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I wanted to know how can you advance and grow doing Homeland Security?
I was interested and doing security work and wanted to know how can i be successful and this type of work? #career #Homeland #Security #Protectiveservices
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Christine Warden
Senior Manager, Global Process Mining at Kraft Heinz
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Christine’s Answer
Hi Trenton. My master's degree is in national security, but I ultimately decided not to go into that route as my career. I started out in management consulting and worked for federal clients in this arena and saw very dissatisfied government employees who felt disempowered to make the changes they wanted to see in their agencies due to bureaucracy and lack of political will. Career growth specifically within this space is very slow compared to the private sector, and when I've had "coffee catch ups" with government contacts who were more tenured than me, this was the biggest frustration I heard from them in terms of the prospects for their career.
I don't want to turn you off from this potential career path, because if this is your passion, you may still want to pursue it. Sharing my experience for awareness so you can consider it when assessing opportunities. I'm sure there are many folks in the security space who have had good experiences and satisfying, long lasting careers. :) It depends a lot, I would imagine, on what specifically draws you to this field and what you want to spend the majority of your career doing.
I don't want to turn you off from this potential career path, because if this is your passion, you may still want to pursue it. Sharing my experience for awareness so you can consider it when assessing opportunities. I'm sure there are many folks in the security space who have had good experiences and satisfying, long lasting careers. :) It depends a lot, I would imagine, on what specifically draws you to this field and what you want to spend the majority of your career doing.
Kudos Christine for taking the time to offer advice!!!
Paladin "Pj" Jordan, CPP
Updated
Paladin "Pj"’s Answer
First, let's define homeland security and describe what their role is. The Department of Homeland Security (also known as DHS) government organization. The DHS was created after the USA was attacked on September 11, 2001. The main job of people who work for DHS is to protect the country. Some DHS workers do investigations. Some DHS workers look for terrorists and others who want to harm Americans and American property. DHS also offers security and safety training programs. For example, I've attended DHS classes on how to identify terrorists and what to do if there's an active shooter.
Some DHS workers work in airports as screeners. A screener is a person who is looking for dangerous weapons and other objects that cause harm and damage. DHS screeners at airports are called Transportation Safety Administration Agents (TSA). These agents search airline passengers, their belongings, and airline cargo. The job of TSA agents is to keep airplane travel safe and free from bombs, illegal weapons, and other devices which cause injury, death and property damage.
The DHS also partners with other law enforcement agencies; like the FBI, sheriffs, and local and state police departments. The DHS has federal jurisdiction. This means DHS workers can work anywhere in the USA. Local police only have authority in the state where they are located. For example, a Chicago police officer cannot arrest a person she sees committing a crime while she's on vacation in New York. (There is one exception: Citizen's arrest. Research this for more information about citizen's arrest procedures)
Okay, let's answer your question. Part 1: To advance in Homeland Security you have to get hired by the Department of Homeland Security. That's the first step. Check the DHS website for hiring and employment details. Almost every company has a website link with details about working there.
Part 2: To me, when you say the word "grow" to me that means getting better at my job. To grow and advance means the same thing in every job. You grow and advance by learning more and by getting more work experience. You learn more in your job by taking work-related classes. You can take classes on how to become a supervisor, how to use technical equipment, how to learn special skills needed for a new or complicated job, and how to train others. Most large companies offer training to their workers because they want their workers to grow and advance. The best way to keep workers from quitting is to provide training that helps them grow and advance.
Work experience is also important. Getting work experience helps you become more valuable to the company. The reason is because workers who know how to do different jobs can help in emergencies or when extra help is needed. For example, let's say you spoke english. Now, let's say your company started receiving calls from Spanish speakers. If you went to school and learned Spanish that would be a benefit for your company. If you can speak two languages you are a very valuable worker.
You get experience by learning difficult jobs. At first it can be frustrating to learn a new skill. You may keep messing up, or taking too long to complete the new job. You may also feel weak or embarrassed while doing the new job. BUT, the longer you do it, the better you become.
So, if you want to work in security DHS is a good place to be. DHS has offices all over the USA; and even in other countries. You'll have a chance to travel, too. Plus, you'll be doing something important--working to provide security and safety for all of us.
All the best,
Pj
Some DHS workers work in airports as screeners. A screener is a person who is looking for dangerous weapons and other objects that cause harm and damage. DHS screeners at airports are called Transportation Safety Administration Agents (TSA). These agents search airline passengers, their belongings, and airline cargo. The job of TSA agents is to keep airplane travel safe and free from bombs, illegal weapons, and other devices which cause injury, death and property damage.
The DHS also partners with other law enforcement agencies; like the FBI, sheriffs, and local and state police departments. The DHS has federal jurisdiction. This means DHS workers can work anywhere in the USA. Local police only have authority in the state where they are located. For example, a Chicago police officer cannot arrest a person she sees committing a crime while she's on vacation in New York. (There is one exception: Citizen's arrest. Research this for more information about citizen's arrest procedures)
Okay, let's answer your question. Part 1: To advance in Homeland Security you have to get hired by the Department of Homeland Security. That's the first step. Check the DHS website for hiring and employment details. Almost every company has a website link with details about working there.
Part 2: To me, when you say the word "grow" to me that means getting better at my job. To grow and advance means the same thing in every job. You grow and advance by learning more and by getting more work experience. You learn more in your job by taking work-related classes. You can take classes on how to become a supervisor, how to use technical equipment, how to learn special skills needed for a new or complicated job, and how to train others. Most large companies offer training to their workers because they want their workers to grow and advance. The best way to keep workers from quitting is to provide training that helps them grow and advance.
Work experience is also important. Getting work experience helps you become more valuable to the company. The reason is because workers who know how to do different jobs can help in emergencies or when extra help is needed. For example, let's say you spoke english. Now, let's say your company started receiving calls from Spanish speakers. If you went to school and learned Spanish that would be a benefit for your company. If you can speak two languages you are a very valuable worker.
You get experience by learning difficult jobs. At first it can be frustrating to learn a new skill. You may keep messing up, or taking too long to complete the new job. You may also feel weak or embarrassed while doing the new job. BUT, the longer you do it, the better you become.
So, if you want to work in security DHS is a good place to be. DHS has offices all over the USA; and even in other countries. You'll have a chance to travel, too. Plus, you'll be doing something important--working to provide security and safety for all of us.
All the best,
Pj
Updated
Jason’s Answer
Hi Trenton, I agree with Christine that grow in this area could be slow. However, if you have ever heard of the revolving door between public and private sectors, I believe that will help you grow and advance. Varying your roles between DHS and private companies is a great way to see both worlds and bring a specialized experience to the table. There are a number of corporate security positions out there in many industries that work with the federal government on some level so that is another areas to pursue. Overall, diversifying your resume with experiences that speak to the mission of the DHS will help you in terms of advancement and growth.
Find a profile of someone through LinkedIn in a DHS position you would like to hold 5-10 years from now
Think about what skills, certifications, years of experience and qualities you would need get into that role
Make a plan for how you intend to acquire those skills, etc. over the next few years through jobs, continuing education, volunteering, etc.
Stay on track and update your goals as you achieve them
Jason recommends the following next steps: