2 answers
Martavion
Student
Sedro-Woolley, Washington
1
Question
Asked
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A little more insight on security?
What would I do after I graduate with my homeland security certifications? I know obviously to scout for a job in the security field, I just want to know a thing or two about the overall environment and atmosphere in the security field.
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2 answers
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1849
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Martavion !
Very interesting question. You must be holding certifications that you took online or on site at college. If that is the case, the certifications are not Government Authorized. As advisor Aisha has pointed out, the position of Security can mean many things. What is your major ? To work for a government security agency, you would first need a lot of experience, screening and clearance.
The Government Authorized Homeland Security Certifications are taken by people that already have a position in the government to advance to a new department and to keep up with the current information. Some college professors can take the government authorized certifications, too. That being said, not knowing what your major is and eliminating the option of being a security guard because you will have a Bachelors or Masters degree (not mentioned in your question) I hope that I can be of some help because it is important that you develop a clear image of what you soon will be applying for.
I would always recommend seeking employment in the field that you have majored in. Read more about the options of the positions that Aisha has provided and see which ones you qualify for. If your major is Homeland Security, speak with your professors and Career Center because you will need to give them more detail so that you can be guided in the right direction and have anything that is unclear to you explained better than your classes have been explaining. Be assured as to what you will be qualified for with your Degree.
The overall atmosphere and environment is not "overall". It will be very, very specific. You can work anywhere from a local government building to an outdoor assignment and it is just going to be something you will learn when you start to work. My suggestion is to visit in person various places that use "security" and take a first hand look at the locales. It's all going to depend on what your position is. At this point, you must know since you have security certifications and must be majoring in a related subject that security can vary from day to day hour to hour while on the job. It can be unpredictable as well as boring at times. No two days are exactly alike.
It's also going to depend on what venue you work at. I would suggest actually, if you do not know about the position through what is presented to you as a student in college, call your local police station and request the opportunity to do a Ride Along. This is a chance to ride around with police officers and observe their calls and what happens. It still won't be how your job will be exactly but maybe since you are still curious about the atmosphere even though you've done certifications, something in person may help you get the gist of it for the moment.
I would like to suggest that you ask more questions here and provide information about what you are concerned with about your future job and mention what you're getting your degree in. Try not to worry or overthink things. Security is the type of job that would be impossible to predict just how it is because there are way to many variables in such a broad field of work.
I hope that you can get the experience that you want so that it will give you insight for the moment. The important thing is to strive for good grades and obtain the degree and then you can explore employment notices which will be very diverse and specific. You can apply for the ones that you'd like and seem suitable for you.
Wishing you all the best moving forward !
Very interesting question. You must be holding certifications that you took online or on site at college. If that is the case, the certifications are not Government Authorized. As advisor Aisha has pointed out, the position of Security can mean many things. What is your major ? To work for a government security agency, you would first need a lot of experience, screening and clearance.
The Government Authorized Homeland Security Certifications are taken by people that already have a position in the government to advance to a new department and to keep up with the current information. Some college professors can take the government authorized certifications, too. That being said, not knowing what your major is and eliminating the option of being a security guard because you will have a Bachelors or Masters degree (not mentioned in your question) I hope that I can be of some help because it is important that you develop a clear image of what you soon will be applying for.
I would always recommend seeking employment in the field that you have majored in. Read more about the options of the positions that Aisha has provided and see which ones you qualify for. If your major is Homeland Security, speak with your professors and Career Center because you will need to give them more detail so that you can be guided in the right direction and have anything that is unclear to you explained better than your classes have been explaining. Be assured as to what you will be qualified for with your Degree.
The overall atmosphere and environment is not "overall". It will be very, very specific. You can work anywhere from a local government building to an outdoor assignment and it is just going to be something you will learn when you start to work. My suggestion is to visit in person various places that use "security" and take a first hand look at the locales. It's all going to depend on what your position is. At this point, you must know since you have security certifications and must be majoring in a related subject that security can vary from day to day hour to hour while on the job. It can be unpredictable as well as boring at times. No two days are exactly alike.
It's also going to depend on what venue you work at. I would suggest actually, if you do not know about the position through what is presented to you as a student in college, call your local police station and request the opportunity to do a Ride Along. This is a chance to ride around with police officers and observe their calls and what happens. It still won't be how your job will be exactly but maybe since you are still curious about the atmosphere even though you've done certifications, something in person may help you get the gist of it for the moment.
I would like to suggest that you ask more questions here and provide information about what you are concerned with about your future job and mention what you're getting your degree in. Try not to worry or overthink things. Security is the type of job that would be impossible to predict just how it is because there are way to many variables in such a broad field of work.
I hope that you can get the experience that you want so that it will give you insight for the moment. The important thing is to strive for good grades and obtain the degree and then you can explore employment notices which will be very diverse and specific. You can apply for the ones that you'd like and seem suitable for you.
Wishing you all the best moving forward !
Aisha Taylor
Mortgage Closing Specialist
454
Answers
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
Aisha’s Answer
Graduating with homeland security certifications opens the door to a variety of careers in the security field, each with its own unique environment and responsibilities. Here’s a deeper look into what to expect:
### 1. **Diverse Career Paths**
- **Law Enforcement**: Positions with federal agencies like the FBI, DHS, or TSA involve protecting the nation from threats, both domestic and international. The work can be high-pressure and involves constant vigilance.
- **Emergency Management**: Working in this field involves planning for and responding to natural disasters, terrorist attacks, or other emergencies. The atmosphere is often fast-paced and requires strong decision-making skills.
