Is an Emergency Management Degree Right for Me?

Emergency and disaster management degrees are for those wanting a career path in disaster and emergency management. This includes roles in the prevention and relief of emergencies and disasters.

Deciding what major is right for you can be tricky, and a major in emergency management is a big commitment that can also be very rewarding. Keep reading to learn more about emergency management degrees and how to determine if an emergency management degree is right for you.

What Is an Emergency Management Degree?

Emergency management degree programs prepare students to manage the sites of disasters. They also teach students disaster preparedness and disaster response. These majors are typically offered as bachelor's degrees, but occasionally as graduate degrees. Bachelor's degrees usually take about four years of full-time study to complete.

What Does an Emergency Management Major Study?

Emergency management majors study disaster and emergency preparedness and response. Common coursework topics include:

• emergency management principles
• disaster and emergency response
• disaster and emergency planning
• disaster recovery
• risk assessment
• public service ethics

Some emergency management degree programs offer concentrations or specializations, which may include:

• crisis management
• homeland security
• public administration
• public health
• public safety

Depending on your degree program, you may be required to complete an internship or field experience. This gives you a real-world look at emergency management operations.

Why You Should Consider a Degree in Emergency Management

Emergency management careers are often varied, so you might want to consider a degree in emergency management. We've listed a few reasons below.

Emergency Management Professionals Help People

One key reason that many emergency management professionals enter the field is because they want to help people. If you've got a heart for caring for others, a career in emergency management may be for you.

Emergency management professionals help people in numerous ways. They can work to prevent disasters from happening and be there to help when disasters do occur. During emergencies, they may:

• direct medical staff to patients in need
• dispense supplies like water and medication
• help rescue people in danger

A Variety of Job Roles Are Available in Emergency Management

Many people who major in emergency management choose to go into roles that deal with emergency preparedness and response, like emergency management specialists or emergency management directors. However, those with emergency management degrees can also find roles in:

• criminal justice
• cybersecurity
• homeland administration
• social services
• public health

There Is Room for Growth Within Emergency Management Career Paths

Typically, jobs in emergency management require a few years of experience in the emergency management field, like the military, law enforcement, fire safety, or something similar. You can also gain work experience with roles in emergency and disaster management. This involves assisting and volunteering for emergency management agencies, which include the Red Cross and other nonprofits.

After you've spent time in entry-level roles, you can move into career opportunities like emergency management specialist and emergency management director. These roles are often leaders in:

• disaster mitigation
• disaster management
• disaster recovery operations

Emergency Managers Are In Demand

Multiple facets of emergency management are expected to experience job growth in the coming years. For example, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for emergency management directors is expected to grow by 3% over the next decade.

This makes sense when you consider that emergencies are always going to happen. Even if you could stop every act of terrorism, you can't stop the weather. There will always be hurricanes, tornados, and floods, and there will always be people needed to respond to these emergencies.

Every Day in Emergency Management Is Different

For most emergency management professionals, each day on the job has something new and different. You could spend one day creating a plan for evacuating an area about to be hit by a hurricane, the next day helping evacuees leave the city, and the day after that rescuing those who couldn't evacuate.

While there is still plenty of administrative work to do in emergency management and human resources, working in emergency management means there is always something to plan for or manage.

Job Opportunities for Emergency Management Degree Majors

There are multiple career options for emergency management majors. These include:

• community health worker
• community services manager
• certified emergency manager
• emergency management specialist
• firefighter
• law enforcement officer

Emergency management professionals can work for many employers in many different sectors. For example, they can work for government agencies like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) providing disaster relief after natural disasters, or for the Department of Homeland Security creating response plans for terrorist attacks.

They can also work in hospitals or public health settings to create emergency management programs for when disease outbreaks happen or a large number of people are injured in a domestic terrorist incident. They may also work in emergency services or as first responders, prepared to face emergencies head-on. Jobs are available in dispatch as well as on-site.

Roles are also available in the private sector, working for private companies specializing in risk management and identifying and solving vulnerabilities.

Specific roles, especially in management, require licensure or certification. One common one is the certified emergency manager (CEM) certification offered by the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM). Some roles may also require additional higher education like a master's degree.

Emergency Management Degree: Questions To Ask Yourself

If you still aren't sure if an emergency management degree is the right choice for you, there are a few questions you can ask yourself. These include:

• Am I comfortable working in dangerous situations?
• Am I able to keep my cool in emergencies?
• Am I good at planning and management?
• Am I comfortable helping people with severe medical conditions or those living in unsanitary situations?
• Would I be willing to move to an area that needs disaster and emergency management, like Florida or other parts of the Southeast?