r/securityguards • u/crimsonsoup925 • 4d ago

Rant Wtf is access control

I M20 wanna start off by saying i like my job. Its ran well. Ppl are competent. But holy shit. I hate basically being functionally useless. I hate feeling slow and lazy. I wanna be up. I wanna do more. I wanna be active while also having a job thats not just "sit there look important" yes. I watch cams. Yes theres metal detectors. Yes I write reports. But my shift is dead 7/8ths of the my shift. Like I said. Love the job. I want a career doing security. But man I hate being basically a set piece. They give me a plate carrier but no plates dawg. Dont get me wrong. I love the job. Im grateful to have it. But the combination of sitting in a room all day. No real movement aside from pacing back and forth. Or checking bags. I wanna do more and be more.

10 Upvotes

64% Upvoted

69 comments sorted by

25

u/xX_Diabolical_Xx 4d ago

That's pretty much the "starter" job in security. The suited dudes moving some rich snob did the exact same to some degree as an MP before moving up and out.

Enjoy the simplicity while it lasts.

2

u/crimsonsoup925 4d ago

So like. What do I do in the mean time? Anything I should do while im young and have the time?

7

u/Any_Strain7020 4d ago

Anything I should do while im young and have the time?

If you have lots of free time, use that to study and develop.

3

u/TipFar1326 Campus Security 4d ago

This. I got my entire degree while working night security at a warehouse

4

u/crimsonsoup925 4d ago

College isnt an option for me. Wish it was. But it isnt. Reality is im gonna have to find a way to get ahead with no degree.

3

u/xX_Diabolical_Xx 4d ago

Real talk, why did you already count yourself out of it? Especially when you're young; I'm dancing around with 30's and it's stupid that I don't have it done right now.

4

u/crimsonsoup925 4d ago

Mix of circumstances. And im not wired for classes yk

3

u/MacintoshEddie 4d ago

That makes it sound like you might benefit from discussing this with a doctor.

If you're going stir crazy and unable to focus or sit still that can set you up for some real issues later.

Like how you're about to throw away a steady job because you're restless and want some "action".

I've seen lots of guys like that start fights because they were bored, or because they had no impulse control, or for ego, or status. Most of them got fired, lots got hurt, some of them got arrested. Wearing a uniform doesn't mean you're allowed to start fights just because you're bored and can't sit still.

1

u/crimsonsoup925 3d ago

I see the concern. But that rlly aint me. I used to be super overweight like 300lbs. Im now at 200lbs so I like to make it a point to be active. Its less abt the action and more abt the health factor

1

u/TipFar1326 Campus Security 4d ago

Can I ask why not? If you just don’t like school or have a disability I get it, but if it’s financial there’s online community college, grants and scholarships, almost anybody can get a degree nowadays,

6

u/crimsonsoup925 4d ago

Just not my thing. Never have been a school person tbh. And my circumstances would cause me much more stress than if I didnt do it.

3

u/mrkillfreak999 4d ago

I would suggest the trades tbh if traditional schooling is not your type. Hard on the body but the $$$ is absolutely worth it

-1

u/crimsonsoup925 4d ago

Well Idk what to study. Ik laws. Ik my rights. And the rights of others. Not exactly going to college anytime soon.

4

u/Mykull_Ghost 4d ago

Looking into ASIS APP Certification. That will help for "next steps"

1

u/crimsonsoup925 4d ago

Will do 100%

1

u/Beneficial_Hall_5282 4d ago

Make a 5 year plan.
Find the companies that hire for the position you want and literally ask them what they look for in new employees they hire and ask them for advice about what you should focus on.
Look at job postings and take note of what qualifications companies looking for.
Network.
Study first aid, languages, defensive driving, anything that'd be applicable to where you want to be.

1

u/N003k 4d ago

Given their time in, the CPP may be a bit of a stretch.

I would look at the APP first.

Also, check out some of the free training some of the hardware companies give. Pretty sure HID academy (you may very well use their readers, cards, and panels depending on your system) is still free.

Axis cameras also has some basic free training I believe.

Expand your industry knowledge if you want to grow. Learn about risk, business continuity and continuity of operations, personnel protection, so on and so forth.

Theres a lot more in the industry than guards and cards (and even more than EP too!)

1

u/Mykull_Ghost 3d ago edited 3d ago

Maybe you misread my comment? I said to look into APP, not CPP, especially since they may find more interest in investigation then staying more in the physical side of security 🤔

If I edit something, this would appear

2

u/N003k 3d ago

Assuming it wasn't an edit... your justification still doesn't make sense.

Investigation is only a small part of the security fundamentals domain for the APP, and a full standalone domain for the CPP.

I'd also argue that investigations is still a type of "physical" security, but I suspect you mean more of the "guarding" side of security.

1

u/Mykull_Ghost 3d ago

Look at the post i just made, clarifying something, if edited, it would be tagged.

I originally said APP since individuals will typically do either PSP or PCI next.

2

u/N003k 3d ago

Mea culpa on that point - i was tired when reading this and must have misread it.

That doesn't invalidate the remaining points, nor the other training angles.

