What beginning career options should i look into if im interested in security and protective services?
#career #security #law #government #law-enforcement #police-officer
3 answers
José’s Answer
Careers in security & protective services are a suitable option for those individuals who are interested in maintaining law and order. Careers in security & protective services may require physical strength, technical ability and soft skills such as thinking under pressure and making decisions outside the box in certain supervisor roles. As reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median and 90th percentile salaries for those working in careers in security & protective services are $36,620 and $77,680 a year. But for those who have very specialized skills and are willing to work in more dangerous situations, the wages can possibly be much higher. Careers in security & protective services are available in almost every sector. Both the private and public sector place a premium on being able to offer security and thus seek trained professionals to manage safety programs. The most common sectors of employment for those in search of careers in security & protective services are:
- Government agencies
- The armed forces
- Humanitarian organization and non-profits
- Schools
- Hospitals
Government agencies are often responsible for planning for public safety, particularly at events where important people may be present. They need trained professionals who understand how to come with contingency plans in anticipation of unforeseeable events. They also often arrange for bodyguards for foreign visitors. Professionals who are adept at using the most modern security technology are especially in demand.
If you are looking for careers in security & protective services, you will find a fair number of institutes that offer associated degrees. The most relevant degrees may be in programs such as protective services, security services and security planning. Those with training in law and security technology are often also a good fit for general jobs that require planning and implementing security techniques.
The common specializations for those interested in careers in security & protective services include data security, personal protection, counter terrorism planning, fire protection and health security services.
What are the requirements to start a career in Protective Services?
There are many fields in protective services. You could become a firefighter, a bailiff or a detective. The requirements for each field are different from the others. Generally, you will need the following:
• A high school diploma
• Meet the minimum age requirement
• Get work experience
• Complete training
• Clear a background check
How much can I make with a career in Protective Services?
There is an expected increase in employment for protective service occupations. Jobs in this sector are expected to rise by 158,200 from 2016 to 2026. The median annual wage for those with a career in protective services was $40,640 as of May 2018. This is a higher wage than the median wage in most other occupations, which averages at $38,640.
I hope this helps you Tanekqa !!!
Source: http://www.excite.com/education/criminal-justice/security-protective-services/careers
Priyanka’s Answer
Some starting career options may include entry level positions withing your local government. Look for Watch Officer positions both at the local government level as well as in private businesses that have 24/7 operation rooms. This is a great place to start as you're learning a lot of great skills at once such as:
-tech skills (learning to operate cameras, mass notification systems, GIS mapping systems etc)
-multitasking
-critical thinking
-decision making
-public safety
I think there's lots of value in having a good public safety background to then further expand in the security field.
Hope this helps!
-Pri
Monique’s Answer
Great question as you have so many avenues to choose from. Security is a broad term and the wonderful news is you may begin with Protective Services and later find your interest have peeked in other area of security.
With election season around the corner, contact your local county elections board, inquire if volunteer spaces are available for ballot security?/voter signin. You'll learn how to secure/lock down the ballot boxes, introduced to new terms within security such as chain of custody, the networking opportunities are abundant and lastly your providing a civic duty to your community.
Volunteering stands out in a resume and will get you into the door for further conversations. Ask your self what is it you really want to do and make a list of different avenues on ways to get there. Many local colleges offer Department of Homeland Security degree and this degree opens MANY doors into Security, trust me on this!! LOL
Remember Rome wasn't built in a day, take a class at a time. Also visit your local FBI office, and see what opportunities they have to offer and by no means do we forget about the Military, this should of been the first option I mentioned as depending on how high you score on your ASVAB test, you can choose your career as Security falls into every space. Security allows us the ability to produce.
Good luck with your endeavors