Life As A Security Guard: A Day In The Field

So you’ve decided to take the plunge and become a security agent – and who can blame you? The field of security has changed dramatically over the past several years. However, it still seems to be an area that people have questions about or uncertainty about, despite the fact that the role of security agents has become increasingly vital to businesses and individuals alike in recent years. Let’s take a look at what it’s like to work as a security agent on your day in the field.

Morning Routine:

When I get up, I like to write in my journal, have breakfast, and then do stretching exercises before heading out. No matter what’s going on, these habits keep me focused on my priorities for that day. It also helps build confidence and keeps me feeling good about how I’m using my time. For example, when you think of security guards, it’s easy to imagine someone who isn’t very physically fit. But some companies put a lot of emphasis on staying active, which is something most people should do more of!

Getting Dressed:

One of my favorite parts of working security is getting dressed up! This is also one of my least favorite parts because it always takes so long. I don’t like to wear anything too flashy because I’m afraid it might call attention to me and get me into trouble, but then again you want to look nice for your client, otherwise, they may not come back. The standard uniform for security guards used to be a sort of generic black slacks and a button-up shirt with some type of tie, which isn’t bad looking but can become a kind of boring after a while.

On the Job Training:

Learning and mastering your security guard duties is pretty straightforward—it’s more of an art than a science. Security guard jobs involve protecting people, places, and things from any sort of physical or property damage. That can mean directing traffic, preventing shoplifting, patrolling private property, and other routine tasks. When you’re new on the job, there will be training involved to know your duties thoroughly before going out into the public by yourself. 

You’ll learn best practices for how to react if something happens and for communicating effectively with local law enforcement in case of emergencies or disputes. Overall, learning on the job is just like learning anything else; it requires practice and repetition before everything becomes second nature to you.

Meeting New Faces:

New faces are always coming and going at security agencies, so as a guard, you should be prepared to meet new people and make friends quickly. Some agents might stay with one agency for decades while others switch between several over time. In either case, it’s important to meet your co-workers early on and learn from them what to expect from day-to-day life on an assignment. The first few days will be grueling (and probably awkward), but eventually, it all becomes routine and you’ll feel like part of a team. When taking an assignment at a new agency, look for signs that management cares about its employees—for example, training courses offered regularly or morale-boosting activities after work hours.

Evening Routine:

After punching out at 8 p.m., I usually make my way home and spend an hour or two unwinding from work, catching up on social media, and streaming Netflix. Then I’ll have dinner—typically some kind of takeout—while making plans for my night shift. Before heading to bed early to catch an extra couple of hours of sleep, I read for about 30 minutes with my headphones on.