Choosing your career can be a difficult process. It is one that usually involves taking time to reflect on what is most important to you. Often, our career choices are narrowed when you look at what type of lifestyle you value. It can become even more narrow when you compare that choice with what jobs are currently available in the market.
Career Questions to Ask Yourself
Certain attributes of a job can have a huge impact on your overall happiness and job satisfaction. To determine what aspects of work are important to you, consider asking yourself the following questions:
- Do you value a flexible work schedule, or predictable hours?
- Do you want a job that requires you to be physically active?
- Are you happiest working outside?
- In what capacity and to what frequency do you want to interact with others?
- What experiences do you want to gain from your employment?
Answering these questions can lead to a helpful understanding of your personal goals and career preferences, and usually help guide you in the direction of a fulfilling career. For example, if you highly value working outside then an office job might not be the best fit. Additionally, if you have constant back pain, a job that requires you to sit for an extended period of time , may also not a good option.
Being open to exploring new possibilities, like a career in security, may surprise you and could truly lead to you discovering your dream job.
Choosing a Career that Suits Your Lifestyle
A career in security presents many opportunities that can be extremely gratifying and complementary to your lifestyle. Security positions offer full-time, part-time, or causal roles. For example, there are regularly scheduled hours, like building concierge security. There are also positions with more flexible schedules, like mobile patrol or healthcare security, which allow you to schedule weekdays off so you can enjoy a less crowded movie or a quiet hike!
Aligning your job with the hours that best suit you will help you achieve a positive work/life balance. Being happy at work and feeling like you have time in your personal life to enjoy what is important to you can have immeasurable positive impacts on your overall mental health, as well as your job performance.
Work today has evolved beyond the typical 9AM-5PM job. A career in security can provide not only gratifying work, but also a flexible schedule that works best for your situation. For some people, being able to attend your child’s school play or attending that afternoon yoga class may be very important. Therefore, having a job that ensures you make every performance or class would be very important to you.
A Job that Helps You Stay Healthy
A typical Security Officer can walk 10,000-20,000 steps per shift, and often more depending on your job placement. While it may not be running a marathon, walking is a great way to improve your overall health.
According to Prevention.com, walking 30 minutes per day has amazing health benefits, including improving your cardiovascular fitness, lowering your risk for diabetes, lowering high blood pressure, and improving your overall mood.
A career in security may also find you working with likeminded individuals who value physical activity. At PalAmerican, our teams participate in friendly competition and group activities! Working with people who also want to get outside or be active can inspire you and help you form new friendships.
Make the World a Better Place
A career in security is a career that helps people. Security Officers can have extremely meaningful interactions with members of the public and fellow staff members, that can provide moral gratification. Your work can lead to greater job satisfaction and personal fulfillment.
Security Officers regularly deal with members of the public who are in distress, part of a vulnerable population, or are at-risk individuals. PalAmerican's Officers often say that a lasting influence on the lives of individuals is a reward that cannot be measured in monetary value. Keeping someone safe or helping someone seek proper treatment are just some of the ways a security career changes lives.
A PalAmerican Security Officer recently helped a woman deliver birth to a beautiful, healthy baby. Read the story here.
Why Become a Security Guard?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, "overall employment of security guards and gaming surveillance officers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2018 to 2028, about as fast as the average for all occupations." Therefore, a benefit to becoming a Security Officer is how the overall job opportunities will increase, making it easier to secure a position.
Other benefits can be measured in a few different ways:
Having a physically active job to lead a healthier lifestyle.
- Having dynamic and flexible work environments for a better work/life balance
- Gaining personal satisfaction from helping people and making a difference
- Working as part of a team
These are just some of the many amazing reasons to pursue a career in security. Other great reasons to start a career as a Security Officer can also include:
- Gaining experience towards a career in law enforcement
- Exposure to first responder scenarios, which can help prepare you for a career as a nurse, doctor, or paramedic
- A variety of work settings available, such as Healthcare, College Campuses, Commercial Buildings, and Government Facilities.
- Great part-time options for students, or as a second job
- Finding a low barrier to entry since some positions do not require security experience, and only a high school diploma.
PalAmerican Security Guards
Of course, working at a great company will also contribute to a rewarding career. A career at PalAmerican comes with health and dental benefits, company-paid training, employee recognition programs, and company-paid uniforms and licensing!
Take your next step towards a career in security and apply today for one of the many exciting open positions at PalAmerican.
Still wondering why you should choose a career in security? Check out our "Consider a Career in Security" article.