A career in the field of emergency management can provide solid rewards for those up to the challenge. The experts at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimate that employment opportunities for emergency management directors will grow by six percent between 2014 and 2024. Higher demand for these professionals will likely result in an increase in entry-level positions for emergency management specialists as well. Selecting a concentration within this fast-paced field can help students stand out in the job market and achieve a greater degree of success.
Resource: 20 Top Emergency Management Bachelor’s Degree Programs under $23,000 Average Net 2014
Here are five primary concentrations to consider when choosing an emergency management degree program.
Disaster Preparedness
Disaster preparedness professionals specialize in putting the right elements in place to ensure readiness when an emergency situation arises. Students typically take courses in relationships with state and federal agencies, management of hazardous materials, protective devices and strategies, risk assessment, resource management and mass public communications. This training can provide the skills and knowledge needed to deal with natural disasters and other emergencies. By making advance plans for a wide variety of scenarios, students who specialize in disaster preparedness can have a positive impact on communities during the aftermath of major emergency situations. Available programs may lead to an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree or to certification as a disaster preparedness professional.
Business Continuity
Emergency management programs that concentrate on business continuity are designed to provide a thorough grounding not only in the challenges facing companies in disaster situations but also in the most effective techniques to prepare for and remediate damage caused by these events. Coursework focuses primarily on maintaining corporate reputations, ensuring ongoing operational capacity and putting plans in place to deal with natural and man-made disasters. These degree programs generally include added classes in business practices to ensure that graduates are ready to perform duties in the corporate environment. Associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs are among the available options for students.
Homeland Security
Selecting a concentration in homeland security issues can help emergency management degree seekers to prepare for a career in state or local government. Emergency management certification pathways are available for both undergraduate and graduate students. Coursework generally encompasses global studies, the root causes of terrorism and the investigative methods used to detect it, intelligence gathering, leadership and communication skills and responses to disaster situations. Some programs include classes in drone applications for monitoring emergency situations and providing relief in remote areas. Online and brick-and-mortar bachelor’s and master’s degree programs are available for students in this specialty field of emergency management.
Fire Science
With wildfires and industrial fires presenting serious risks to many areas of the U.S., fire science and emergency management degrees are becoming a more popular choice for many students interested in the field of public safety. Required classes usually include a general overview of fire prevention practices, preparedness, recovery strategies for crisis management, political and legal aspects of emergency response, risk reduction and overall disaster response strategies. Successful graduates will generally be prepared for leadership positions in the first response field or in state and federal agencies tasked with responding to fires, terrorist attacks and other emergency situations. Bachelor’s degrees are among the most common options for students interested in this academic concentration.
Public Safety Leadership
Students seeking a career as an administrator in the emergency management field can often benefit by seeking a degree program with a concentration in public safety leadership. Coursework focuses primarily on the public service aspects of emergency response and includes classes in communications, operations and techniques, mitigation and forward planning, organizational behavior, legal and ethical concepts and effective decision making in emergency situations. After graduation, students generally go on to careers in government and first response agencies and work to shape the direction of disaster response and recovery in the service of public safety. Online options are available for Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs in this essential specialty.
Choosing a career path in emergency management can allow graduates to make a real difference in the safety and well-being of the general public. By focusing on one of these key concentrations, students can pave the way to a rewarding career in this exciting public safety field.
Additional Resource: Top 10 Best Online Emergency Management Degree Programs