Meet Harish, an MSc in Emergency Management Student at DCU

A career in An Garda Síochána has been a cherished ambition ever since I was a child. Growing up in Dublin and that too in some of the roughest areas, Gardaí were a common sight and, it always amused me how they would genuinely go above and beyond to serve and protect the communities. I knew instantly that it was the area of work I wanted to pursue. I wanted to make a difference and put an end to a lot of the issues facing the communities in Ireland.

After finishing school, I knew I wanted to go to college and undertake a degree program, but I hadn't the slightest idea of what I would do! Unlike professions with a clearly defined academic route, a career in An Garda Síochána doesn’t have a standard university program as it was simply just too broad of a topic. I was left in a situation where I could see the end goal but didn’t know how to get there. Long story short, I ended up picking Computer Science in DCU, as I had a strong interest and a passion in that area. It had absolutely nothing to do with my career aspirations nor did I see myself working in the corporate sector for too long but I knew that studying Computer Science would diversify my career opportunities and would put me at a significant advantage when I sit in front of an interview panel.

Pursuing a Postgraduate program has been at the back of my mind since 2nd year of Computer Science. I recognized the need to further refine my skills and align myself more closely with the demands of the job. However, I was a little hesitant. After college, I knew I’d have to work full-time to gain experience and essentially pay the bills so I wasn’t sure if I’d have the time to study. To add to that, I do so many things outside of academics such as running a successful charity so the challenge was, how am I going to juggle all these and still have some time for myself to breathe?

It was at this time, that DCU’s Emergency Management program caught my attention. Initially, I didn’t know what the course entailed and I merely came across it while randomly scrolling through the DCU website. At the time, I knew it had something to do with an emergency and the management of it, that’s all. I began researching the course further and talked to members of the faculty. They were super helpful and walked me through every step of the process including what I’d study and what jobs I could get into on completion of the programme. It became evident that I had to do this course. Its contents and the way it was designed were a perfect fit for my career aspirations as well as my tight schedule. The course is in no way a prerequisite to join the Guards but it would certainly equip me with the skills and knowledge to tackle almost any situation that a guard might encounter. 

The MSc in Emergency Management course is a two-year part-time program designed to fit into people’s busy lifestyles and is aimed mainly at emergency services but is welcoming to those working within the public and private sector. Just to give a flavour of what’s involved in the course, I get the opportunity to take on modules/topics like:

• Crisis Analysis - Gives you the knowledge and skills to really pay attention to detail. It helps you extrapolate the facts from the known (and the unknown) of a crisis and derive a better understanding of the situation. Attention to detail and critical thinking is an essential characteristic of a Guard. From analysing crime scenes to road traffic accidents, the module equips me with the skills to analyse every situation from different angles to understand what really happened.
• Leadership and Change - This module is one of my favourites! Leadership is an important element of every workplace regardless of the industry. In this module, I learned more about leadership, the types of leadership, and how one can empower, empathize and facilitate others. Gardaí work in an environment known as VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous). Because of this, strong leadership is required to ensure clarity, stability, and effective decision-making in challenging situations. Leadership within the Gardaí is not just about giving orders; it involves inspiring trust, fostering teamwork, and adapting to ever-changing circumstances.
• Emergency Planning - Emergencies are all around us and they come in many shapes and sizes. Instead of dealing with it when we get to it, a robust emergency plan will help minimize the damage and enhance the response by support agencies. In this module, I learned more about what an emergency is, what are the components of an emergency plan and how I would go about making one. The Gardaí is a prime example of where strong emergency plans are required. 

The program’s focus on practical, real-world scenarios is on a whole new level, as it mirrors the dynamic challenges faced in law enforcement. Although the course is not a prerequisite for the Gardaí, it gives me the skills and knowledge to deal with the demands of the job efficiently.

Transition from Undergraduate to Postgraduate

Going from Undergraduate to Postgraduate is as big of a jump as it is going from Secondary School to University. The teaching style and faculties approach to Postgraduate Students are widely different, especially part-time students. In Postgraduate Studies, the emphasis is on independent study, experience-driven research, peer-to-peer learning, and applying knowledge to real-life scenarios. This is vastly different from Undergraduate where the focus is on learning the fundamentals and getting you ready for the industry. 

Looking back, deciding to pursue a Master’s Degree was a challenging but deeply rewarding decision. The program has not only enhanced my professional skills but also reinforced my confidence in my ability to achieve my long-term goal of joining An Garda Síochána. Being the youngest person in the class, fresh out of Undergraduate Studies, and also being in a class with people deeply rooted within the emergency services world, the knowledge, and networks gained are unparalleled.

Through this experience, I’ve gained a clearer understanding of how I can contribute to my community and make a meaningful impact, and I’m more determined than ever to turn that vision into reality.