Looking for trouble? Why not get paid for your efforts.
If the thought of keeping keep high-profile entertainers, sports stars and public officials safe as they travel from place to place intrigues you and you’re willing to put yourself in harms way to land this kind of gig, you’ll need very specific training if you’re to meet the rigorous responsibilities that will, on occasion, rest squarely on your shoulders.
Learn the ins and outs of being a top-tier security guard
• Talk with professionals already working in the field. Expect to be impressed by the number of credentials the busiest personal security guards amass so they can offer prospective clients the most amount of protection–firearms licenses, evasive/defensive driving skills and international driving permits. Don’t be surprised if you learn that the most professional are even trained to handle medical emergencies if the person they’re guarding becomes injured.
• Take a variety of criminal justice classes from a school that offers a broad curriculum. Pursue psychology classes so you have a rudimentary understanding of the diverse personalities with whom you’ll come into contact—obsessive fans, stalkers and overly zealous folks willing to do anything to get into the physical space of a celeb. Spend time in the military if you want to become an expert on firearms and tactical operations; inquire into police academies in your area to see if they offer coursework to civilians, check more details here.
• Take advanced physical training classes so you can provide the muscle personal security guards are regularly called upon to use in the event of threats, skirmishes and other emergencies. Don’t ignore tending to your mental health, as the job of being a personal security guard is peppered with long periods of idle time that will require you to stay sharp despite being on standby for hours at a time. Develop the mental agility you’ll need to withstand these high and low periods of duty.
Obtain credentials required of highly-employable personal security guards
• Get and maintain gun carry licenses and permits. Take refresher courses at every opportunity to maintain sharp physical skills and a high level of personal confidence. Stay on top of new advances in the personal security industry so your equipment is state-of-the-art and ready to be used, if necessary, to safeguard your clients.
• Steer clear of “crash courses” promising to train you to be a personal security guard in a week; risking the life of your client—not to mention your own–due to inadequate training could hurt your client and end your career, at the very least.
• Always be aware of the fact that while the career you’re seeking to pursue demands physical stamina, your psychological health is equally as important in a field that can take a toll on your nervous system. Be open to getting counseling if you feel you need it and work hard to balance your personal life so you can devote your energy and focus to your client’s well-being.