Now that I have my BS in Emergency Management and Homeland Security, what's next?

SFC John Russell — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 00:18:07 -0500

Now that I have my BS in Emergency Management and Homeland Security, what's next? At my age, is it even possible?

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Jan 17 at 2025 1:15 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 01:15:53 -0500

Anything is possible if you are in the right place at the right time and sometimes knowing the right people. Guess it depends on what you want and how bad you want it. Mostly we make our own "luck".

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2025 7:46 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 07:46:22 -0500

See what's available with FEMA or Dept of HLS?

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jan 17 at 2025 9:11 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 09:11:49 -0500

There's no reason why you wouldn't be able to find a position somewhere. There are plenty of Emergency Management positions at the City, County and State level if you can't find anything Federally. USAJobs is a slow burn on applications so it may help to pick up a more local position if you are waiting on job applications to circulate.

Response by LTC Rodney Joye made Jan 17 at 2025 12:03 PM

LTC Rodney Joye — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 12:03:45 -0500

Congrats.

Response by MSG Thomas Currie made Jan 17 at 2025 2:40 PM

MSG Thomas Currie — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 14:40:40 -0500

If you aren't immediately looking for a job in Emergency Management, several universities offer a Masters in Emergency Management. https://training.fema.gov/hiedu/collegelist/

So far as employment opportunities are concerned, most of the comments have mentioned federal, state, and local government positions, but most large corporations also have professional emergency management positions.

And, of course, there are academic positions for someone with a degree in emergency management. Although you would generally need that masters degree for a full teaching position at the college level, you might consider combining both by considering a TA position with a college while pursuing a masters at that same institution.

I'd say the real question is what do YOU want to do next...

FEMA Higher Education College List

A goal of FEMA is to encourage and support the dissemination of hazard, disaster, and emergency management-related information in colleges and universities across the U.S. We believe that in the future more and more emergency managers in government as well as in business and industry will come to the job with college education that includes a degree in emergency management. We also believe that in order to build disaster resistant and...

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Jan 18 at 2025 10:28 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Sat, 18 Jan 2025 22:28:31 -0500

Are you interested in moving for this position? I have a graduate degree in it, paramedic, firefighter, Civil Air Patrol, and unless I am willing to move, it has been pretty much a dead end.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jan 22 at 2025 11:55 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 11:55:36 -0500

You probably don't want to hear it, but your MS is the next step. That makes you competitive in local and state EM leadership opportunities. My last CIV job was the Contingency Engineering head for the Navy Northwest Region. We actually supported worldwide ops including Haiti earthquake and Fukushima, amongst others. We also had both DoE and Navy nuclear response as well. In observing how varied governments implemented, or tried to implement, decent EM programs, both 800 Level and MS credentials seemed to be most prevalent in the successful organizations.

Response by SFC Terry Creason made Jan 27 at 2025 5:54 PM

SFC Terry Creason — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 17:54:46 -0500

Masters and fema basic em cert is a great next step.

Response by A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney made Jan 28 at 2025 4:22 PM

A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 16:22:32 -0500

UH--- And "At my age" Means What?
But Here's An IKEA Starter Kit For Ya!
How To Write an Emergency Management Cover Letter in 5 Steps
http://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover...
Aug 15, 2024 · If you're applying for jobs in emergency management, knowing how to write a professional and effective cover letter is an important first step. Emergency managers have an important job, and showcasing your most relevant professional assets to a hiring manager can help you communicate your skills.

Just a moment...