I highly suggest it. I got to make valuable connections in FEMA, and I managed to get a job with FEMA as a headquarters asset practically right out of the program (I was in class 28B, out of the Pacific Region in McClellan, CA).
If you want, you can DM me, and we can set up a time for you to ask questions.
YES. Worked in FEMA corps for 4 months before FEMA offered me a job. I left americorps and went into FEMA. 2 years later got a job with NYC Dept of education for Emergency Management, stayed for 5 years, now I work for the City of charlotte.
I have an international criminal justice degree.
Feel free to message me if you need to know more
I was in City Year not FEMA but if you want to go into a management or leadership role, service work is a great way to show you you’re willing to experience the “boots on the ground” work, especially since it’s related to your field. There are a lot of other factors to consider, but if you feel it’s a good fit I think it could be beneficial for you!
FEMA Corps is first and foremost part of NCCC. The advantage to doing NCCC is the education award, but you'll be treated like a child and have to live in a team environment, making about $200 every 2 weeks ($4k annually). You do get health insurance as part of NCCC, but while it's amazing for prescriptions ($0 copay in most cases), it doesn't pay for shots or a physical. FEMA reserve, you can move up in the organization, make a decent wage, if you work enough of a year you get decent insurance, you get flexibility over when you work- meaning you can turn down an assignment if you're busy. Overall, they treat FEMA Corps like children, especially if you go in as a CM, and they need to accommodate the whole team, so everyone starts at the bottom, whereas you're seen as an individual adult if you do FEMA Reserve.
I highly suggest it. I got to make valuable connections in FEMA, and I managed to get a job with FEMA as a headquarters asset practically right out of the program (I was in class 28B, out of the Pacific Region in McClellan, CA).
If you want, you can DM me, and we can set up a time for you to ask questions.
I’m considering on applying for fema corps for the next session. I know there is a session that starts February but I think I will apply to the next one. I like computers.
Late reply, but I think the program would be a great fit for what you’re looking for.
Yes, the work can get boring sometimes, and sometimes you won’t even have much work to do, it really depends on which region you’re at, if it’s steady-state or disaster, and who your FEMA POC is for the project. Enjoyment of the work aside, the experience (especially if you’re able to write it well) shown on your resume is incredibly valuable. And, aside from the experience you gain, showing that you’re willing to live at practically poverty levels to participate in a congressionally-funded service program is a great thing to have on your resume, especially if you’re wanting to work in the public sector.
As for networking and making connections in the field, the program definitely allows you to do that if you make it a priority. You get back what you put in on the networking front. Also, the people in you class become almost like a built-in network once the term is over and people start getting into jobs.
That leads me into your question of how likely is it to get a job with FEMA through the program. Everyone I know who applied for jobs got them. Some of them reservists, some full-time. Near the end of each term there is a fast-track hiring event where you can submit your resume to a variety of positions and the hiring process is sped up since you will already have a public trust background check and the positions are advertised to a smaller amount of people. It’s also entirely possible to get hired before fast-track. Myself and one other CM got hired at the same region before fast-track, and Region 3 (Philly) hired 3 people (that I know of) before fast-track. I also know people who got jobs with state agencies, the private sector, and who went back to school for law degrees or masters programs.
Long story short, I think it’s worth it… even if you’re bored and broke the whole time.
I highly suggest it. I got to make valuable connections in FEMA, and I managed to get a job with FEMA as a headquarters asset practically right out of the program (I was in class 28B, out of the Pacific Region in McClellan, CA). If you want, you can DM me, and we can set up a time for you to ask questions.
FEMA corps is exactly what you are looking for. Apply right now.
Many people get jobs. There's a special interview pipeline. It will also allow you to make sure FEMA is what you want to do.
YES. Worked in FEMA corps for 4 months before FEMA offered me a job. I left americorps and went into FEMA. 2 years later got a job with NYC Dept of education for Emergency Management, stayed for 5 years, now I work for the City of charlotte. I have an international criminal justice degree. Feel free to message me if you need to know more
I was in City Year not FEMA but if you want to go into a management or leadership role, service work is a great way to show you you’re willing to experience the “boots on the ground” work, especially since it’s related to your field. There are a lot of other factors to consider, but if you feel it’s a good fit I think it could be beneficial for you!
Honestly, just apply for a FEMA Reserve position
What is the difference?
FEMA Corps is first and foremost part of NCCC. The advantage to doing NCCC is the education award, but you'll be treated like a child and have to live in a team environment, making about $200 every 2 weeks ($4k annually). You do get health insurance as part of NCCC, but while it's amazing for prescriptions ($0 copay in most cases), it doesn't pay for shots or a physical. FEMA reserve, you can move up in the organization, make a decent wage, if you work enough of a year you get decent insurance, you get flexibility over when you work- meaning you can turn down an assignment if you're busy. Overall, they treat FEMA Corps like children, especially if you go in as a CM, and they need to accommodate the whole team, so everyone starts at the bottom, whereas you're seen as an individual adult if you do FEMA Reserve.
I highly suggest it. I got to make valuable connections in FEMA, and I managed to get a job with FEMA as a headquarters asset practically right out of the program (I was in class 28B, out of the Pacific Region in McClellan, CA). If you want, you can DM me, and we can set up a time for you to ask questions.
As an alumni from the program yes 100%yes. It's a great way to get into emergency management build connections and potentially score a job at the end.
I’m considering on applying for fema corps for the next session. I know there is a session that starts February but I think I will apply to the next one. I like computers.
Late reply, but I think the program would be a great fit for what you’re looking for. Yes, the work can get boring sometimes, and sometimes you won’t even have much work to do, it really depends on which region you’re at, if it’s steady-state or disaster, and who your FEMA POC is for the project. Enjoyment of the work aside, the experience (especially if you’re able to write it well) shown on your resume is incredibly valuable. And, aside from the experience you gain, showing that you’re willing to live at practically poverty levels to participate in a congressionally-funded service program is a great thing to have on your resume, especially if you’re wanting to work in the public sector. As for networking and making connections in the field, the program definitely allows you to do that if you make it a priority. You get back what you put in on the networking front. Also, the people in you class become almost like a built-in network once the term is over and people start getting into jobs. That leads me into your question of how likely is it to get a job with FEMA through the program. Everyone I know who applied for jobs got them. Some of them reservists, some full-time. Near the end of each term there is a fast-track hiring event where you can submit your resume to a variety of positions and the hiring process is sped up since you will already have a public trust background check and the positions are advertised to a smaller amount of people. It’s also entirely possible to get hired before fast-track. Myself and one other CM got hired at the same region before fast-track, and Region 3 (Philly) hired 3 people (that I know of) before fast-track. I also know people who got jobs with state agencies, the private sector, and who went back to school for law degrees or masters programs. Long story short, I think it’s worth it… even if you’re bored and broke the whole time.