Public Health Students and Disaster Management Specialization
- Natural Versus Human Disasters
- Necessary Skills
- Government Versus Humanitarian Work
- Academic Requirements
- Career Paths
The ability of individuals and communities to recover from disasters is fully dependent on efficient disaster management. This is therefore a very rewarding specialization for public health students to consider. Here are five things all public health students should keep in mind when exploring this possibility.
Natural Versus Human Disasters
When signing up to work in disaster management, students must bear in mind that they will be dealing with disasters caused by both nature and humans. Working with natural disasters requires the ability to cope with the unknown and lack of control over circumstances. Getting involved in human-created disasters demands a high level of emotional intelligence in order to put oneself into the mindsets of both perpetrators and victims. The Procedia Journal of Social and Behavioral Sciences published this article about the relationship between emotional intelligence and effective communication during disaster.
Necessary Skills
Whether natural or human, disaster management professionals possess a unique set of professional and intellectual skills. The first is an ability to make sound decisions very quickly. When disaster strikes, life-and-death decisions arise by the second. The second is strong leadership the ability to efficiently delegate tasks. One person cannot manage any disaster alone, but improper allocation of duties leads to bottle-necking and neglect of some needs. Everyone feels vulnerable during disaster, so disaster management professionals must exude confidence and trustworthiness. Finally, critical thinking skills are essential. Disaster is rarely black and white, so disaster management teams must learn to analyze situations and find answers between the lines.
Government Versus Humanitarian Work
Both governmental and non-governmental programs and agencies work together to prevent and manage disasters of all kinds. This affords students the ability to decide which arena is the best fit for their skills and personalities. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is the branch of the United States government devoted to this process. Non-governmental agencies and organizations play a variety of roles in assisting with disaster management. An article published by the Research Journal of Agricultural Sciences offers an overview of some of these roles.
Academic Requirements
A typical public health program lasts about five semesters when attending courses full time. This includes core coursework and electives. When specializing in disaster management, students will tailor their elective choices to courses in this area. All students must complete a terminal project. The specific structure of this project will depend on each individual program, but it will likely involve research and community involvement. Students specializing in disaster management will be able to tailor this project to that area, providing them with a good preview of what their future careers will involve.
Career Paths
There are a wide variety of career paths available within disaster management. Students should start thinking about which paths they want to take during the degree program, so that they can take advantage of opportunities to specialize their learning and form professional networks. Some disaster management professionals work in disaster planning and prevention, while others work in response and recovery. There are positions geared towards behind the scenes aspect, such as research and statistics. Other positions take workers to the front lines, visiting disaster sites and organizing teams.
Related Resource: 10 Fastest MPH Degree Programs Online
There is a valuable and rewarding career path for every public health student interested in disaster management. This career path can also be very emotionally and physically demanding. It is therefore advisable to spend some time exploring and processing the field before diving in.