This month has been one of almost constant travel for me, between speaking engagements and the IAEM Conference in San Antonio. However, the high point of my month was the opportunity to address a group of emergency management students at Dublin City University's School of Business. DCU has the only emergency management program in Ireland and the students were all seasoned veterans of emergency services organizations. It was a tremendous opportunity to learn from my Irish colleagues and it's comforting to know that we all share the same problems and the same concerns.

As we advance in our careers, I think it's important that we give back to the profession by helping to educate those who will follow us. When is the last time you volunteered your time as a guest speaker in an emergency management education program? It's not as daunting a task as you think if you keep several concepts in mind:

1. Recognize that some of your students may actually know more than you about our profession. They are enrolled in formal programs that we did not have when we started out and have been more exposed to research literature.
2. Don't portray yourself as an expert in all things. Rather approach the opportunity as a colleague who wants to offer a point of view for the students' consideration.
3. Encourage students to disagree with you if they wish and use that as an opportunity to engage in a dialogue. You're there to make them think, not to score debating points.

Speaking to a group of students brings you a number of benefits:

1. It's an opportunity to practice your presentation skills in a low-risk environment.
2. It's an opportunity to get fresh ideas from people who don't necessarily carry the baggage we do.
3. It counts towards professional certification.
4. It's just fun!

This month's Life Balance article is by Jim Cheek, Florida Operations Emergency Management Coordinator for United Space Alliance:

 

I remember a management class I attended many years ago when the instructor asked the class who thought their job could not do without them.  Many raised their hands.  He then asked how many people had worked with someone who died while employed by the same company they worked for.  Several again raised their hands.  The instructor then asked "What was his name?"  No one could remember.  Sort of puts things in perspective.  When you leave your job for whatever reason, it's just like pulling your hand from a bucket of water.

Speaking Engagements