Helpful Information on Homeland Security Jobs

The Department of Homeland Security, more commonly referred too as DHS or simply Homeland Security is a department that was created on September 11, 2001. People who work for this department are in charge of protecting people who live in the United States to make sure that the country does not fall under attack whether it be from a terrorist at home or from another country. They do this by securing the country's borders, making sure airports stay safe, our seaports are guarded, and that waterways are kept safe. They also work tirelessly to put out new and improved technology that improves our security measures. Not only do DHS employees respond to terrorist threats or attacks, but they also respond to natural disasters and make sure that people are taken care of after a natural disaster hits. Homeland security jobs are vital positions to have in our country, and we simply cannot remain safe or taken care of without them.

How to Launch a Homeland Security Career

The first thing you need to do to head in the right direction towards getting hired onto the homeland security team is to get a bachelor's degree in homeland security and counterterrorism. You can obtain this degree in a traditional school setting or you can go online and find courses to get the degree in a way that fits your own busy schedule. If you are looking into employment in Homeland Security, you will need a degree in one of these fields:

  • Homeland Security Degree
  • Cybersecurity
  • Emergency Management
  • Counter Terrorism
  • Security Management
  • Criminal Justice Administration

Steps To Take After You Obtain Your Degree


Getting a proper degree is the first step in the right direction, but there are some other things you will need to do to make you stand out as a candidate for a career position. Here are a few other things you will need to make sure you do to get a career in this department:

  • Obtain a degree or appropriate experience
  • Look for an open position on the Homeland Security website
  • Get a medical exam
  • Take and pass a psych exam
  • Pass a series of polygraph tests
  • Pass having your background investigated
  • Pass a drug test
  • Pass through several rounds of interviews
  • Go through the hiring process and get trained on your job specifically

Homeland Security Career Description


There are several different duties and common tasks that go into homeland security jobs. You could be put in charge of doing border patrol, an FBI agent, a secret service agent, etc. You will be working with federal and state governments, helping to serve and protect small communities, and ensure the safety of large and small businesses. Homeland security officials work to make sure that terrorist threats are eliminated, that all of our borders are kept safe, and that we are prepared for if/when natural disasters occur. Getting a career in this field is far from easy, but the rewards are huge and you will feel a huge feeling of pride and satisfaction that comes from knowing you are protecting your country.