying and passed it in 2016! To give some perspective, you have to be a professional health physicist before you can even take the exam. And among the professional health physicists who take it, only around 40-50% manage to pass. Although the test doesn't confer a license to "pratice" health physics or radiation safety, it's a widely respected achievement. It was a lot of hard work. I studied for at least two hours almost every day from February through July, and significantly more as the date approached. But it all paid off in the end!
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rob base
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Post by rob base on Nov 19, 2016 18:51:23 GMT -5
Congrats dude
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NoNamePerson
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Is There Anybody OUT There?
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Post by NoNamePerson on Nov 19, 2016 18:52:33 GMT -5
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Phoenix84
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Post by Phoenix84 on Nov 19, 2016 18:53:42 GMT -5
Thanks, it's official, I'm a Health Physics Badass
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msventoux
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Post by msventoux on Nov 19, 2016 18:54:59 GMT -5
Congratulations! I didn't realize you had continued to study for it. Kudos to you for not giving up.
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billisonboard
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Post by billisonboard on Nov 19, 2016 18:58:24 GMT -5
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Phoenix84
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Post by Phoenix84 on Nov 19, 2016 18:59:26 GMT -5
Maybe I should put on some sunglasses, grab a geiger counter, and walk away from an explosion without looking back.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2016 19:28:34 GMT -5
Congratulations! Will they give you a raise with the certification?
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ners
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Post by ners on Nov 19, 2016 19:35:38 GMT -5
Congratulations!
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Blonde Granny
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Post by Blonde Granny on Nov 19, 2016 19:37:43 GMT -5
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2016 19:39:27 GMT -5
Seriously, congrats, Phoenix. I know you had ups and downs with your career and managers. It's nice to prove the naysayers wrong.
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sesfw
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Today is the first day of the rest of my life
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Post by sesfw on Nov 19, 2016 19:44:19 GMT -5
WooHoo .......... that is great Yea !!!!!!
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mmhmm
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It's a great pity the right of free speech isn't based on the obligation to say something sensible.
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Post by mmhmm on Nov 19, 2016 19:46:59 GMT -5
Glad to hear it! Hearty congratulations! I know this was something that was very important to you. It's a huge accomplishment.
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dannylion
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Post by dannylion on Nov 19, 2016 19:48:56 GMT -5
Well done, Phoenix!
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Anne_in_VA
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Post by Anne_in_VA on Nov 19, 2016 19:58:52 GMT -5
Congratulations! Way to go!
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Phoenix84
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Post by Phoenix84 on Nov 19, 2016 19:59:46 GMT -5
Congratulations! Will they give you a raise with the certification? No, but it'll help me move up when I'm ready.
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Phoenix84
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Post by Phoenix84 on Nov 19, 2016 20:03:09 GMT -5
Seriously, congrats, Phoenix. I know you had ups and downs with your career and managers. It's nice to prove the naysayers wrong. Yes, although I think at the time I was unprepared and out of my depth, I proved everyone wrong who thought I couldn't do it. I can do it, and I did do it.
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tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on Nov 19, 2016 20:43:29 GMT -5
Way to go! Nice job knowing what you wanted and that you could do it, and then sticking with it and persevering until you made it happen. Kudos!
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dee27
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Post by dee27 on Nov 19, 2016 21:42:59 GMT -5
Congratulations!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2016 21:47:57 GMT -5
Nice! Congrats@phenoix84
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tskeeter
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Post by tskeeter on Nov 19, 2016 22:34:57 GMT -5
Congrats on your achievement! And a pat on the back to recognize your tenacity.
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sapphire12
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Post by sapphire12 on Nov 19, 2016 23:32:46 GMT -5
Congratulations Phoenix!!!
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Nov 20, 2016 3:30:57 GMT -5
Great achievement Phoenix! Congratulations !
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mamasita99
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Post by mamasita99 on Nov 20, 2016 5:40:38 GMT -5
Congrats! I'm sure it's a great feeling after all that hard work!
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lund
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Post by lund on Nov 20, 2016 5:42:57 GMT -5
WTG and congratulations! I'm very glad that your job transfer worked out, and that you continued to study for the exam. I hope that it will give you increased job safety and higher pay!
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buystoys
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Post by buystoys on Nov 20, 2016 8:02:27 GMT -5
w00t! AWESOME!
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alabamagal
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Post by alabamagal on Nov 20, 2016 9:18:46 GMT -5
Congrats!
I hope that passing the test will also give you more confidence in your job.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 20, 2016 9:27:36 GMT -5
Congratulations! I can relate, having passed actuarial exams with pass ratios between 30-40% (and, as with your field, you're competing with other really smart people). Sheer determination and persistence can get you far in this world. (Milton Friedman gave up on the actuarial exams but I guess he did OK anyway.) And sometimes the best motivation is the naysayers who tell you that you can't do it.
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tractor
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Post by tractor on Nov 20, 2016 10:30:21 GMT -5
Awesome, another reminder that giving up is not an option.
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dee27
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Post by dee27 on Nov 20, 2016 12:05:07 GMT -5
Congratulations!
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