There are nine essential skills you should have in order to find, acquire, maintain, and grow within a job.

Essential skills build through majoring in Fire & Emergency Response Administration include:

• Teamwork & Collaboration
• Professionalism & Work Ethic
• Leadership

Click here to learn more about each essential skill.

Students graduating in Fire & Emergency Response Administration often find themselves working as firefighters, emergency management directors, and leaders in the fire service (or related) industries.

Click here to explore career opportunities by major.

Major milestones consist of activities students should complete during their first year, middle years and last year at MSU Denver. These milestones will help prospective and current students explore major and career options and create a year-by-year plan to integrate curricular (what happens inside the classroom), co-curricular (what happens inside and outside the classroom, and non-curricular (what happens outside the classroom) experiences. For example, milestones might list specific classes student should take at specific times along their journey or may suggest when students should participate in research opportunities with faculty members.

Simply put, Major Milestones are meant to enhance your student experience and set you up for success.

To use this tool to the fullest, follow these steps

1. Click on your year in school from the list below.
2. Read the steps listed in each category: Cultivate, Engage and Prepare.
3. Complete any necessary steps listed.
4. Check out further resources by connecting with your academic advisor, the Classroom to Career Hub, and your department faculty.

All options listed below are available in-person and online unless noted otherwise.

• Attend orientation and register for classes.
• Meet with your Academic Advisor.
• Complete FAFSA/CASFA/COF and the General Scholarship Application.

• Join a student organization and get connected to support on campus.
• Declare a major, (explore our fully online programs!) or meet with an exploratory advisor to learn about options.
• Attend signature events on campus (Convocation, Fall Fest, Spring Fling, etc.).

• Visit the FERA department in West Classroom 236.
• Take an introductory course in Human Services, Trauma, Health Professions, or FERA (FER 1010 or HSP 1010).
• Take an ESSJ or GD course to learn more about serving diverse communities.

• Explore the Denver Public Service Cadet Program and other student organizations within the profession.
• Connect with a current student with experience in the field.
• Connect with a faculty member in FERA, all of whom are industry professionals.

• Meet with a FERA academic advisor to explore career pathways.
• Visit first-response organizations in your community (fire departments, paramedic agencies, or disaster response agencies).
• Visit a Fire Muster in your community.

• Consider adding a minor or certificate to your chosen major.
• Explore resources like the tutoring program or the writing center.
• Get familiar with MSU Denver’s Academic Planning Tool.

• Explore student leadership on campus and volunteering in your community.
• Earn credit and gain experience through an internship, study abroad, or community-engaged learning.
• Attend identity or interest-based campus events like the Richard T. Castro speaker series.

• Connect with the Undergraduate Research and Scholarship program.
• Attend an in-person Career Fair to network and secure a professional headshot.
• Connect with the Classroom to Career Hub (C2Hub) for opportunities for professional mentoring and job shadowing.

• Begin to explore possible career pathways by meeting with professors or mentors.
• Consider a minor to enhance skills and knowledge related to connecting with community.
• Meet with a FERA academic advisor to ensure you are staying on track for graduation.

• Participate in hands-on or experiential learning (Service Learning or Mock Disaster Drill).
• Explore opportunities to take EMT-Basic or Firefighter I coursework for certification.
• Interview working professionals in your pathway.

• Learn about applying for civil service jobs and taking civil service exams.
• Meet with local fire department or public service agencies (based on connections identified by FERA faculty and advisors).
• Identify jobs with local fire departments, emergency medical providers, or disaster response agencies.

• Meet with your advisor to complete remaining graduation requirements.
• Ready to Graduate? Check out this guide from the registrar!
• Attend or present in-person at a major-specific or industry-specific conference or networking event.

• Attend in-person alumni and campus-wide networking events.
• Submit a proposal to present in-person at the Undergraduate Research Conference.
• Seek to collaborate with local civic organizations.

• Finalize your portfolio of relevant projects and skills.
• Attend in-person career-focused events with an industry-ready resume.
• Identify needs for Professional Certifications or MCAT/LSAT etc. and prepare for professional school admissions.
• Prepare and submit applications for jobs, graduate school, or relevant post-grad training.

• Complete FER 4610 Disaster Planning, the FERA Senior Experience course.
• Ensure you have completed the core FERA courses as outlined by the National Fire Academy/FESHE curriculum.
• Consider additional language and social/behavioral science courses to expand your knowledge of local communities.

• Participate in hands-on or experiential learning (Service Learning or Mock Disaster Drill).
• Consider attending a state or local conference (Colorado Fire Chiefs Leadership Challenge, Winter Symposium in Mental Health, or other networking opportunities).
• Seek out lectures and professional development opportunities in the community.

• Attend networking events, within the department and the university.
• Apply for fire department or emergency response jobs.
• Prepare for the physical test, CPAT: Candidate Physical Ability Test.