Plan your career: Putting life skills to maximum use

In the past decade, natural and unnatural disasters have killed millions of people, close to a billion. Sadly, two–thirds of the people killed are from developing countries like our own. India is considered to be the world’s most disaster-prone country. 

Hence, disaster management becomes imminent in a country like ours. It includes planning, organising, staffing, leading and controlling. Also, it involves various organisations and individuals. We face floods, droughts, earthquakes, cyclones, landslides, riots, industrial accidents, lynching and killings.  We all must realise that disasters of any kind are an economic burden to our country. 

One of the best ways to face challenges in the future is to introduce disaster management as a study and have qualified personnel to guide governments and communities in developing sustainable policies to look into disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness and relief. 

To start making a difference, you have to acquire knowledge and skills. A postgraduate qualification prepares you studying risk, crisis and disaster management. There are some overseas universities that offer distance learning. It could be interesting for you to explore. Indian Institute of Remote Sensing of Indian Space Research Organization and National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) under Ministry of Home Affairs also offer relevant courses. There are undergraduate, postgraduate and diploma courses available across the country in various universities and colleges. One can also pursue MBA degree in Disaster Management. 

There are jobs available with governments and non-governmental organisations that position you from humanitarian relief to development. The area of study and career placement is getting recognised. Since there are fewer people choosing this career, the placement is on a high scale. You can also win scholarships if you have a good record of relevant volunteering. 

The jobs are available in emergency planning, crisis communication, infectious disease management, risk analysis, reinsurance, business continuity, security management, emergency logistics, civil defence and humanitarian management.