Whether you are just starting out in your career or are a seasoned professional serving the hazmat environmental industry, IHMM offers resources and professional credentials to help you advance and grow in your career.
Hear from one of IHMM’s Certificant Insiders on why they chose to pursue a credential through IHMM.
 | Q&A with IHMM Certificant InsiderAbby A. Holovach, MS, CHMM, CSP, REM |
What or who motivated you to earn an IHMM credential?
In 2016, I started my EHS career as an environmental regulator in Texas, and at that time, I had basically zero knowledge about hazardous materials. Fresh out of school with a B.S. in Zoology and an M.S. in Environmental Science, I was a newbie to real-world application of the regulations – everyone’s favorite type of regulator, right?!
But it was at this point that my love for “all things waste” blossomed, and it subsequently exploded when I began working at a waste management and spill response company in the Environmental Compliance & Waste Department. After a few years, I also absorbed health and safety responsibilities, which propelled my growth as a well-rounded EHS professional, eventually ending up as the company’s EHS & Waste Director.
However, even after all that experience, I would still struggle sometimes with imposter syndrome, and I wanted to find a way to overcome my own self-doubts. After doing some sniffing around about what relevant certifications were out there, I decided the CHMM was right up my alley. I studied via flashcards for a few months, put off the exam for a few more months, and then finally scheduled it in March 2022 – and passed! I surprised myself with how much I knew, and this confidence boost eventually led to my pursuit of professional growth and more certifications – Associate Safety Professional (ASP – 2022), Certified Safety Professional (CSP – 2023), and Registered Environmental Manager (REM – 2024). Additionally, in Spring 2026, I am going back to school to earn my M.S in Occupational Health & Safety. And it all started with my CHMM!
Are there any opportunities you’re looking forward to as a result of earning an IHMM credential?
Being a CHMM has provided me with valuable credibility in my field. This has proven especially beneficial after starting my own business, Vibe Environmental, where I provide environmental, health, and safety consulting and training services to a wide variety of clients in different industries. Having the CHMM credential shows my peers, clients, and potential clients that my hazmat experience and knowledge have been vetted and tested, which is invaluable for my business’ growth and sustainability.
What would you say to someone who is considering earning an IHMM credential?
Obtaining my CHMM certification was a really proud moment for me because it was my first actual industry certification I earned after leaving school. It felt meaningful because it was directly related to what I’m passionate about and my field. I always tell people that the CHMM exam has “real-world” questions and application, versus “theoretical” or “fact-memorization” questions. So, if you have that “real-world” experience, push aside your testing fears and go for it! You will surprise yourself!
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