Building the bridge between education and experience: The case for experiential learning in emergency management education

Wayne P. Bergeron, DSc

doi:10.5055/jem.2019.0416

Authors

Wayne P. Bergeron, DSc

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jem.2019.0416

Keywords:

Experiential Learning, EM education, career opportunities

Abstract

While the increasing professionalism of the Emergency Management (EM) field has brought great benefits and opportunities, increasingly the bar to entry into the profession has been on a steep incline with ever increasing mandatory and preferred requirements for EM job applicants it seems. For the EM student or new EM graduate with limited experience opportunities, this can be a severe handicap in the quest to secure a viable entry level EM position. Experiential Learning provides an excellent solution to this problem.

Author Biography

Wayne P. Bergeron, DSc

Department of Politics, Justice, and Law, Security and Emergency Management, The University of North Alabama, Florence, Alabama

References

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Paulk A: Experiential Learning Initiative: Emerging Leaders Project. Florence, AL: University of North Alabama, College of Arts and Sciences, 2017.

National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE): Job outlook 2016: The attributes employers want to see on new college graduates’ resumes 2016. Available at http://www.naceweb.org/career-development/trends-and-predictions/job-outlook-2016-attributes-employers-want-to-see-on-new-college-graduates-resumes/. Accessed June 15, 2017.