How To Become A Security Guard
Security guards, or security officers, patrol one or more areas and make sure it is secure from vandalism, theft and general crime. Depending on the situation they might be armed or carry non lethal weapons. Certain situations might arise where proper training is vital for the security guard to remain safe. They are usually licensed to work as a security guard but this requirement varies from state to state. If one is interested in how to become a security guard, there are a lot of resources out there to learn more about the field.
What Is It Like to Be a Security Guard?
Working as a security guard might range from inspecting properties on a regular basis, working in a crowded place like a mall or even patrolling sensitive areas like government run nuclear power plants. According to the United States Department of Labor website, the future job outlook for this specialized career is expected to grow. Sometimes people work in this field as a second job or part time due to its convenience while others make a career out of it.
In department stores they might monitor video camera surveillance to deter shoplifting. Institutional security guards, such as those working in universities, hospitals or governmental buildings, are highly trained in crowd control in the case of an emergency and in protecting valuable property and information technology. Some might work in casinos and armored transport in similar roles.
There are a lot more details about what a security guard does everyday because the field is so diverse. For those interested in learning how to become a security guard, it might be best to speak with the human resources department at a large institution such as a hospital or college. Just asking the right questions might get the ball rolling and one can even see possible security guard openings and their job descriptions for requirements. Private security service providers are also an excellent source of information.
What Kind of Schooling Do I Need to Become a Security Guard?
There really is no well defined route for how to become a security guard because every state has different licensing requirements for the profession. Some companies might require more or less education or certification than another security service provider. For unarmed positions, there are fewer requirements. For armed positions, some companies and institutions require official certification to carry a weapon on the job. For those applicants with prior military experience, this might be beneficial when you apply for security positions.
For sensitive and highly paid security positions there tends to be educational, training or certification requirements. This might involve a degree in criminal justice and police science, for example. There are post secondary training programs for security guards and some of these might be offered from an online school. Online colleges are becoming more popular and make sure any credits that you want transfer and that the online institution is accredited. Online education is rapidly becoming mainstream.
Once a security guard, expect to maintain your certification frequently and this might even be available online. The internet, most human resources departments of larger organizations and private security companies are great resources for learning how to become a security guard.
