What are the Requirements to Work in Homeland Security in 2019?
The topics of terrorism, immigration, borders, and crime are high in the national consciousness these days as America confronts growing concerns about national security. Over the past two decades we've seen these concerns expand into new career fronts for those seeking degrees in law enforcement and criminal justice. For those who wish to take an active part in reducing our nation's vulnerabilities and minimizing damage during disasters, natural or human-caused, this field is wide open.
The Department of Homeland Security is the government's response to terrorism and enhancing border security. DHS offers many opportunities for those involved in securing airports, borders, seaports, and waterways. Opportunities have also opened up in research and development in security technologies, analyzing intelligence reports, and formulating responses to terrorism and natural disasters.
So what does it take to work at Homeland Security? What sort of skills do you need? What kind of degree should you pursue to enter this field? And, upon completing a degree program, do you have the right physical and mental attributes to succeed in the sector of your choice?
Got What It Takes for a Career in Homeland Security?
To pursue a career in Homeland Security, above all, you need a passionate interest in identifying, tracking, pursuing, and prosecuting criminals involved in these kinds of cross-border activities:
- Cybercrimes
- Human rights violations
- Financial crimes, bulk cash smuggling and money laundering
- Immigration, document, and benefit fraud
- Human smuggling and trafficking
- Commercial fraud and intellectual property theft
- Transnational gang activity
- Weapons and narcotics smuggling and trafficking,
- Export enforcement; and
- International antiquity and art theft
What Are Some of the Requirements to Work Jobs Like These?
Some jobs will require a high degree of physical fitness and strength, particularly those in a law enforcement setting that involve the pursuit and apprehension of suspects. These jobs may also require that you wear a uniform, carry a firearm, and be able to perform your duties in challenging terrain, such as the hot, rugged desert.
Other jobs, such as security screeners, are less physically demanding. For those who aspire to work as investigators in cybercrimes, as well as research and development, physical fitness may not be as important as advanced technical training. Entry-level Homeland Security jobs often involve disaster preparedness and response, infrastructure protection, and intelligence gathering, in both the private and public sector.
What About Cyber Security?
Cyber security is a rapidly growing sector of Homeland Security's mission, as cyber threats to our nation morph and expand in ever-more sinister directions. Obviously, candidates for these jobs would need not only law enforcement training but also perhaps a degree or skills in information technology.
In addition to a bachelor's degree, a successful candidate for a job in Homeland Security would also have to pass a background security check and a drug test. U.S. citizenship is another requirement.
Depending on the sector in Homeland Security, that you wish to work for, you may draw on skills in foreign languages, scientific or medical education and training, geospacial mapping for planning evacuation routes, and many others, to gain employment.
Varied Employment
Those seeking employment in Homeland Security will have opportunities nationwide and abroad, in a variety of agencies, state and local governments, private companies, and nonprofit organizations, such as those involved in environmental cleanups.
It seems that everywhere you look, industries and businesses are increasingly impacted by the need for homeland security, which is fueling the demand for more and more employees. Here's a sampling of the kinds of wide-ranging jobs available:
- Central Intelligence Agency: Agents identify potential threats.
- U.S. Department of Labor: Inspectors ensure firefighters and others exposed to hazardous conditions wear sufficiently protective gear.
- U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Diplomatic Security: Agents advise U.S. ambassadors in foreign countries and protect foreign dignitaries.
Skills are also needed from those in a wide variety of professions that might not at first seem obvious, including these:
- Architecture and engineering, to design buildings that can withstand human-caused and natural disasters
- Accounting, to investigate financial crimes
- Business continuity experts, to get communities up and running after a natural disaster
- Doctors and nurses, to respond to disasters and epidemics
Preparing for a Career in Homeland Security
Are you interested in working for the DHS? If you want to earn a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a Focus in Homeland Security, ECPI University offers this program at an accelerated pace. For more information about this exciting degree, connect with a helpful admissions advisor today.
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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Gainful Employment Information – Homeland Security - Bachelor’s
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