2009 Emergency Management Student Survey

Paul GorczycaFirst Vice President, IAEM – USA Student Region

Brian SilvaPresident, IAEM –USA Student Region

Changes From 2008• Length• Questions• What are we looking to accomplish?

Demographics• Survey Results as of May 15, 2009• 210 Respondents• 72% Male• 40% Between ages 22-30• 82% Caucasian• 58% Working Full Time• 29% Earning less that $20,000

Gender

Age

Ethnicity

Academics• 26% Pursuing B.S. ( 19% pursuing M.S., 11%

pursuing M.A and 11% pursuing doctorate)• 44% enrolled in 100% online program (33% on

campus)• 58% maintain Full Time Status

• 46% rank Academic Standards of their program as “Excellent”

• 33% rank incorporation of current developments in the field as “Very Good and Excellent”

Degree Programs

Enrollment Status

Academics• 37% rank their overall EM Program as “Excellent”• 65% see a gap between academics and practical

experience• 41% rank intellectual quality of professors as

“Excellent”• 41% rank practical/real world experience of

professors as “Excellent”

Is there a gap between academia and real world experience?

Work Experience

• 35% currently employed in EM or other related field (27% have never been employed in EM or related field)

• 29% have worked less than 1 year in the field.• 49% working in public sector

Personal Development• 94% belong to IAEM• 46% never attended EM related conference• 86% never presented at EM related conference• 70% have participated in “real-life” EM related

incident (Haz-Mat, Natural Disaster, MCI, Etc.)• 70% have never worked as an intern during their

academic program

Career Preparation• 64% of students academics institutions

offer career counseling and EM networking

• 61% have never met w/ career counselor or faculty to discuss EM careers

• 75% have never received advice/counseling on interviewing/resume/cover letter writing

• 75% never received help in searching for EM or other related job.

Volunteerism• 39% currently volunteer• 80% have volunteered for 0-5 years

Principles of Emergency Management

• How well does you University incorporate each principle into the EM Program– Comprehensive - 41% “Very Good”– Progressive - 38% “Very Good”– Risk-Driven - 36% “Very Good”– Integrated - 38% “Very Good”– Collaborative - 35% “Very Good”– Coordinated - 42% “Very Good”– Flexible - 34% “Very Good”– Professional - 38% “Very Good”

Research• 70% have conducted

research as part of their degree program

• 70% have conducted their research on the topic of “Preparedness”

• 85% have never had their research published

Student Thoughts

• Students looking for more hands-on learning• Break from academia to real world practical learning• More assistance in job searching networking and career development• Internships and Research needs to be improved

THANK YOU!Any questions??

Paul Gorczyca – gork315@gmail.comBrian Silva – bsilva@gmail.com