In our last blog we talked about the rise of homeland security educational programs and degrees and what they entail.
Today we’ll look at how such training directly pertains to professional prospects.
In his presentation “Homeland Security Education: The Current State” (2009), the Director of Partnership Programs at the CHDS, Dr. Stan Supinski, stated, “The Center for Domestic Preparedness in Anniston, Alabama (Office for Domestic Preparedness, Department of Homeland Security) estimates that ‘there are more than 11 million emergency responders and other personnel in this country that would need training to deal with terrorist incidents’.”
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Although this training may not necessary be in the form of formal degree programs, it does describe just one asset of the wide range of careers where homeland security education is relevant. Dr. Supinski added that employment opportunities related to this discipline can be found in various sectors including business, government, healthcare, intelligence, cyber security, banks, utilities, technology, transportation, government contracting, border patrol, physical security and more.
Let’s look at some career opportunities by degree level. (Note that qualifications tend to vary by employer, extra specialized training or experience may be required, and career paths are not necessarily carved in stone).
Associate’s Degree: An Associate’s degree (i.e. in Homeland Security or in Criminal Justice with a homeland security emphasis) is a great way to kick start your academic career. After completing such a program, there are a number of entry-level positions you may pursue. These include Transportation Security Officers, Border Patrol Agents, Loss Prevention Agents, Disaster Relief Workers, Special Response Officers, Customs Officers, Law Enforcement Officers, Correctional Officers, and more.
Bachelor’s Degree: After completing a Bachelor’s degree in Homeland Security, you are generally eligible to apply a range of entry to mid-level positions, such as Emergency Management Specialists, Disaster Services Consultants, Border Patrol Agents, Immigration Management Specialists, CIA Protective Agents, FBI Agents, U.S. Marshals, Security Specialists and more.
Master’s Degree: Often a Master’s degree program in Homeland Security will allow you to focus on a particular sub-discipline, such as Information Security, Public Health, Fire Service Administration, Geospatial Intelligence, Agricultural Security, Nonprofit Management, etc. This will equip you for advanced positions in a particular field, such as Homeland Security
Program Analysts, Emergency Preparedness Coordinators, Health Services Managers, Counterterrorism Enforcement Agents, Quality Control Managers, Homeland Security Directors or Managers, Intelligence Analysts, Mission Support Specialists, IT Security Specialists, Policy Analysts/Planners, Security Analysts, Disaster Recovery Officers, Infrastructure Analysts, Biological Warfare Threat Specialists, Senior Level CIA Agents, Senior Level FBI Agents and more.
To learn more about the range of Homeland Security careers, visit: http://www.criminaljusticeschoolinfo.com/homeland-security-careers