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Career Exploration

Security Guards

Also called: Safety and Security Officer, Security Agent, Security Guard, Security Officer

What they do:

Guard, patrol, or monitor premises to prevent theft, violence, or infractions of rules. May operate x-ray and metal detector equipment.

On the job, you would:
  • Lock doors and gates of entrances and exits to secure buildings.
  • Patrol industrial or commercial premises to prevent and detect signs of intrusion and ensure security of doors, windows, and gates.
  • Respond to medical emergencies by administering basic first aid or by obtaining assistance from paramedics.
On the job, you'll need:

Safety and Government

  • public safety and security
  • law and government

Business

  • customer service
  • management

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Engineering and Technology

  • computers and electronics

Basic Skills

  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements

Social

  • changing what is done based on other people's actions
  • understanding people's reactions

Verbal

  • listen and understand what people say
  • communicate by speaking

Attention

  • pay attention to something without being distracted

Realistic

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

  • Integrity
  • Dependability
  • Self Control
  • Concern for Others
  • Cooperation
  • Attention to Detail

Spreadsheet software

  • IBM Lotus 1-2-3
  • Microsoft Excel

Video conferencing software

  • FaceTime

Office suite software

  • Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
  • Microsoft Office software

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Bright.

New job opportunities are very likely in the future. This career will have large numbers of openings.

Median Annual Salary: $34,750

Education

High school diploma/GED is usually needed.