Where could drones take you?

There is no single correct path. People reach these careers through work, certificates, community college, university, the military, or starting a business, and many switch routes along the way.

1. Stage 1

   What you can do now

   • Explore Search and Rescue patterns
   • Build weather judgement in METARverse (opens in a new tab)
   • Study Part 107 regulations (opens in a new tab)

2. Stage 2

   High-school preparation

   • Health / first aid
   • Civics
   • Physics
   • Communication / speech

3. Stage 3

   Skills to build

   • Calm decision-making
   • Thermal interpretation
   • Radio procedures
   • Search patterns
   • Privacy and ethics

4. Stage 4

   Certifications

   • FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate (minimum age 16)
   • CPR/First Aid
   • ICS-100/200 (free FEMA courses)
   • NFPA 2400 familiarity

5. Stage 5

   Portfolio projects

   • A search-pattern plan for a local park
   • Thermal image interpretation exercises
   • Volunteer hours (CAP, SAR, CERT)

6. Stage 6

   After high school: choose a route

   Straight to workCommunity collegeUniversityMilitary

   • Straight to work

     Join an agency, then qualify for its drone team.

     e.g. Firefighter · Deputy · Dispatcher

   • Community college

     Fire science, EMT, criminal justice or emergency management.

     e.g. Fire science · Paramedic

   • University

     Emergency management or criminal justice degrees.

     e.g. Emergency management

   • Military

     Military police, security and UAS roles build strong experience.

     e.g. Military UAS / security roles

   Compare programs in Opportunity Radar

7. Stage 7

   Possible entry-level positions

   • SAR volunteer
   • Emergency management assistant
   • Agency UAS team member (after joining)

8. Stage 8

   Long-term careers

   • UAS program manager
   • DFR program director
   • Emergency manager