- **Cybersecurity**: If you’re inclined toward technology, cybersecurity roles focus on protecting information systems from cyber threats. The environment is dynamic, with rapid changes and a need for continuous learning.
- **Border Security**: Involves working with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to secure national borders. The work can be physically demanding and involves a lot of fieldwork.
- **Intelligence Analysis**: Gathering and analyzing data to prevent threats. This role often requires a calm, detail-oriented approach, with much work done in office settings or secure facilities.
- **Corporate Security**: Working for private companies to protect assets, personnel, and information. The atmosphere here can vary from high-stress environments (e.g., protecting sensitive data) to more routine tasks (e.g., managing security protocols).
### 2. **Work Environment**
- **High-Pressure Situations**: Many security roles involve working under pressure, especially in emergencies or crisis situations. Being able to stay calm and make decisions quickly is crucial.
- **Team Collaboration**: Security roles often require working in teams, whether coordinating with law enforcement, emergency services, or cybersecurity teams. Strong communication skills are essential.
- **Continuous Learning**: The security field is ever-evolving, especially with new technologies and emerging threats. You’ll need to stay updated through ongoing training and certifications.
- **Field vs. Office Work**: Depending on your role, you may spend a lot of time in the field (e.g., border security, law enforcement) or in an office (e.g., intelligence analysis, cybersecurity).
### 3. **Work-Life Balance**
- **Varied Hours**: Security roles often require non-traditional hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, especially in law enforcement and emergency management.
- **Travel**: Some roles may involve travel, particularly in border security, intelligence, or corporate security.
- **Stress Levels**: The nature of the work can be stressful, particularly in roles involving direct threat prevention or emergency response.
### 4. **Job Satisfaction**
- **Impactful Work**: Many find great satisfaction in knowing their work contributes to national security and public safety.
- **Career Advancement**: With experience and further certifications, there are opportunities for advancement into higher-level positions, such as leadership roles in agencies or specialized areas like counterterrorism.
### 5. **Challenges**
- **Security Clearances**: Many roles require security clearances, which involve extensive background checks and can be a lengthy process.
- **Physical and Mental Demands**: Some positions, especially in law enforcement and border security, are physically demanding. The psychological demands of dealing with potential threats can also be significant.
### 6. **Networking and Mentorship**
- **Building Connections**: Networking is crucial in the security field. Attend industry conferences, join professional organizations, and seek out mentorship to build relationships and gain insights.
In summary, the security field is diverse, with opportunities ranging from hands-on roles in law enforcement to analytical positions in intelligence. The environment can be high-pressure, but it’s also highly rewarding, with the chance to make a significant impact on public safety and national security.
### 1. **Diverse Career Paths**
- **Law Enforcement**: Positions with federal agencies like the FBI, DHS, or TSA involve protecting the nation from threats, both domestic and international. The work can be high-pressure and involves constant vigilance.
- **Emergency Management**: Working in this field involves planning for and responding to natural disasters, terrorist attacks, or other emergencies. The atmosphere is often fast-paced and requires strong decision-making skills.
- **Cybersecurity**: If you’re inclined toward technology, cybersecurity roles focus on protecting information systems from cyber threats. The environment is dynamic, with rapid changes and a need for continuous learning.
- **Border Security**: Involves working with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to secure national borders. The work can be physically demanding and involves a lot of fieldwork.
- **Intelligence Analysis**: Gathering and analyzing data to prevent threats. This role often requires a calm, detail-oriented approach, with much work done in office settings or secure facilities.
- **Corporate Security**: Working for private companies to protect assets, personnel, and information. The atmosphere here can vary from high-stress environments (e.g., protecting sensitive data) to more routine tasks (e.g., managing security protocols).
### 2. **Work Environment**
- **High-Pressure Situations**: Many security roles involve working under pressure, especially in emergencies or crisis situations. Being able to stay calm and make decisions quickly is crucial.
- **Team Collaboration**: Security roles often require working in teams, whether coordinating with law enforcement, emergency services, or cybersecurity teams. Strong communication skills are essential.
- **Continuous Learning**: The security field is ever-evolving, especially with new technologies and emerging threats. You’ll need to stay updated through ongoing training and certifications.
- **Field vs. Office Work**: Depending on your role, you may spend a lot of time in the field (e.g., border security, law enforcement) or in an office (e.g., intelligence analysis, cybersecurity).
### 3. **Work-Life Balance**
- **Varied Hours**: Security roles often require non-traditional hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, especially in law enforcement and emergency management.
- **Travel**: Some roles may involve travel, particularly in border security, intelligence, or corporate security.
- **Stress Levels**: The nature of the work can be stressful, particularly in roles involving direct threat prevention or emergency response.
### 4. **Job Satisfaction**
- **Impactful Work**: Many find great satisfaction in knowing their work contributes to national security and public safety.
- **Career Advancement**: With experience and further certifications, there are opportunities for advancement into higher-level positions, such as leadership roles in agencies or specialized areas like counterterrorism.
### 5. **Challenges**
- **Security Clearances**: Many roles require security clearances, which involve extensive background checks and can be a lengthy process.
- **Physical and Mental Demands**: Some positions, especially in law enforcement and border security, are physically demanding. The psychological demands of dealing with potential threats can also be significant.
### 6. **Networking and Mentorship**
- **Building Connections**: Networking is crucial in the security field. Attend industry conferences, join professional organizations, and seek out mentorship to build relationships and gain insights.
In summary, the security field is diverse, with opportunities ranging from hands-on roles in law enforcement to analytical positions in intelligence. The environment can be high-pressure, but it’s also highly rewarding, with the chance to make a significant impact on public safety and national security.