John Green ⋅ Cary , NC Information Technology ⋅ 40 years experience

Hi Adam -

Thanks for your service.

Your question is vague at best. You need to be able to communicate exactly what you mean. At least from my vantage point, I'm not clear after reading your post several times. You say you have a Bachelors degree, but you do not say in what field. Would it not be important to mention what field it is in?

1. Are you looking to sit at a desk in the Corporate building foyer watching people come to work, swipe their badges and get on the elevator; as well as monitor the closed circuit tv cameras? Also this position mans the security office, which new employees come to get their Corporate ID badge.

2. Is the position you are looking for dealing with IT cyber security where an IT security expert implements and monitors the corporate network for cyber attacks or other intrusion detection?

3. Is the position you are looking for a body guard for a high level executive wherein you carry a concealed weapon?

Which of these is it, if any ?

Position #1 does not pay very much. #2 pays alot if your good at it. #3 pay is medium.

Please clarify.

JG

Doug Hill ⋅ Kearneysville , WV PC Construction ⋅ 20 years experience

I had a job with the Missouri Employment Office and helped people "assemble" their skills into resume bullet points. I understand the language you are speaking, but it will not translate to the civilian world. I recommend that you look at your time in the Army "numerically". That means you are entering a world where management is about staff/crew/craft management (how many did you supervise?), How much money did you save by efficient operations? "Combat" doesn't mean the same out here, but "Trained 1200 men and women from various ethnic backgrounds in basic problem resolution and problem solving through an 18 module Leadership Training Course", that will be exactly what you do but now it is in a language a hiring manager understands. You need to show how you fit in their company as an asset that heightens production numbers and consequently the budget bottom line. Good Luck!

Doug Hill ⋅ Kearneysville , WV PC Construction ⋅ 20 years experience

Adam,

The only way security will pay the bills is if you are a manager for a big company like Allied Barton, Securitas, etc. I recommend you Google Corporate Security Professional Certification. A lot of security positions will also include safety functions. Good Luck!

Guinness Collins ⋅ Tomball , TX St. Anne Catholic School ⋅ 3 years experience

Adam, healthcare security is quite extensive. Networking on LinkedIn and/or with others in the healthcare industry can help guide you. In your larger health systems, they work, treat and deal with many from an international basis. I know at my health system, most of the corporate security are former military or law enforcement. They are used for investigations, active cooperation with local law enforcement, international security coordination, self labeled VIP healthcare etc. Networking is your best bet into the industry.

Thank you for your service and best of luck
Guinness

Melissa McSherry ⋅ Arlington , VA Capital One ⋅ 18 years experience

Adam,

Thank you so much for your service.

I know that Capital One has a pretty extensive corporate security function that goes well beyond security guards in banks. They also like to hire veterans and I think take a pretty thoughtful approach to solving problems, along the lines of what you said you were interested in (not just the basics). May I suggest you see if you can connect in there using LinkedIn?

Good luck and please let me know if I can be of any additional help.

Warm regards,
Melissa

John Green ⋅ Cary , NC Information Technology ⋅ 40 years experience

Have you checked with sealsecurity.com 1525 Blalock Road Houston, Texas 77080 ? Or how about www.alliedbarton.com/houston 1235 North Loop West Fwy, Houston, TX 77008 ? Allied recently conducted a Veteran's Job Fair at Katy VFW Post 9182, did you attend that one ? And lets not forget the largest contract security company in Houston : Imperial; have you been down to meet with them ?

Also please state how your degree relates to your career choice. It is not clear to me that your degree is relevant, which may inhibit prospective employers from calling you for an interview. Do you have a plan to update your education to more closely align with your selected career field ?

Adam Miller ⋅ The Colony , TX U.S. Army, Staff Sergeant ⋅ 12 years served

Let me clarify a little about myself and my question. In the military I conducted training with subordinates as well as mentoring and counseling them in their military development. I supervised law enforcement patrols and criminal investigations on base. While deployed, I lead Soldiers on missions in and around the Baghdad area, to include meeting with local leaders and establishing good relations. I also attended the Army's school for Physical Security. In addition, I have a Bachelor's degree from the the University of Oklahoma in Fine Arts.

I would like to find a job in security where I can help with leading and developing a whole concept security; everything from locking doors to developing measures that are highly effective, but do not impede a company's customer/client interaction and goals. This includes protection of personnel and property. As I stated above, all the security jobs posted/offered are the sitting-at-a-desk-checking-badges kind of job, which I am not looking for. Major companies have security procedures in place, I would like to know how to get involved at that level.

Tom Cal, CFA ⋅ San Francisco , CA Army Veteran, Investment Manager ⋅ 25 years experience

Please let me know if this mentoring program interests you.
https://www.asisonline.org/Membership/Member-Center/Pages/Mentorship.aspx

Tom Cal, CFA ⋅ San Francisco , CA Army Veteran, Investment Manager ⋅ 25 years experience

Adam,
I advise you learn about and get involved with the professional organization ASIS asisonline.org .

Are you on LinkedIn?

Using LinkedIn and other resources, can you identify people who work in careers that interest you? If you can identify folks who have careers similar to careers you want, you'll have gone a long way in starting to identify constructive career development and job search actions you can take.

Your thoughts? Please message me after you reply so I know to return to this discussion.