Security Clearances?

[dwood]

Hello,

I have been trying to get an entry level position for quite sometime in the security and/or homeland security area. A little background information on myself; I am 22 years old with no prior security experience (unless you can count loss prevention at Staples, Inc as security), I have obtained an Associates degree and plan on pursuing a Bachelors degree. My current profession is as a substitute teacher. I feel that on the physical side of security I am qualified as I have trained under Grand Master Ho Kwon 9th degree dan black belt and world sparring champion, I am a 3rd degree dan black belt in karate, hap ki do, kung fu, kickboxing, weapons training (non-projectile) and tae kwon do.

I am currently not and have never been in the military. Though the more and more I search for this type of job, I am coming to think that becoming an officer in the military might be the way to go. I really want a job with the FBI, CIA, NSA, DHS or other intelligence or homeland security office doing security. Though most of the jobs out there for these positions either require top secret or secret security clearances.

How does one get into position to get a security clearance when one does not have any experience at these positions? You have to start somewhere and I am having a very hard time finding out the hows.

I have thought about applying for a job with the FBI doing surveillance but due to their 3-year drug disqualification, I cannot proceed to do so (1 more year until its waived). Yes, I admit that I have made mistakes in the past due to immaturity, but I am way past this point and would like to focus on my future.

If anyone can point me in the right direction or has a contact that relates to this, I would greatly appreciate any help you can give.

Thank You.

[capwil]

dwood,

In this day and age all emplyers want experience. The more you can offer the better. Since you have none, but are trained in a few of the arts, doesn't mean you'll get a job, as you've said. You can be trained in the art of miracle working and they still won't look at your application.

If you are serious about getting a full time job with the government, the military would be the way to go to get experience - and get paid for it.

Security clearance is another issue altogether. You don't get hired by a company with no experience and expect them to give you a restricted access card to parts of the building where only 2% of the emplyees can venture. I did communication work on secure lines with the canadian forces part time. The only reason I got that job was the fact that someone I knew, knew I was looking to get into communications and offered me a postiion. He did that only on the reason that he knew I could be trusted with the information given to me. I now work part time as an officer so I can keep a civilian job and not have to worry about moving every 2-4 years across the country. I now do transportation/fuel technology and I started the first approved cadet space program in Canada in Sept. 2000.

The US standards are different and can be more demanding in some circumstances for training. The best thing you can do is to find a job that deals with security. Such as, a casino, money handling service, or even a rent-a-cop company. You will find it hard to get in to one of those places, let alone a major firm! The key is to keep calling and applying as you would with any job. Luck, can also help. I own/operate a gas station and deal with enough cash to retire on if I saved up the whole years worth of money. I'm entrusted in myself to pay my staff and keep the station running to avoid city law suits. I train an assistant manager every few months before they go off and get a small convenience store/station of their own. A bit of experience can go a long way, providing it holds the background of which career you would like to pursue.