If you’re thinking about pursing an emergency management degree online, then you may be wondering if there are any drawbacks associated with a distance learning program. Emergency preparedness and management is a growing career field with many opportunities. Because it’s a relatively new profession in terms of certification and educational training, emergency preparedness is also evolving. More schools around the country are offering programs that are specifically designed to prepare students for crisis management, and you can find on-campus and Internet-based programs alike. However, not every training program is created equal. When it comes to professions that largely draw on experience over formal education, earning a degree via web comes with a few disadvantages.
Resource: Top 10 Online Emergency Management Degree Programs 2015
Less Hands-on Experience
Traditional on-campus programs combine textbook information with practical, hands-on experiences, such as internships. In a 2011 article on what students should know about emergency management programs, several graduates indicated that experience matters when it comes to finding a job. In fact, programs like this typically include opportunities for working on a campus-sponsored crisis response team. Local disasters and emergencies, too, provide students with real-life exposure to the types of situations that they’ll be encountering in this line of work. With a distance learning program, your options are limited for real-world exposure. You may have to settle for simulated scenarios, and you won’t gain as much hands-on experience as your peers who are taking traditional courses.
Fewer Networking Opportunities
Attending virtual classes allows students to make connections not only with classmates and instructors but within local communities. Most colleges host networking events and career fairs for students. You may be able to register for these events as a student regardless of your residency status, but you may not hear about them in the first place since most advertise on campus. Missing out on networking opportunities is one of the big drawbacks of taking classes off campus. Aside from education and training, having connections is one good way to get your foot in the door no matter your career path. To compensate for the lack of networking opportunities, consider attending local job fairs in your area. Area chambers of commerce typically host events throughout the year to connect businesses with college graduates.
Theory over Practice
Entering the workforce as someone trained in the theory of crisis management is different from having the experience and hands-on training necessary to complete the job. As stated earlier, online students often lack the same level of practical experience. Likewise, web-based programs are usually designed to supplement a person’s real-world experience, as in the cases of nurses or police officers. If you’re new to the career, then you may benefit from a traditional course structure. Employers are looking for crisis management personnel that can bring personal knowledge and up-to-date theories to their organizations. A distance learning program alone probably won’t be enough.
The field of disaster response is open to a wide range of careers, but it’s not always as straightforward as it seems to find the right path. Employers, including government and private agencies, are looking for highly experienced candidates with good education and significant training. Distance learning offers a convenient way to get an education because you can find a program that works around your schedule. You can pursue an emergency management degree online, but you should be aware of the drawbacks before committing to a program.
Additional Resource: 50 Most Affordable Schools for an Emergency Management Degree 2015