Are you in the process of starting your career, or looking to change into a different line of work? If you enjoy working with other people, and want a career that allows you to interact with others more and do some good in the world, then a career in public safety could be a worthwhile option for you to consider. Public safety is a great industry for caring individuals who want to make the world a safer place for everybody. If you are a people person with good communication skills, you might tick the boxes needed for a successful career in this field. Some of the main qualities needed to work in a public safety career include:
Passionate About Safety
The right type of person for a career in public safety will be somebody who is passionate about improving the safety of others. This could be an ideal career path for you if you are a naturally caring person who always offers to help wherever and whenever you can. You wouldn’t drive on if you saw somebody get involved in an accident on the road and you’d be the first to offer your CCTV footage if your neighbor was burgled. No matter what you’re doing, you put the safety of yourself and others first and the bystander effect seems to have skipped you. Whenever you see a chance to improve safety or help somebody get to safety, you will take it. This is a crucial quality to possess when your job is centered around keeping others safe. While a master of public safety degree from Wilfred Laurier University will help you prepare for the role, it’s your attitude towards the safety of others that’s going to help you stand out as a candidate.
People Skills
If you want to get into a career in public safety, you might be a better fit for this career if you are an extraverted type of person who enjoys meeting others and getting to know other people better. If you are excited by the idea of helping people from a wide range of different backgrounds and walks of life, public safety could be an industry that is the perfect fit for you, since you’ll likely be working with different people on a daily basis in this type of role. Public safety professionals work closely with professionals in other industries such as law enforcement, healthcare and politics along with the people that they are helping directly.
Background in Public Roles
A strong background of working with the public in some way or another is often one of the main things that employers will look out for when hiring for these roles. Whether you are currently working in another career and want to change to get into public safety, or are a college student thinking about your future career, you can boost your chance of working in public safety by getting experience in fields where you’ll be working with people on a regular basis. Public safety professionals come from a wide range of backgrounds including hospitality and retail, security, law enforcement, healthcare, teaching, transportation, domiciliary care and more.
Thrive in Unpredictability
While some people prefer to work in a job where their role and tasks are clear-cut, and they know exactly what needs to be done each day, others prefer work where there’s a little bit more unpredictability. If you are the type of person who thrives when things aren’t always clear and a little bit of excitement in your role gets you motivated, working in public safety could be a great choice for you. Public safety might be a great career option for anybody who gets bored easily in a predictable job. If you like the idea of working in a stimulating career where there are going to be lots of changing situations that you’ll need to adapt to, a job in public safety might be an appealing option for you. No two days are the same when working in many different public safety roles, and there are always going to be new situations to face and new things that you will need to learn.
Dedicated to Bettering the World
People who want to make the world a better place and help others are likely to stand out most during the interview process for a public safety role. If hearing about bad things that happen around the world makes you upset and you want to find work where you can make a difference to the people who are affected by terrible events or even prevent them from happening in the first place, public safety is a great choice for you. Working in this industry allows you to make a positive impact on improving the world and making it a better, safer place for everybody.
Public Safety Roles and Skills Needed
Public safety is an industry that includes a range of different roles that tend to all work together to improve safety and keep people from experiencing harm. Some popular public safety roles to consider include police officer, community officer, pubic safety officer, federal agent, safety program manager, intelligence analyst, airport police officer, lifeguard, and radio frequency engineer. This field is one that is very diverse and whatever job you choose to do, you can be at the front line of keeping your country and its citizens safe.
To work successfully in a public safety role, you will usually need to demonstrate a certain skillset. While specific skills will vary depending on the type of public safety work that you want to get into, most roles will expect professionals to be observational, be able to adapt quickly, and stay calm in high-pressure situations. You’ll also need to be a critical thinker, fast and confident decision maker, and demonstrate excellent communication and active listening skills.
Public safety is an industry that is focused on making the world a safer place. Public safety professionals work in a range of different roles to reduce crime, protect citizens, and prevent future unsafe situations. If you can relate to the points above, it could be an ideal career choice for you.
