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How do you use a Homeland Security degree in searching for a career?

I am actually still in school for about three more weeks and I am finishing my thesis on Cybercrime. My experience is in Sociology and the Legal field. I am self-motivated and a hard-worker who learns pretty fast. I am anxious to get a career, but I am 41 years old and have been out of work for a few years. I have a tracheotomy, but it does not hold me back from a normal life. I love to be outside and to help people and just need to get my foot in the door to a company that will utilize my Master's degree and the skills I gained in litigation. I am really excited about my future. I would love to get a PhD. by studying either sex trafficking or women and terrorism. #government #federal-government #women #social-networking #homeland-security #human-rights #cyber-crime #counter-terrorism

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Dr. Kelly’s Answer

Female, doctoral candidate here. One of my degrees (my first) was also in homeland security, so I know what it is like trying to apply for jobs and explain the degree title. Be prepared for potential employers to ask you why you picked homeland over a generic criminal justice one! It's been over a dozen years since I finished it, an interviewers still ask and target me with that question. Pick some answers that are relevant to the positions that you are applying to. Sometimes I say, "I wanted a degree program that focuses on the national level of defense, not policing or corrections specialties." Other times, I remind people that natural disasters will always happen and we need people who can specialize in differing levels of government and business continuity. Use key areas that you enjoyed and align the keywords in your job search. Pitch that your completed research study was in (subject) and you have read hundreds of peer reviewed articles relating to the subject.

If you move on to a doctoral program, go into it having a research problem in mind that has not been studied. If you want to study trafficking, look into a specific population by gender, region, or otherwise and be prepared to narrow it down even more as the coursework passes. Be prepared to explain the subject in plain terms to people who are not in the field, because you will constantly be questioned on your study, specialization, and the dreaded graduation date.
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Ken’s Answer

Hi Melissa!


Congratulations on nearly completing your education.


To confirm your career direction, here are some exercises that you might find to be helpful
https://www.themuse.com/advice/14-free-personality-tests-thatll-help-you-figure-yourself-out


A good place to start with your job search is through the head of alumni relations at your school. This person has formed a community of graduates who are waiting to help. Approach this person and explain to him/her that you would like to meet and talk to graduates from your school in your career area to see what they are doing, how they got there, what advice they have, and how you feel about it.


Here are some tips on networking which will help. About 80 % of people who find jobs find them through such networking:
http://www.wikihow.com/Network
https://www.themuse.com/advice/nonawkward-ways-to-start-and-end-networking-conversations
https://www.themuse.com/advice/4-questions-to-ask-your-network-besides-can-you-get-me-a-job?ref=carousel-slide-1
https://www.themuse.com/advice/the-job-search-strategy-thatll-make-you-15-times-more-likely-to-be-hired


Here are programs in Orlando which might be able to offer assistance:
https://www.ldsjobs.org/ers/ct/center/68554?lang=eng
http://careersourcecentralflorida.com/about-us/
http://www.goodwillcfl.org/services.php


Let me know if and how this might be of help. Keep me posted. I would like to follow your progress.
Thank you comment icon I really appreciate this information and find that it can be useful for me at this time. Melissa
Thank you comment icon You are welcome. Best of luck. Keep me posted. Ken Simmons
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Monique’s Answer

Melissa,

Great question, when I think of DHS I think of the Patriot Act, then Safe Harbor Act and late 2018 with GDPR. Data rights and protection act. All of these were born, rebranded with 9/11 and the origination of Department of Homeland Security.

Their is no position you can't apply for, as you know Security is Our ability to produce. Sec Engineering, SW Dev Life Cycle, Physical Security every avenue requires the CIATRIAD, all while doing this from our homes and at times meeting with the customer. Whether were doing a Risk Assessment, Threat Modeling, providing Legalese conversation with Security Governance every secluded area needs people like you who have a zest for learning and want to see the industry succeed.

I wish you all the luck in the world and Congratulations.

Ms. Monique Clarke
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