If you are studying for a career in the emergency management field, you may be interested in learning more about joining the student council of the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM). This is a non-profit organization with eight regional councils and over 9,000 members around the world. They are primarily an educational group, with the goal of helping emergency management workers to find networking and professional development opportunities which in turn will help to promote and support the profession.
The Different Councils
As an organization that represents emergency managers around the world, the International Association of Emergency Managers is divided into eight different councils or chapters. These are generally divided by regional location. The seven regional councils are named Asia, Canada, Europa, International, Latin America and Caribbean, Oceania, and USA. If you are unsure which council you should join, you can visit the organization’s website to find your particular location and learn the cost of your dues as well as the benefits of membership.
The eighth council listed on their website is not designated by location. It’s the student council, and those who join it are students of emergency management around the world. Emergency management can be studies at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Members who are still in school can enjoy the benefits of networking, information and professional development that the association provides, but pay a smaller fee to join and maintain membership. Currently there are three active councils of students: Canada, Oceania and the United States. The students of these councils have their own board and leadership as well as their own bylaws and procedures.
University Chapters
Students who are interested in learning more about the organization may want to join a chapter at their university. You can find a list of the specific chapters, along with links with more information about each, at the organizational home page. If you are interested in joining a chapter and discover that your college or university doesn’t have one, you can even download a file with all the information needed to start one. This includes advisor agreements and other documents, as well as information that can help you to plan an informal meeting to which you can invite other students. Some of the already organized chapters have social media pages that can give you a glimpse of how these chapters can encourage students in their learning about the emergency management profession.
Starting or joining a chapter while at university can provide you with a link to the wider organization and give you opportunities to attend conferences and meet with other students who are also learning about emergency management jobs. The international association also provides job boards, which can be a good resource as you near graduation and begin to seek work in the field. Emergency management can be a fulfilling job, giving you the opportunity to help people and protect properties during times of disaster and crisis. Since the student fee to join IAEM is quite reasonable, you may find joining it an excellent investment in your career.