Emergency management degree programs prepare students to deal with disasters, whether they are natural ones or man-made. The nature of these catastrophes requires responders to have a specific set of skills, skills that they must acquire in order to graduate. Having one of these degrees prepares the student to follow any of a wide variety of career paths, some of which may not directly involve managing emergencies; they will be given a perspective that allows them to see the ways in which technology and cooperation between different agencies can benefit those affected by disasters.
Skills for Disaster Management
What skills are needed for effective disaster management? Leadership is an important one, as is the ability to solve problems and to make quick decisions. The ability to communicate is essential. An emergency management degree program will provide these skills to students.
Topics Covered in Emergency Management Degree Courses
Emergency management core courses will include:
• Disaster Preparedness
• Disaster Mitigation
• Disaster Recovery
The degree program may also include courses on sociology and homeland security. Students who want a minor that will complement their emergency management degree may choose from such areas as business administration and political science.
Careers in Emergency Management
Not all graduates will necessarily work in the emergency management field. Since courses place a high priority on verbal and written communication, students are prepared for work in a range of professions. Students can choose to focus on the healthcare aspects, or on the administrative aspects of their field; there are emergency management degree programs that allow for different career paths or combinations of the different concentrations. Here are few examples of emergency management professions:
• Emergency Management Directors
This individual will be responsible for the coordination of disaster response and crisis management efforts, which include organizing evacuations and providing public shelters. They may also be expected to create plans for the response to disasters and for the recovery from such incidents. Emergency management directors will also form connections with municipalities and other local government entities in order to share resources.
• Disaster Preparedness Instructors
Much of this job involves determining the training needs for various organizations, as well as preparing lesson plans and re-evaluating them as needed. They will help to coordinate emergency preparedness plans and provide information to members of the public who want to know about emergency preparedness services.
• Risk Management Specialists
The work of these professionals involves researching and recommending methods of reducing asset liability. They create programs for mitigating loss and ensuring compliance with safety regulations and industry guidelines.
The Value of an Emergency Management Degree
Disasters occur regularly, the different scenarios are complex and demanding. Both public and private organizations are required to respond immediately to limit the consequences, and minimize the impact on those affected. The need for knowledgeable people to handle emergencies means that graduates will enter a marketplace that is likely to need their skills for a long time to come. The Bureau of Labor Statistics bears this out and forecasts an increasing need for people with emergency management skills.
While police officers and firefighters may be the most visible responders, dealing with a large-scale catastrophe requires there to be a host of other workers behind the scenes. An emergency management degree is essential for anyone hoping to take on the task of organizing and coordinating disaster response efforts.