All of us live with disaster risk. 91% of Americans live in places at
moderate to high risk of earthquakes, volcanoes, tornadoes, wildfires,
hurricanes, flooding, high-wind damage or terrorism. (Hazards and Vulnerability Research Institute, at University of South Carolina.) Chances are we or someone we know will be impacted by a
natural disaster.
We need many different kinds of people and jobs to help us, in large and small ways – to
prepare, plan and recover from a disaster. When
you need help, comfort, and information, more than just fire and police departments become involved.
If you’re wondering how to choose a
career or volunteer job that gives to your community, consider all the
ways these careers help. Feel free to suggest more careers in the comments - I know this is not an exhaustive list.
We organized these careers by the six Holland personality types and Career Key Work Group (not all groups are shown below). To learn more
about personality-career match and to see a longer list of career options with
links to career information (salary, job outlook, training and education),
visit Career Key’s “Match
Your Personality with Careers.” The Occupational Outlook Handbook is the best resource for information about these careers.
For more lists of careers, college majors, green jobs, career clusters and career pathways organized by Holland personality type and Career Key Work Group, visit the Career Key website, www.careerkey.org.
Careers That Help People in a Natural Disaster
Realistic
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Forester
Forest or Conservation Worker
Safety and Law Enforcement
Emergency Medical Technician
Fire Fighter
Fire Inspector
Police Officer
Engineering
Construction and Building Inspector
Cartographer or Photogrammetrist
Crafts – Electrical-Electronic
Electrical Power-Line Installer & Repairer
Telecommunication Equipment Installer or Repairer
Transportation and Distribution
Aircraft Pilots (Coast Guard and other government personnel
taking measurements by air)
Ambulance Drivers, except EMTs
Construction Crafts & Support
Hazardous Materials Removal Worker
The Construction Trades: Carpenters, Plumbers, and Roofers
Systems Operation
Power Plant Operator
Water Treatment Plant Operator
Investigative
Physical Sciences
Atmospheric Scientist
Environmental Scientist
Geophysicist
Geoscientist
Soil Conservationist
Life Sciences
Conservation Scientist
Natural Sciences Manager
Computer Science & Technology
Computer Programmer
Computer Software Engineer
Network and Computer System Administrator
Mathematics and Data Analysis
Operations Research Analyst
Statistician
Social Sciences
Economist
Geographer
Psychologist
Urban or Regional Planner
Engineering
Civil Engineer
Environmental Engineer
Health and Safety Engineer
Nuclear Engineer
Artistic
Visual Arts
Architect
Graphic Designer
Communications
Broadcast News Analyst
Editor
Reporter or Correspondent
Technical or Scientific Editor or Writer
Social
Social Services
Clergy
Clinical Psychologist
Counselor
Eligibility Interviewer
Medical and Public Health Social Worker
Nursing, Therapy & Health Promotion
Registered Nurse
Child & Adult Care
Home Health Aide
Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse
Social & Human Service Assistant
Educational Services
School Teachers (all grades)
Enterprising
Business Administration
Administrative Services Manager
Chief Executive Officer
Computer and Information System Manager
Construction Manager
Engineering Manager
Lodging Manager (e.g. Hotel, Motel, Resort)
Medical and Health Services Manager
Natural Science Manager
Transportation, Storage, or Distribution Manager
Government and Public Administration
Education Administrator
Government Service Executive
Emergency Management Director
Regulations Enforcement
Occupational Safety and Health Inspector
Conventional
Mathematical Detail
Claim Adjuster, Examiner, or Investigator
Cost Estimator
Insurance Underwriter
Oral Communications
Air Traffic Controller
Customer Service Representative
Police, Fire, or Ambulance Dispatcher
Materials & Records Processing
Production, Planning, or Expediting Clerk
Administrative Detail
Budget Analyst
Occupational Health and Safety Technician
