u/Few_Summer_8355

Hey everyone,

I’m 18 and looking to get into the security industry. I'm planning to take the prereqs soon (looking at doing the BST course), but before I drop the cash on the training, licensing, and background checks, I wanted to get some honest, unfiltered advice from people actually working the job.

I’m trying to figure out a few things:

• The Job Market: Is it actually easy to land an entry-level gig right now once you have your license? I’ve heard mixed things—some people say major contract companies (like Paladin, Securitas, Securiguard, Guardteck, etc.) will hire anyone with a pulse, while others say the entry-level market is super oversaturated right now and tough to break into if you don't have connections.
• The Pay: What is the realistic starting hourly rate for someone completely fresh with zero experience? Are most entry-level sites just paying minimum wage, or can you pull a bit more ($18-$21+/hr) starting out?
• The Shifts: What are the hours actually like? I’m expecting a lot of graveyards, weekends, and on-call/flex shifts at the start. How flexible are companies if you have other commitments, and are 12-hour shifts the norm?
• Types of Sites: What are the best/worst sites to watch out for as a beginner? (e.g., retail loss prevention, construction firewatch, residential/strata, mobile patrol, corporate buildings).

If you have any general advice, tips on which companies are decent to work for, or things you wish you knew before getting your license, please let me know.

Thanks in advance!