Homeland Security Career Paths

References

Department of Homeland Security Careers

Reflection

Overall choosing a Homeland Security career can be overwhelming due to the 22 agencies that make up the Department of Homeland Security. Throughout my research process I was able to narrow this selection down to 3 agencies, the FBI, U.S. Coast Guard and FEMA. Now within those 3 agencies there are several different positions in which you can utilize a B.A. in Homeland Security. Having this degree can give you a steady entry level position and also a decent salary.

I feel as though this research process has helped me gain a better insight on careers related to my education discipline. Once it's my time to transition from the service I will be able to continue serving within one of these agencies.

COLL100 has helped me gain a better understanding as to what I want to pursue. This course has sharpened skills that I haven't used in some time. Whether its beginning the research process using the Big 6 method, venturing out into the digital world to see what new technologies are available and instilling good practices relating to Digital Information Literacy. I believe everyone can benefit from this type of course.

Thanks for allowing me to present this project. I hope it can be an informative tool for someone that might be considering the same career path as I have. I know it has been for me!

Final Thoughts

As you can see there are several opportunities available with a B.A. in Homeland Security.

Bruce Berkowitz stated, "The White House prefers an incremental approach to homeland intelligence, building off existing organizations." (Berkowitz)

Having this approach with enable future opportunities within the Department of Homeland Security, not to mention opportunities amongst several other federal agencies.

FEMA

The Day Before

Coast Guard

A Day in the Life

• Search and Rescues
• Waterborne Patrols
• Interdicts Illegal Immigrants
• Security Boardings in and around U.S. Ports

Careers

• Emergency Management Specialist
• Risk Analyst
• Program Analyst
• Emergency Manager

(U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Department of Homeland Security)

(FEMA)

Image courtesy of (Behrman)

(FEMA.gov U.S. Government, U.S. Department of Homeland Security)

A Typical Day in the FBI

• Agents within the FBI perform various roles in the Bureau.

• "Agents in our field offices, for example, could be testifying in

federal court one day and executing a search warrant and

gathering evidence the next". (FBI.gov U.S. Government, U.S. Department of Justice)

FEMA

Locations

• Within DHS there are 10 Regional FEMA locations.

• Outside of DHS there are several local and state positions that you can work for.

Image courtesy of (Lourdes)

Image courtesy of (Christyn)

Compensation

(PayScale, INC)

Career Paths

• Information Technology Specialist
• Marine Transportation Specialist
• Criminal Investigator

(PayScale, INC)

(Collins)

Image courtesy of (U.S. Coast Guard)

(PayScale, INC)

United States Coast Guard

Images courtesy of (Lysenko)

Locations

• As a Guardsman you can be located all over the Untied States.
• In all there are 38 locations.

Photo courtesy of (U.S. Coast Guard SAR)

Employment Locations

The FBI

Locations

• The FBI has 56 field offices centrally located in major metropolitan areas across the United States.

• Within these field offices are a total of 380 resident agencies in smaller cities and towns.

Image courtesy of (FBI Field Offices)

(FBI.gov U.S. Government, U.S. Department of Justice)

Career Paths

• FBI Agent
• Intelligence Analyst
• Special Agent
• Supervisory Special Agent

(FBI.gov U.S. Government, U.S. Department of Justice)

Image courtesy of (Mitchell)

By: William D. Smith III

COLL100/IO13/Fall 2016

What type of career can you have within the Department of Homeland Security?

After researching several opportunities I have narrowed the career options to the following:

• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)