Homeland Security Jobs - Careers Explained
Homeland security has become much more of a priority in the United States and abroad due to the rise of terrorist attacks and other specialized domestic safety concerns in recent years. With the right degree and an ambition to protect our nation, you can have a very satisfying career with homeland security jobs. Most homeland security jobs require criminal justice degrees, although there are many different avenues you can take to get into the field and work your way up to the top. With approximately 180,000 officers working in the United States Department of Homeland Security and another 1.5 million employed by private agencies, it is definitely a booming field.
Once you finish school and begin working as a homeland security officer, your main duty will be to make sure that all U.S. borders, airports, seaports and other waterways are secure. This may sound like a job much like any another type of security guard, but that is far from the truth. The criminal justice role in homeland security involves analyzing, researching and developing innovative security technology to aid in disaster and attacks. Officers must also be able to examine intelligence reports and use the information to keep any threats from penetrating U.S. security systems.
The U.S. Capitol Police, the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, the U.S. Secret Service, the Federal Protective Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Transportation Security Administration and Park Services all employ homeland security officers. Getting a degree in criminal justice may be the first step to getting a chance at homeland security jobs. There are even many schools offering programs that are specifically geared towards homeland security. You may be required to take courses that include introduction to homeland security, understanding terrorism, and introduction to emergency management.
While employed in one of the many homeland security jobs, you may have a career as a security police officer, FBI Agent, Secret Service Agent, state police officer, U.S. Marshal, special agent, customs investigator or diplomatic security agent. Keep in mind, most of these jobs require a fair amount of experience after completing school and they definitely take a certain type of personality.
Once you finish school and begin working as a homeland security officer, your main duty will be to make sure that all U.S. borders, airports, seaports and other waterways are secure. This may sound like a job much like any another type of security guard, but that is far from the truth. The criminal justice role in homeland security involves analyzing, researching and developing innovative security technology to aid in disaster and attacks. Officers must also be able to examine intelligence reports and use the information to keep any threats from penetrating U.S. security systems.
The U.S. Capitol Police, the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, the U.S. Secret Service, the Federal Protective Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Transportation Security Administration and Park Services all employ homeland security officers. Getting a degree in criminal justice may be the first step to getting a chance at homeland security jobs. There are even many schools offering programs that are specifically geared towards homeland security. You may be required to take courses that include introduction to homeland security, understanding terrorism, and introduction to emergency management.
While employed in one of the many homeland security jobs, you may have a career as a security police officer, FBI Agent, Secret Service Agent, state police officer, U.S. Marshal, special agent, customs investigator or diplomatic security agent. Keep in mind, most of these jobs require a fair amount of experience after completing school and they definitely take a certain type of personality.
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