Homeland security and public safety is a dynamic and diverse career field that keeps evolving to meet new needs. These professionals help to reduce our country’s vulnerabilities as well as minimize the damage caused by catastrophic events. Created in 2001, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is now one of the largest federal agencies with more than 183,000 workers. Many homeland security jobs are with government agencies. However, there are also plenty of opportunities in private companies and nonprofit organizations. Professionals in this field anticipate, prevent, and react to everything from pandemics to hurricanes to terrorism. Options exist both for those who like to be in the forefront and for those who prefer to work in the background. Specific areas include: Revealing potential security threats Analyzing intelligence and recognizing potential problems Responding to and managing critical incidents including fires Assessing and addressing an organizations safety and terrorism risks Investigating incidents and collecting evidence

Professionals in this field need to be dedicated to their work and always conduct themselves with integrity and impartiality. Since they interact with many different types of people, they need strong interpersonal skills and communications capabilities. They must also be able to keenly observe their surroundings and recognize any strange or suspicious behavior. A career in homeland security and public safety could be right for you if you: Are comfortable working in an organized hierarchy Believe in showing great respect for authority and superiors Can work well alone or in a group Have strong observation and reporting skills Respond well under stress Can work with details Are willing to be a positive role model for the community