Never Considered a Career in Security? Here Are 4 Reasons You Should

At the start of her career, Caress Kennedy had a couple of items on her dream-job wish list: to do work she’s proud of, and to do it for a market-leading and innovative company. That’s exactly what she came to find at Allied Universal®. 

Today President of the company’s Northeast region, Kennedy started out at Allied as Vice President and General Manager for the New York region before advancing to Managing Partner. In her current role, she oversees more than 26,000 security professionals in eight states, and she’s been impressed by just how meaningful the nature of her work feels. At the end of the day, it’s about bettering people’s lives — be that through clients’ peace of mind or team members’ quality of life and career prospects.

Allied Universal® Is Hiring! Browse Opportunities.

“Working in the security industry is extremely rewarding, as we make a huge difference in our security professional’s lives, offering them competitive wages, benefits, top-of-the-line training and promotional opportunities,” Kennedy said. “We also provide meaningful impact on our customers’ environments, protecting their assets and their people.”

Security work may perhaps not receive as much airtime as other professions when we’re in school and first choosing career paths. But given the industry’s recent growth (with the U.S. sector growing by as much as 14% since 2015), those who’ve found satisfying careers in the field, like Kennedy, are eager to help expose more women to what this line of work has to offer. Here are four reasons it’s worth considering a career in security today. 

1. There are clear opportunities for advancement. 

At Allied Universal®, over 65% of managerial positions are filled by internal candidates. That’s a noteworthy majority, considering that most companies today hire externally for all but a third (or less) of their openings, according to the Harvard Business Review. As part of Allied’s promote-from-within culture, though, advancing your career without switching companies doesn’t have to feel like a longshot. 

2. There’s variety in the work. 

Security work can be done anywhere, as evidenced by the diversity of job types and locations for the thousands of open roles at Allied Universal®. Across the U.S., they’re hiring for positions like security professionals, site supervisors, dispatchers and client managers, based in sites ranging from schools, healthcare facilities, museums and airlines to corporate offices. Whether you live in a metropolis like New York City or a small town in Arkansas, you have the chance to find a position that meaningfully gives back to the community you’re based in. Check out the Allied Universal office locations here.

#ProTip: If you’re interested in joining this growing industry without working directly on the front lines, Allied Universal® is also hiring for a variety of technical and corporate roles, from project managers and systems engineers to HR and sales

3. The benefits are top notch. 

Whether you’re providing on-the-ground security or sitting in a corporate office, Allied Universal® believes in supporting its talent through a high-quality benefits package. From career development programs and 401(k) plans to low-cost medical plans and up to 50% tuition reimbursement, full-time employees have access to compensation that extends well beyond a paycheck.

4. You’ll be standing for something that matters. 

Unlike hawking nice-to-have products that may no longer have a market in 10 years, Allied Universal® will continue to provide value for years to come. People, inarguably, will continue to need security, as well as the protection and peace of mind that comes with it.  The company leads the charge in what safer communities can look like, today and decades down the line. 

Simply put, Allied Universal® makes it easy to believe in the value of the service they’re offering. But folks here believe in standing for a few other key values, too. The company’s “Be Phenomenal™” core value system means the culture here is also aligned around: uniting as a team; being nimble, fast and responsive; remaining client focused; obsessively focusing on results; and promoting efficiency and efficacy. It’s a value-driven environment, on multiple levels.