A recent blog article about PTSC-Online membership raised a couple of points about seeking emergency management related employment. I am reposting the question and suggestions from other members here so they will be easier to find by others who are pursuing emergency management related employment.
I realize this blog is meant for posting notices of available jobs and employment wanted but I could not think of a more appropriate place to put this information so it would be seen by those who may benefit from it.
FIRST POST:
I have been actively seeking EM job opportunities in the GTA with little success. Are there any mentorships or internships available where I can receive guidance, so I may leverage my experience to contribute more to EM?
I appreciate any advice, guidance or comments.
REPLIES:
Thanks for your comments Daniel. I can recommend a couple of things which might help. There is an employment blog in the student's section where you can document more about the type of work you desire and your qualifications. When entries appear in any of our blogs we use social media to promote them to increase the number of times they are read. PTSC-Online has a networking partnership with the Ontario Association of Emergency Managers and they are in the process of developing a mentorship program. Increasing your visibility and demonstrating your capabilities to those who may hire you by volunteering to assist with projects is a strategy I often recommend. I would be pleased to discuss some of these offline with you. Also please tale a look at the OAEM training section, specifically the learning opportunities, professional development workshops and training courses as they may help. There is also an employment section in OAEM-Online. I hope these suggestions help. Possible someone else will leave some useful comments for you.
To be honest, if you do not have a hefty CV, I might suggest looking beyond the GTA. The scope and budgets of any of the public agencies there are fairly significant, thus they may have minimum experience requirements more easily attained in smaller communities. Of course, smaller communities correlate to smaller budgets, thus as Mr. Mackay mentions, some amount of volunteer work may be in order. Part time EM positions, while tending to require a tad more work than their portfolios may imply, are more common it seems. (Mind you, my experience is in the public sector, and have limited experience regarding private industry EM work, at least in this country)
. Best of luck!
In the field of emergency services work, developed relationships will benefit you in a time of need. Complete your profile and benefit from a large online community of like-minded professionals.
3 Comments
Daniel, I can relate to your frustration. It is a tough time with so many cutbacks. I have been developing a lot of relationships in the smaller communities to find that the answer is always limited budgets. If you are able to go abroad take a look at organizations like Samaritan's Purse or World Vision other options and to gain some great experience. If you want to stay closer to home look into your nearest Red Cross and Salvation Army or United Way. Whatever you do, continue to keep building your skill sets any way you can to keep current! It is nice to know we are not alone and there are great resources such as PTSC to keep us connected:)
William, thanks for the tips I will check those ideas out and continue to "pound the pavement"
Looking for employment is often a tedious and time-consuming endeavor and it be can be discouraging at times, especially when government agencies and private businesses are looking to cutback, do more with less, and downsize. I came to the GTA from the Montreal region and relocating meant I would have to rebuild my reputation and create a whole new network in this area, it hasn't always been easy but I certainly have met some extraordinary people along the way. I have been pleasantly surprised at how helpful complete strangers can be and I have found that many people who are experienced in our field are willing to go the extra mile to assist fellow members of the Emergency Management family; the PTSC community is a very good example of this. Daniel, I think that you're on the right path by asking questions, soliciting help and taking advice from those who have the expertise and insight to support you in your search. Be courageous and good luck to you…Lynn
Thank you all for great advice.
The Red Cross has been a great avenue for new contacts, experiences, and contributions to my community.
Currently, I hold several positions:
Disaster Response Team Lead
Personal Preparedness Workshop Presenter
Member of a Professional Emergency Management Support Group (Created by Susan FitzGerald)
- Working with other EM professionals in the red cross to develop new ideas, workshops, and exercises.
I also teach Self Protection/ Self Defense workshops throughout the GTA and network through a small business group in Toronto.
I understand that budgets are limited and everyone is seeking the same EM positions. That is why I am shifting gears and pursuing other non-EM related avenues for employment in the areas of training, planning and/or analysis within any sector that fits with my background and where I can contribute.
Once, I have joined a team, then I can build relationships with Management and all the departments and find methods of improving their EM infrastructure by offering the company my skills, by doing two jobs and extra work.
I just have to get in the door. I think that with more of us new EM professionals working our way into other organizations that aren't strong in EM, and improving awareness, it will build throughout the whole system, and add value to the main EM organizations.
I also operate an EM Blog and I would be interested in having others do guest posts. Especially regarding their struggles with finding EM employment.
www.emergencymanagementnotjusttalk.wordpress.com
Email me at [email protected] if you are interested.
Your thoughts?
Post a comment