The Pros and Cons of becoming a Security Guard There are many of things both in favor of and against becoming

a security guard. You will need to know and examine these pros

and cons well before committing yourself. This article explains

some of the important pluses and minuses involved to help you

make a decision that is right for you.

Pros:

1. It's relatively easy to find a job as a security guard.

See, ever since the 9/11 attacks, security positions have increased dramatically in the United

States. If you've ever been to the airport since 2001, you can easily tell this is true - and it's not

just in airports where the number of guards has risen.

2. It's a great starting point for higher paying protective services employment.

For example: It opens up the opportunity to possibly become an armed guard after completing

the additional training required to obtain your firearms card. Additionally, you may be able to

land a job as a bouncer or a pit boss in a casino, or be contracted into a private security position

with a company that could pay you more. You may need to obtain additional training certificates

in order to get hired in a higher paying position, but usually the training isn't all that difficult, and

can be done over the weekend if needed.

3. You get to protect your community and/or the company through which you are hired.

Bottom line, it can be really fulfilling position because you get to protect a piece of property

and/or a group of people, and have people come to you for help when needed.. Many times while

on duty, you will be called upon for help, almost in a customer service like position. Other times,

you may be needed to help contact the police or fire department in critical situations, and you

could possibly stop thieves and hoodlums from causing havoc.

If you take that into consideration, then it makes sense to become a security guard. But, those are

the advantages. There's a bad side as well. Here are some of the drawbacks which you should

also consider before entering this field.

Cons:

1. It's a relatively low paying position at first.

When you enter the protective services arena at an entry-level position, you're very likely to see a

wage or salary not too much higher than the minimum wage in your area. This is very common,

especially if you work as a retail guard. Money is an important aspect in job selection, so if you

need a high paying position immediately, this might not be the right path for you.

2. Work can be relatively unsafe.

You may be put in a position where your life is at risk, and that is something you will need to

consider before entering this field.

3. You will need to write a lot of reports. Writing reports is something that all security guards

must do, because it helps to log and keep track of everything suspicious that goes on while you're

on duty. These reports may be used in court or to help clarify any incidents that may have

occurred, so you need to know how to write well.

A final reason to avoid becoming a security guard is you will potentially need to walk around a

lot. This may be perfect for some people, while not for others. If you prefer a desk job, although

there are some security desk job type positions (for example surveillance monitors), those jobs

are not widely available, so you will need to be constantly moving and monitoring your areas by

foot.. Everyone should think about this point very carefully, mainly because it could lead straight

to lethargy and simply just being tired after a long work day. On the other hand, you may enjoy

the exercise and actually lose some weight if you decide to become a security guard, which

might work out in your favor.

Read more at the Security Guard Career Center about becoming a security guard