You see it in movies and television shows; you hear it in the manner at which people talk about it. Sadly, working as a security guard, loss prevention agent, or private public safety officer is not viewed by many as a respectable career choice.
The thing is, many people have no idea how extensive the security industry is. In a report published by Grand View Research, an international research firm, the global physical private security industry is poised to grow to nearly $300 billion by 2025.
In addition to that, as technology continues to evolve and new industries are developed, countless new security issues will present themselves.
Law enforcement agencies and the military are finding it more and more difficult to fill their ranks due to a number of factors, some of which include limited funding, a shrinking number of high school graduates interested in the field, relatively low wages, among other things.
As a case in point, nearly 50 percent of the men and women fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan were private security forces.
And the number of US soldiers leaving the military to seek substantially higher salaries working for private security firms is increasing as well, especially those from elite branches of the military who can earn upwards of $200,000 a year working as private security.
If you’re someone who works as a security guard or in some other seemingly lowly security job, or even if you’re a job seeker who has dismissed the idea of working as such, you may want to think again. Below you can find a few examples of why getting into or staying in the private security sector is a great choice.
Private Investigation: No Longer Just About Catching Cheaters
For generations, the private investigator received a bad rap as being a chain-smoking, deadbeat father who rarely came home sober due to the past haunting him. Well, that’s at least how the movies and television shows made it seem most of the time.
However, as we all know by now, what usually makes for a spicy crime drama isn’t necessarily how it goes down in the real world. Many private investigation companies are run by very professional, highly trained, and dedicated people.
Additionally, a large number of private investigators got their start as either a security guard or retired police officer looking to continue helping people. It might be true that PI firms conduct a lot of investigations into cheating spouses but they also help families of murder victims solve their loved one’s homicide, for one example.
Since most states in the US require up to two years or so working in private security as a guard or loss prevention officer, people with no law enforcement or military experience must start there first.
A PI Career Is One of the Most Malleable Careers out There
One aspect of the PI career is how malleable it is. For example, if one desires to offer private investigation services to financial institutions, they can take an advanced diploma of accounting course online.
In taking such a course, the outcomes include allowing the graduate to operate as a registered tax agent, financial analyst, budget analyst, and an accounting manager. As a PI with such a degree, you could advertise yourself as a “licensed private investigator with a diploma in advanced accounting.”
As one can ascertain, by adding a diploma to a PI license, it allows the investigator to offer investigative services in a wide range of industries. Furthermore, if you get bored, you can obtain additional training
Executive Protection Services
In order to pursue a path working as an executive protection agent, one isn’t required to hold any higher education diploma.
Nevertheless, being that such work can and has been known to involve elevated levels of danger beyond an average security detail, one would be expected to have training in or prior experience in the following:
- Exposed or concealed carry firearms permit
- Possess necessary licensing allowing one to work as a security guard in your city or state
- Possessing a certificate from a reputable executive protection training school is a plus
- Have a broad understanding of all kinds of technology over many platforms
- Possess strong written and speaking skills
- Be comfortable around people in high net worth environments
For other requirements and job descriptions involving high-security jobs, Silent Professionals is a great website for anyone interested in such a career. By browsing the available jobs, you’ll get an idea of what is expected experience-wise.
When browsing the site, it’s important to note that some companies do require at least two years of college or more.
If you’re wondering what kind of college classes one should take for such a career, courses involving psychology since you would be dealing heavily with clients of all ages, including children.
Another big facet of working as an executive protection officer is the need to possess skills in “a broad understanding of all kinds of technology over many platforms.” With that said, taking technology courses would be another good move.
SheSociety is a site for the women of Australia to share our stories, our experiences, shared learnings and opportunities to connect.
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