Her Story
About Selena
Selena Osbourne serves as Senior Health, Safety, and Environment specialist at the regional operations for the Weekly Technologies Group, based in Camillus, New York. With a career in Environment Health Safety that began in 2011, she brings expertise shaped by her Bachelor's of Engineering in Chemical Engineering, earned in Jamaica prior to migrating to the United States. She achieved her Certified Safety Professional (CSP) certification in 2020, a milestone she considers her most notable professional achievement due to the rigorous preparation and examination process. Osbourne is an active member of the Central New York arm of the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) and emphasizes continuous improvement, describing herself as an avid reader and learner who pushes to evolve daily. Her approach to the field is proactive, focusing on risk profiles, controls, and safety management systems, with a natural affinity for the environmental aspects stemming from her engineering background. She values factual, straightforward communication and has navigated challenges in a predominantly male field by building parallel relationships and leveraging technology to ensure her contributions are recognized.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Selena
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to continuous improvement. I always ask myself if today was my best day yet, because it does not mean that it can't get better. I am an avid reader and learner, and I push myself to evolve to be a better person than I was the day before. In safety, things change constantly, so if you are not trying to evolve, you won't survive in this field.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I received is to always have two or three mentors who have gone ahead in their fields. I label them in pockets for different areas like building relationships or climbing the career ladder. Also, in leadership with a diverse team, remember that sometimes you have to take the path of least resistance, and setbacks are just delays. If you are heading in the right direction, people will eventually fall in line.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell younger Selena that it is okay to feel failure because it does not mean it is permanent. You will notice there is a strike against us as women, but remain resilient. Find spaces that give your work and word life. With resilience, wit, and being a dedicated worker, you will not have to fight for a seat at the table - the seat will be waiting for you.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The field is predominantly male, and males often put all females in one personality type, seeing them as emotional. To overcome obstacles, I build parallel relationships with colleagues so they speak up for me. I leverage technology like texting a colleague to ask a question I asked that was ignored. Over time, they realize I am assertive but calm, and value my precise contributions.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My personality is very factual. I will not try to give you something that I know will not serve you. I am straightforward, to the point. I recently did a DISC assessment and fall into the owl category, focused on correctness and compliance, which aligns with my role supporting the business.
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