Career Demands and Opportunities in Homeland Security - Essay Example

Homeland Security Introduction This paper evaluates the career demands and opportunities with regards to my major in homeland security. From my observation of students, it would be appreciated that there is a tendency to avoid courses with majors in homeland security. This serves as a critical pointer to underlying challenges in the course. An interview with a teacher in this course reveals that the reason for this trend would basically be the fear of challenges involved with the career. According to the teacher, a career in homeland security involves finding the existing problems and solving them in time before they cause harm. Whereas the practitioner could have appropriate plans to tackle such problems, there would always be a limitation as to the level of preparation. This need for proactive mentality and the ever present possibility of failure puts off a majority of students from pursuing this career. Thus, it would be critical to evaluate the requisite preparations to undertake a major in homeland security and the career opportunities available. Preparation To aid in preparation of undertaking the course, prospective students should appreciate the need to acquire skills critical for government or corporate security responsibilities in this course. Certificate level entry would require a bachelor’s degree in any field just to acquire fundamental knowledge on homeland security. This could then be upgraded to an associate’s, bachelor’s master’s and doctorate degree (US Department of Labor, 2008). People with professional and personal backgrounds in investigations also qualify to undertake the course. Master’s degree is particularly meant for those seeking leadership positions in the career. Those who undertake the course but engage in disqualifying activities could be precluded from related employment or internship upon graduation. With this variation in entry in addition to the chosen career path and goals, Jones (2006) observes that the length of time undertaking the program varies between one and ten years. Courses This homeland major covers a wide range of courses to provide an understanding of the internal operations of the criminal justice system in serving the federal, state and local levels. Even so, the interview with the teacher reveals that the major provides a foundational study on general education, providing intellectual skills, writing and research skills and also on individual and social responsibility. These foundational courses also impart knowledge of human culture and the interaction between the natural and the physical worlds. The learner would then be introduced to homeland security policy, a foundational specialty course that imparts knowledge on the policies governing national defense system and international relations. This would encompass national security theories and the challenges associated with international politics, warfare and terrorism. Then, specialty courses in various fields would be provided. These would include courses in terrorism, both domestic and international, counterterrorism, emergency preparedness, prevention and deterrence and constitutional and legal issues. These specialty courses would be selected based on the career path identified by the learner from the myriad opportunities presented. Because of their significance, they are involving and consume the most time. Study electives also provide options from which learners could choose from in an effort to gain further knowledge in their identified specialties or just to expand their knowledge in other fields of homeland security. Such electives would include stress management, leadership communication, psychology of disaster and terrorism, electronic intelligence analysis and port security among others. While undertaking these courses, the teacher argued that one develops professional research skills to provide comprehensive information for success in the career. The broad range of skills gained through an interdisciplinary approach provides a wider understanding of mechanisms involved in crisis management, business continuity, threat assessment, intelligence and emergency services. Career Opportunities Homeland security is a diverse and dynamic career field, with career opportunities encompassing numerous disciplines due to the immense work needed to protect a nation. A homeland security graduate could secure employment in the Department of Homeland Security, DHS. Established in 2003 after the September 11 2001 terrorist attack on the US, it is charged with preventing terrorism acts in the US, reduce terrorism vulnerability and minimize damage resulting from natural disasters and potential attacks (Conser, Paynich, Gingerich & Gingerich, 2013). Professionals in this department could work at directorates of Border and Transportation Security, Science and Technology, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection. The US Immigration and Naturalization Service, INS also provides numerous career opportunities for homeland security graduates. Here, such graduates would be employed as inspectors and agents to facilitate entry of legal US visitors and immigrants and detain and deport illegal visitors and immigrants. These include immigration inspectors, immigration agents, detention and deportation officers, border patrol agents and criminal investigators. As a border patrol agent, Jones (2006) observes that one would be charged with protecting not just the international land boundaries but also water boundaries. They seek to detect and prevent unlawful entry and smuggling into the US and apprehend those contravening immigration laws. The job, especially for immigration inspectors, also encompasses preparation of reports, maintenance of reports and processing of temporary and permanent residence applications and petitions. Finally, with the rising concern about vandalism, crime and terrorism, the need for security in the country has caused the increasing demand for security guards in private firms. This provides graduates in homeland security with a myriad of opportunities in the private sector security. Such persons would be expected to oversee and monitor crowds in airports and provide the security needed in courts, these having been stripped off from government marshals and police officers (Conser et al., 2013). With outsourcing making more economical sense than directly hiring, training and managing internal security guard force, immense opportunities exist for homeland security graduates. Conclusion Therefore, a course in homeland security equips learners with diverse skills required to protect the community and nation at large. Despite the fear among students of the diversity and dynamism presented by the career in homeland security, there exists numerous opportunities in the DHS, INS and for security arms of various private sector organizations. The course could be undertaken by anyone with a bachelor’s degree but would benefit more those practicing in associated professions. The various general education, specialty and elective courses aim at providing the skills needed to understand the operation of criminal justice system. Hence, homeland security remains increasingly significant in an environment facing increasing threats to private and national security. References Conser, J. A., Paynich, R., Gingerich, T. E. & Gingerich, T. (2013). Law enforcement in the United States. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Jones, E. (2006). Careers in homeland security. Occupational Outlook Quarterly, 202, 691 - 719. Retrieved 13 March 2014 from http://www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2006/summer/art01.pdf US Department of Labor. (2008). Occupational outlook handbook 2009. New York, NY: Skyhorse Publishing. Read More