What do you do if you need guidance navigating the early stages of an Emergency Management career?

Networking is an excellent first step early on in your EM career. What I suggest is using LinkedIn to search for someone who currently has your dream job. Send them a connection request and ask about how they got their career started and any advice they would give themselves if they were starting over. But also know with networking, not everyone is going to respond, and that's ok. There are also LinkedIn groups like AEMO that were created for those trying to enter the field.

Outside of networking I think a big thing people could do to help start their career is get involved. A lot of agencies may not have open paid positions but will gladly take interns or volunteers into the program. Join local responder agencies of non profits that work in disaster environments to build your experience and network with the right people! Unfortunately this field sometimes gets pushed under other roles and job titles and usually is a second thought to those people so getting involved will help you meet and network with the right people while building the experience and education. Plus the association usually helps get you into needed classes with fee exemptions. That last may apply more to where I work in North Carolina.

Volunteering with disaster-related organizations or interning with EM offices is a great way to gain experience as you build your network and profile for a career in Emergency Management. There is no substitute for spending time before, during, and after a disaster with people focused on how to help. You'll learn the language, plans, processes, roles/responsibilities, and most importantly, learn from the people whose careers will have lessons for you. So get to know people and their stories in EM. Dig your well before you're thirsty - figure out how to help and add value to your network before asking for help. As your career unfolds, people will move into different jobs (as will you) and having a solid reputation will serve you well.

What has helped me is taking every opportunity to learn from all the incredible men and women in this field that have decades of experience. You don't work in this field for the money, so most, if not all are passionate about teaching and are constant learners themselves. Find as many of them as you can and ask questions, volunteer, take on extra assignments. It's life changing, and the satisfaction you get from this line of work stays with you your whole life.

Role Familiarization: Learn diverse Emergency Management roles like emergency planners and public information officers to specialize effectively. Tailored Education: Align education with roles; e.g., IT professionals transitioning to emergency management can leverage existing skills in new ways. Real-World Examples: Janet from IT can bridge to emergency management by finding an IT position in the field. Career Path Clarity: Understand roles like logistics coordinators to navigate early career stages effectively. Diverse Skill Set: Develop skills like communication and planning, crucial for roles such as documentation specialists in emergency management.

Start by networking with seasoned professionals, seeking mentorship, and engaging in continuous learning. Prioritize hands-on experience through volunteer work to build practical skills. Stay informed on current trends and best practices to navigate this dynamic field successfully.