Are you considering pursuing a career in emergency management? One thing that you will quickly learn when visiting a high school or college counselor is that emergency management is not a commonly discussed field because there are so many different paths that you can take to get into this government services field. One thing is for sure, if you want to become a member of the field of emergency management, you will need to focus on completing a higher education program. Read on and learn everything you need to know about the field, emergency management studies, and which degrees will land you a job in the field.
What Does an Emergency Manager Do?
One thing that is great about the field of emergency management is the fact that it is unique. Unlike some fields that are growing in the nation, many people who are in Generation Y or Generation X do not know about the field. An emergency manager takes part in offering services before, during, and after some type of disaster strikes. When you enter the field, you will either work in mitigation, preparedness, response teams, or recovery depending on what you want to do and what you are qualified to do.
Understanding the Phases of Emergency Management
A mitigation manager will find ways to reduce damage before disasters occur by identifying hazards and reducing the hazards that exist. A preparedness team member may manage the planning process to prepare for a disaster in an effort to save lives and property. An emergency manager that is part of the response phase of the field will coordinate the efforts for medical and emergency first-responders. Managers in the recovery phase will then work to restore the community back to its condition after the disaster has passed. In many cases recovery phases can take months or years.
Educational Requirements for Emergency Management Jobs
Emergency management jobs, because they are in government services, do require either academic training or sufficient experience. To become an emergency manager, a coordinator, or a director, you will need to pursue a degree. In the past, there was not a degree program that has a strong focus or emphasis in Emergency Management, but today there are specialization programs that focus on exactly this.
With the profession predicted to grow by 20 percent in the next few years, several different schools have developed special programs to prepare graduates for the bright occupation that is high in demand. By completing a Bachelor’s degree program in Emergency Management, you can obtain all of the skills you need to graduate school and get a job in the field. This is why most employers, both private and government entities, are primarily looking for candidates who possess a BS in Emergency Management. After completing the program, taking a test to become a Certified Emergency Manager will help you compete even more in the field.
Requirements for entry-level emergency managers are expected to get even more strict in the upcoming years. This is why those who are serious about entering the field should dedicate time to earning a degree. Compare all of the Emergency Management programs that are available, and earn a degree so that you can compete.