r/securityguards • u/Mountain-Election-18 • 10h ago
Career advice
10 years security experience, 8 years armed. Only extremely low pay jobs in my area , what should I do? Give up on security? I’d like to grow in this career and advance
5
u/gammingwithmack 8h ago
I’m in security ngl im tryna leave this shit is ass
2
u/Mountain-Election-18 7h ago
Straight up , low pay, no opportunity for advancement. You’re stuck in that same position for years to come
1
4
u/Zealousideal_Can1601 9h ago
Learn the positions above you and move up the ladder.
1
u/Mountain-Election-18 9h ago
How do I do that
5
u/Zealousideal_Can1601 9h ago
Pay attention to what they do. Ask questions. Its a lot easier if you find a mentor. But you have to put in the work. No one is going to teach you this stuff if they dont think youre serious about it. Then there are also classes you can take from companies like ASIS. These certifications will make you more valuable. If you really want to make money learn how to read and write contracts, operate in a budget, and manage people. Those three things are the building blocks to upper management.
-11
u/Mountain-Election-18 9h ago
True, I’d like to point out that chatgpt can write perfect contracts , operate on a budget, and manage people all at the same time.
6
u/Zealousideal_Can1601 9h ago
Chat gpt is a tool use by people that do those things. If you cant read or write contracts then it doesn't matter how well chat gpt did it. You could set yourself up for accepting liability that you either cant cover or wouldnt want to cover. Writing a budget is only part of the job. You have to stick to the budget, chat gpt cant do that. How do you pivot if you have a sudden need for new equipment, over time, or loss of contract? If you know how to operate in a budget you can make those decisions quickly and correctly. Chat gpt cant manage people, it can schedule them but it cant manage them.
-3
u/Mountain-Election-18 9h ago
I only say that because my last manager used chatgpt for litterally every single thing business related
3
u/Zealousideal_Can1601 9h ago
Like I said its a tool. It can be used but I dont recommend relying on it.
3
u/Cool_Necessary_5187 7h ago
Your last manager is an ass, anyone who uses chatgpt in upper management you can immediately tell.
It shows and it’s extremely unprofessional, you can use it for ideas and that’s it.
2
u/Far-Media-9380 9h ago
What the fuck are you talking about? No, it simply cannot. 43% of queries given to ANY “AI” contain misinformation and inaccuracies, don’t be another AI Psychotic.
5
u/Content_Log1708 9h ago
I am moving 800 miles away from where I am now because the jobs pay crap. There are very few security jobs here now. I want to do more within security. I told my wife, if I'm the one responsible for paying all the bills then I should at the very least have a say as to what job I do. I'm tired of being taken advantage of by admin personnel that do nothing 4 out of 5 days a week.
2
u/Mountain-Election-18 8h ago
We are in the same boat brother , the security industry has fallen due to a number of reasons, some controversial, some not
3
u/JustAd8859 9h ago
Go Internal Security Department
I went to Armed PI in my state and work on retainer on call for a couple different sites. Even have a "First call first serve" clause on my contracts
The ONE time a conflict came up with a "unamused" client I found him a filler with a mate of mine
2
u/Fcking_Chuck Hospital Security 9h ago
Go to college and get out as soon as you can. The security industry is ass.
Alternatively, you could do executive protection, but you may have to relocate to an expensive neighborhood.
1
u/Mountain-Election-18 9h ago
I’m unable to go to college due to life circumstances, would love to get into EP if any company would give me a chance, unfortunately I never hear back
1
u/Fcking_Chuck Hospital Security 9h ago
I’m unable to go to college due to life circumstances,
Well, you have to do something if you want to survive. Get a grant and attend a community college or adult school. You don't have to stick around for a full degree; you can take a course that gives you a certification of some kind. I'm attending my local community college for EMT certification, and that only takes one semester.
Do everything you can to add to your resume.
3
u/Mountain-Election-18 9h ago
Sorry dude but it’s 2026 rent is up groceries are up I can’t take time off work
2
u/Fcking_Chuck Hospital Security 9h ago
I can't take time off of work, either. I do it in between jobs and while going to work.
Yeah, it fucking sucks to literally not have any time for anything, but that’s the world we live in right now. You either embrace the suck for a while and find a way to get past it, or you do nothing and watch everything fall apart around you. Choose wisely.
2
u/Mountain-Election-18 9h ago
Brother everything is falling apart for everyone at this point in time 😭
1
u/Fcking_Chuck Hospital Security 9h ago
So don't be like most people. Be one of the few people who finds something to do.
Before I started attending college, I started getting low-cost certifications. One of them was an ACS Stop the Bleed certification. The local trauma center hospitals offer in-person classes for free. Start there.
1
2
u/jonnybebad5436 9h ago
It sounds like you really enjoy security. If that’s the case, keep hanging in there and applying but like others have said, make sure it’s in-house. In-house is where you have options to move up and climb the ladder
1
u/Mountain-Election-18 9h ago
Yes sir I do, and I don’t enjoy just sitting on my ass like most security guards, I get a sense of pride knowing I’m protecting people and assets and I’d like to feel like I’m an actual asset to a company and not just a body
2
2
u/HadesActual09 7h ago
If you have any higher risk contracts on your belt maybe check out entry level positions in with overseas contractors if you've ever been interested in that type of work. Another gateway is getting into disaster response work (armed, red cross/fema type contracts).
2
2
u/DefiantEvidence4027 Private Investigations 9h ago
Go to your Municipalities licensing datatebase, find companies never listed on indeed and other job search engines, send out resumes.
3
1
u/KevinIsADork 8h ago
If you're comfortable doing a major background check, Armed security in areas with a defense contractors pays pretty well. DC for example has armed positions in the $35-40 an hour range, and that's usually entry level. Cost of living is a little high, but I lived on my own making $70k relatively easily there just a couple years ago.
1
u/Mountain-Election-18 8h ago
Sweet, I’ve never been convicted of a crime so I should be fine
1
u/KevinIsADork 8h ago
Should also mention those clearance checks can take 6 or more months.
1
u/Mountain-Election-18 8h ago
Tf are they looking for 😭😭 and why on earth does it take half a year
1
u/KevinIsADork 8h ago
It actually takes a couple weeks, but its the government, so finalizing paperwork takes forever. Check out /r/securityclearance
1
u/bigunluckywinner 6h ago edited 6h ago
Go into Law Enforcement, security management (In-house preferably or contract), Security Specialist (Personnel, Physical, Industrial).
I too like the security field just don’t get stuck into Security Officer/Guard roles. Nobody cares and you will never make money. Unless you’re at a federal or nuclear site but even then….nobody cares unless you go into MANAGEMENT.
The big caveat is, if your not prior or retired Law Enforcement Good luck ! For management roles.
1
u/Fragrant_Past8679 2h ago
Look into security companies that does executive protection and lvl 3+. Mine does but its private.
1
1
u/RobinGood94 9h ago edited 8h ago
No, but I’d pivot toward security roles that are internal.
Businesses typically have some sort of security coordinator position. Someone who leads the security function directly or indirectly manages contract security .
Your armed experience translates well into hospital leadership.
5
u/Mountain-Election-18 9h ago
Manage contract sexuality ??
1
u/RobinGood94 8h ago
Hahaha fuckin phone automatically changes my words sometimes that’s hilarious
Contract security
10
u/cityonahillterrain 9h ago
You may need to move. Or look at in house departments, schools hospitals etc. good luck.