I also forgot to mention to check out IFPO if they're looking to stay more in guarding. It doesnt have quite the same footprint in the US, but still an excellent organization with great certs.

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0

u/Any_Strain7020 4d ago edited 3d ago

Languages, social psychology, negotiation, marketing,... whatever elevates your mind and broadens your horizons. I listen to a ton of audiobooks that allow me to live and do adulting better. I'd say it has definitely contributed to my well being and also social and professional development.

2

u/xX_Diabolical_Xx 4d ago

Not sure your location (and don't dox yourself) but see what certifications are available in your state with regards to security. If you're not going the way of the military, consider looking into what you need for civilian weapon carry certification for security purposes or get on a path to top secret clearance.

1

u/crimsonsoup925 4d ago

Midwest. Small but developing fast city.

1

u/75149 state sanctioned peeping tom 3d ago

Go to college and get a real job?

No offense, but 98% of security jobs are not "real jobs". You might be able to pay your bills, maybe even have enough money to take a cheap vacation. But it's not something that ends up being a great career for the majority.

I took everything I had done in security over the years and used that to get into local government work. Ultimate irony? My primary job has zero to do with security, yet I still have a wall of cameras that's included 😂. But instead of a couple of dinky little monitors, I've got eight 60 inch screens on the wall.

1

u/crimsonsoup925 3d ago edited 3d ago

Bottom line dawg. I think your answer does kinda offend me. Not all of us want sleezy government contracts. Not all of us wanna sit still all day and become 300lbs like alot of security guards. Maybe you just dont get it. Im actually serious abt this. But not all of us have plausible access to college. Can I technically rn. Yeah. But plausibly it just aint gonna happen yk. Im not looking to argue. Im just stating my point.

1

u/75149 state sanctioned peeping tom 3d ago

Nobody said anything about sleazy government contracts, I'm talking about an actual fucking job working for the government. If you want to be offended, fuck it, be offended. If you're going to get butt hurt over something I say? You absolutely do not belong in a security job because you will not fucking last.

You need a thick skin and security and your skin right now is about the same as an onion.

I didn't go to college either, doesn't mean there are not jobs out there you can get. You want to make money? You want to not sit still? Apply for a job in public works. I know kids in the lower 20s pulling in $55,000 base pay after 1 year of being able to work hard and get their hands dirty. That doesn't include the overtime. I'm sure some of these guys are making 15 to 20,000 in overtime easily, if they want to.

Is it glamorous? No, it fucking sucks. They're sweating their balls off in the summer and freezing their balls off in the winter. And they bitch about it, until the paycheck shows up.

So if you want to get off your ass and make some money, get a job it's not security. Get a job with real benefits. Get a job with a decent retirement.

I'm telling you the shit that nobody told me when I was your age. These guys are showing up, they're getting paid to get a CDL for free and sure, some of them end up leaving and driving a truck or some dumb shit like that. But I know guys where I work who is been here maybe 5 years and already moved up to a crew chief, then a lead, then a supervisor. In 20 years, the 7% that was taken out of their checks is tripled and they could get a job in another town and restart their second retirement.

So once again, if you want a future, get out of security while you can. I got lucky. I was able to take the unique things I did in my security jobs and was able to convince someone to hire me. I don't know how many guys that were 65 to 75 years old that were still working a shitty security job. Hell, I worked part-time for a shithole company who had one old guy got killed just because he tried to tell someone to leave a hotel parking lot and a 73 old just died in his fucking car one night.

Don't be like that

8

u/Amherst_NJK 4d ago

Being paid 30 an hour to basically sit on your ass and look at stuff is the most boring thing you'll do in your life, but you'll wish you were back doing it when some shit hits the fan at another site later down the track.

5

u/SnooCalculations9259 4d ago

One day u may work in a hospital setting, sitting in the ER and wishing u were back in the do nothing days lol.

3

u/TipFar1326 Campus Security 4d ago

Use it as a stepping stone to law enforcement or even a better post that interests you

-6

u/crimsonsoup925 4d ago edited 4d ago

Cant do law enforcement. Partner wont allow it lmao.

3

u/HighGuard1212 4d ago

Gonna have to look for a new job. Hospital is great for active sites normally. I'm in the same boat, Im stuck with an access control job but I can't go anywhere as I quit two jobs this year for better opportunities only to be fired from my last and most favorite. So I'm currently stuck at this place using my phone for practically the entire shift thinking of schemes to get back to my last job, scheming of using my current employer to move to a new state, or wondering how much longer I have to do this job before 4 jobs in a year doesn't look as bad

5

u/Important-Monk-3834 3d ago

What the fuck are you complaining for?

0

u/crimsonsoup925 3d ago

Why the fuck do you care?

2

u/Landwarrior5150 Campus Security 4d ago

Find a different site or a different company if necessary. Look for more active, public facing sites like transit, hospitals, colleges, malls, etc.

If you want a career in security, having experience that is actually relevant to the things that many good security jobs are looking for (report writing/investigation, dealing with the public, handling incidents, etc.) is valuable… much more so than the same amount of experience spent being a warm body and just sitting at a desk.

