Benefits of Getting a Homeland Security Degree
Choosing a degree program is an essential first step that you will have to take if you wish to advance in your career. Homeland security is a rapidly growing field that is worthwhile to study for people who want a career in cybersecurity, law enforcement, private security, criminal investigations, and other similar fields.People who know how to protect the homeland are likely to have jobs that are in demand over at least the next few decades due to the nature of emerging threats. Getting your degree can set you on a path toward obtaining a high-paying job while doing rewarding work that truly helps society as a whole.
Advantages of Degrees in National Security
Choosing a career in the security field can set you on the road to success. People who work for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security make an average of $74,874 per year. However, many people are able to make significantly more by the end of their careers since salary raises are generally given every year.Moreover, there are significant opportunities for advancement within DHS. Students who study management skills as part of their degree program usually have no problem advancing to become responsible for entire departments within DHS. Of course, management is not for everyone, so DHS offers advancement opportunities for people who excel in other areas as well. For instance, people with strong technical skills can maintain internal computer systems or do work in cybersecurity.
There are a broad range of advantages when working for the U.S. government.
- Federal employees get a level of professional respect that does not come with jobs that pay a similar amount in the private sector. Many employees at DHS are regarded as officials, so you could have significant power to make a difference in the lives of the victims who you will work to protect.
- Government employees also get large benefits packages that provide for a comfortable retirement and good medical coverage for life. You may even be able to retire early while still receiving your full package of retirement benefits.
Skills Learned in Security Degrees
Obtaining an education in the security field teaches you skills that are useful in a wide range of applications. Most security skills are applicable to government jobs, but there are also a wide range of opportunities in the private sector.To prepare for your future work, most degree programs will start by giving you a strong background in the psychology and the politics of terrorism. You will get to learn the root causes of terrorism and approaches that have been developed to protect society against this detrimental form of activity. You will also get an education in intelligence that can be used to track and understand instances of terrorism.
Of course, your degree will also teach you some of the practical knowledge that you will need to perform effectively in your future career. You will learn about security in cases of terrorism and national emergencies. Students also learn about how to act in times when public order falls apart.
Other topics that you will study include border security, critical infrastructure, and open-source intelligence. In many cases, you will complete additional studies once you get a job after graduation. However, the information that you learn in your degree program will provide you with the base of knowledge needed to get a foot in the door in the national security field.
Obtaining a Homeland Security Degree
Getting a security degree is an extensive process that you should be prepared to invest a significant amount of time and money into completing. The first step is to research the exact plan of study that you wish to complete. For instance, you may want to get a graduate degree after finishing your undergraduate education. Some students can also benefit from doing a dual degree that provides learning in a complementary field.Once you know what you want to study, you can start to look for the right school to attend. In today's world, there are many schools that are available online. Completing your entire degree over the internet has significant advantages since you can live and work wherever you want while finishing your studies. Therefore, you could potentially attend a school on the other side of the country without having to quit your current job.
Some students perform better in a conventional classroom setting, so you should consider your personal strengths when deciding how you plan to obtain your degree. Upon completing your studies, you can usually start your career in government or the private sector immediately away after graduation.
