I have dilligently attempting to enter into the EM field for 3 years now, with NO success!!! I am not gonna give up, we have to stay focused. It seems like most of the EM jobs are foucsed around Wash DC. and i Live on the West Coast. The EM community is very difficult to enter. We just have to keep our motivation and focus. It is hard to do, knowing that we have families and limited mobility which keeps us regional if not locally. Im currently in school with two young kids as a Junior persuing an BS in EM. I'm Gonna make it and every one of us will too.. We just have to get in and create a careeere track for the future. Until it is realize they need us they are not gonna respect us. Even with all the natural and manmade disasters occuring they are not seeing the assets that is available on the sidelines. Hopefully there eyes will open before it is too late... I agree with Ric Skinner about the formation of a EMCORPS or a GISCORPS that would match up those who are seeking experience, those with many years experience but leaving the active profession, and opportunities that disasters and large scale emergencies provide. What a better way to sustain the quality of the profession. It would make our profession a better and sustained carreere path.
I have been in the EM field for about six years now. Mostly working as a contract employee for Public Health because there are few full time permanent positions in my area. My personal experience has been that often times those that get hired for the experienced positions may have discipline experience (such as Public Health training or background) but little actual EM experience. I have also found that the majority of EM jobs entry level or otherwise are grant funded positions that come with little security. I am in the same boat with Tiffany regarding going back to school for something else. She is also dead on regarding the relocating issue, which for some of us with families and children creates an additional burden. On a final note, it is my opinion that until EM is viewed as a priority rather than a secondary or tertiary job duty and individuals whom go to college to obtain a degree in the field are seen as valuable the problem will remain.
It is extremely difficult to break into the EM field. I have been trying for almost 3 years now with no luck. Local and State offices seem to be full of people who have been there for years and don't plan to leave for even more years. There is little to no entry-level positions. It has become so conerning that I am thinking about going back to school for something else. I have learned one thing in this field you cannot look for the job in your local areas meaning you can't wait for the job to come to you. You will have to go to the job and that means relocating. I am currently looking all over the country for positions but so far still no luck.
I strongly agree with Eric Holdemans' assessment of our aging (me) EM population. It is extremely difficult to break into the EM field of work, especially for pay. I came in through the back door of Citizen Corps, CERT and finally the Medical Rserve Corps. I cross trained into many ICS positions and was put to work in the field (EOC). The learning curve is steep under disaster mode and we need to train others just for the sake of continuity of operations. I highly agree with the concept of EMCorps, it is a terrific idea, many of our CERT volunteers would transition into this easily and do a great job. We utilized the AmeriCorps program to fulfill openings in the dept, (huge budget restrictions - hiring freeze) and that has been a tremendous success. I would also look at the newly formed VeteransCorps (Wa ST) and utlize our returning veterans into slots as they become available. I have seen some of the best EM staff come out of these ranks.
Great article, but one other thing that should be mentioned is that a majority of those local government positions in the Northeast are volunteer only or a small stipend. Great training opportunities and experience. These positions need to be funded to retain the best personnel. Keep up the great work.
This is spot on my recent inquiry if now is the time and opportunity for "EMCorps"? There is a lot of concern expressed on various listservs and forums that older, well-experienced EMs are retiring and leaving the profession. There's also a lot of neophytes (students, transitions from other careers) with a sincere and serious interest in pursuing an EM career but don't have the experience to step into one of the many advertised "experience only" positions. There are an increasing number of academic institutions and training programs that teach EM concepts and processes but don't provide boots-on-the-ground opportunities to gain the critical experience needed. We don't want to lose the new generation of EMs to other jobs or professions because they can't find an EM job because they don't have requisite "real" experience. What better way for new inexperienced "EMs" to gain that experience so they can replace the senior EMs as they retire than create opportunities for the new "EMs" in the Haiti relief efforts (and other major disaster efforts that will occur), especially if those opportunities can be supported with an incentive such as forgiveness of college loan payback, college tuition subsidy, etc. To respond to this picture I suggest formally establishing "EMCorps" – along the lines of Senior Corps or JobCorps or Peace Corps or GISCorps -- that would match up those who are seeking experience, those with many years experience but leaving the active profession, and opportunities that disasters and large scale emergencies provide. The retiring EMs could "give back" by being EMCorps mentors and coordinators.
Right on, Eric! I am looking for a Jr. EM mentoring position myself! I feel I have much to offer and will work long and hard at it. I just need the chance to gain some experience and make a positive contribution. Any takers? Thank you regards, Dorian Young MA candidate, EDM program, American Military University tel 1 800 841 9877 email: dorian@kador.com