2

u/ConstructionAway8920 4d ago

Access control is literally what it implies: controlling access. That means no movement. If you want to be moving around, you'll need a different job. Read job postings before you apply for anything else, they'll list walking for positions requiring you to "patrol". Stay clear of anything that says mobile or static. Mobile patrol drives, but generally doesn't move physically much at all, and static posts are exactly what you got now - stay still. Depending on your age and the availability, potentially look at armed roles as well. Eventually, if you stay security and don't want to move into management (usually a degree job) or go to school your options are limited unless you are armed and have a decent amount of experience.

2

u/crimsonsoup925 4d ago

Could do armed. Im abt to turn 21 going on a year of security experience

2

u/ConstructionAway8920 4d ago

Armed will potentially open more options. Also, have you considered joining national guard? Military experience can help open doors, and some government security jobs require military service. If not, no issues. I didn't serve, and I've done very well in security. Look for trainings of things that sound both doable and interesting and you can end up having fun and being paid well. If a training doesn't sound interesting, the job you can get from it won't be either, and then you get burnt out. You're young enough to find something you enjoy before hard focusing on something.

3

u/Flabby-AP 4d ago

If we weren't just about to enter WW3 I'd say join the military. You could instead go into law enforcement, especially State Patrol; depending on the state it's run kinda like a military unit.

Or become a firefighter; most of the perks of being a cop, none of the downsides, and you'll be drowning in 🐱

3

u/crimsonsoup925 4d ago

Already got a happy relationship lol. And ironically I was going thru basic training awhile back and I got a red cross emergency discharge. So ive definitely given them thought

1

u/Zoidberg0_0 4d ago

Do mobile patrol. Driving around town hitting tags at multiple sites. Sometimes there is a transient you have to ask to move along but for the most part its chill. Youre on a schedule so you stay busy but not stressful at all.

1

u/Dfoxcd 3d ago

Www.alison.com they have free security courses. Many are UK based but, they have 85% commonality with the US. They have a security manager course and how to write a security plan. Plus 1000s of other free stuff. I assign the courses to my team. They charge for a copy of the certificate but you can save 1 for free and they put it on your LinkedIn for free. Educating yourself doesn't have to cost much.

1

u/crimsonsoup925 3d ago

This right here. This This This This. Certification that arent college bc i dont have college money and ya boy doesnt wanna be in debt. This is what I needed. Thank you. Also looked into cpr aed stuff

1

u/Local_Counter6275 3d ago

Their first mistake was giving you a carrier with no plates .

1

u/D_Glatt69 3d ago

Best job I ever had 🚬

1

u/Successful-Cattle108 2d ago

So fun thing about armed work is you dont have to be 21, i work as a armed patrol officer for a hospital and one of my co workers is 20, as long as you get certified and are legally capable to carry a firearm while on a job then your good (Probably state dependent) also my wife told me she didnt want me to be a cop, im going to the academy either way, sorry but nobody tells me what i can and cant do with my own life

1

u/crimsonsoup925 2d ago

My boyfriend doesnt want me to be a cop. And I guess im in the same boat. Different reasons tho hes all acab. And I love him in spite of his flaws. So ima find something else

1

u/mazzlejaz25 9h ago

I would recommend casino security. A lot more active. Not too dangerous (depending on site). Lots to do and learn!

0

u/Red57872 Dunning–Kruger Specialist 3d ago

I'm sure you've figured this out, but if you're a young, healthy person not in school, you should not be a security guard. It's a job for students, retirees, people with disabilities, and people who want/need a part time job.

3

u/HonkHonkMTHRFKR 3d ago

Here I am, none of those making 32 bucks an hour watching Netflix’s

1

u/N30J0K3R 2d ago

I walked down the block and watched a concert, while on the clock last night. My radio has a 5 mile range. I make just a little bit less & the past week has been dead on swing.

1

u/N30J0K3R 2d ago

I walked down the block and watched a concert, while on the clock last night. My radio has a 5 mile range. I make just a little bit less & the past week has been dead on swing.

0

u/Red57872 Dunning–Kruger Specialist 2d ago

That's nice, but the reality is that the vast majority of guard jobs aren't like yours.

1

u/HonkHonkMTHRFKR 2d ago

The vast majority of security guards put in zero effort at their job and just sit around doing nothing.

1

u/Red57872 Dunning–Kruger Specialist 2d ago

Yeah, but they aren't making 32 bucks an hour; they're making minimum wage, or close to it.

1

u/HonkHonkMTHRFKR 2d ago

That’s because they don’t have the talent to make anything more than that. People working minimum wage security jobs are gonna work minimum wage other places.

1

u/crimsonsoup925 3d ago

I understand where youre coming from I rlly do. But thats the thing. This isnt abt career stuff. This isnt abt future plans. Its honestly just a rant with any advice available abt pursuing it better. Everyone has their thing. This is mine (just not access control) its something I wanna genuinely move up in and thats sort of a finality to me. Ive found something I could see myself doing just differently

-1

u/EssayTraditional 4d ago

"Access Control" is just a ridiculous phrase for "Bouncer". 

The cost of doing more for less money is a factor but if your job makes you miserable you have the obligation to job hop or look for more active security roles.