Getting a degree in Emergency Management prepares you to help communities respond to unexpected crises. The training required to perform such an important task isn’t always easy, but it provides a good grounding for a rewarding career. The need for more experts in dealing with emergencies is clear by the huge number of programs that have sprung up in recent years. At last count, there were almost 200 different degree programs in Emergency Management. Should you consider attending one? Below, we list some of the benefits.
Resource: 50 Most Affordable Schools for an Emergency Management Degree 2015
You’ll be entering a growing, well-paying field.
The job outlook for people with degrees in Emergency Management is quite good. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job opportunities for emergency management directors are expected to grow steadily through at least 2024, fueled by the increasing realization that good emergency response requires the work of qualified professionals. U.S. News and World Report named emergency management specialist one of the 50 best jobs in America thanks to the anticipated growth over the next decade. The BLS estimates that the average yearly salary for emergency management directors is $64,360, close to twice the national average for all careers.
You’ll have lots of career options after you graduate.
An Emergency Management degree opens doors in a lot of places. The best-paying jobs in the field, according to the BLS, work in academia. There are also plenty of job openings for work in government, particularly at the state and local levels, or in hospitals. The fastest-growing area, however, is in the private sector, a category which includes private humanitarian non-profits. You won’t be saddled into a narrow career path, and job growth isn’t tied to the health of a single sector.
You can choose the degree program that fits your career goals.
No two Emergency Management degree programs are the same. Each has its own unique strengths. Because there are so many programs, it would be impossible to list all the differences here. Before you decide on a program, take a look at as many options as possible to see which will best prepare you for the job you want.
You can also choose a program that matches your schedule.
Because there are so many options out there, you can find an Emergency Management degree program that fits your needs. Many traditional colleges and universities have begun offering degrees in the field recently, but there are also plenty of programs that let you earn your degree online. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Attending school on a traditional campus makes it easier to work with and get help from your fellow students, but online programs offer unmatched flexibility. Some programs are full-time, allowing you to graduate sooner. Others are part-time, letting you continue working as you further your education.
You can make a difference.
Finally, working as an emergency manager comes with rewards beyond the steady work and good pay. It’s a simple as this: Whether by preventing emergencies, planning for them or responding to them, emergency managers save innocent lives. It can be stressful, challenging work sometimes, and it doesn’t always feel heroic, but few career paths give you a chance to help so many people. An Emergency Management degree won’t just prepare you do to well. It will prepare you to do good.
As you can see, there are many excellent reasons to get an Emergency Management degree. If you think a career in dealing with emergencies is right for you, you should start researching some of the many degree programs now available in the field.
Additional Resource: Top 10 Online Emergency Management Degree Programs 2015