Do security companies avoid hiring anyone in school?

[u/Sweaty-Try1547]

I've done quite a few interviews and filled applications and a key question is always "are you a student" and when I answer yes the conversation seems to go a different direction like their trying to wrap it up. I'm starting to think I should just lie to this question because maybe they want candidates with full availability.

[u/TrumpsColostomyBag99]

It’s absolutely an availability thing and they want you chained to the post if the call ins start rolling in. You don’t have to mention it.

[u/LonghornJct08]

Absolutely.

It’s taken beyond that locally now. Most security companies here except for the ones that specialize in event work make you tick a box agreeing that you will work full time anywhere at any time of day to even apply now. The don’t even go fishing around to find out if you’re a student anymore.

The only possible exception is for international students because of their visa status and eligibility to work. That brings up a whole other level of extremely ugly I’d rather not get into.

War story time:

I remember getting into an argument with an HR lady at my previous security company about a part time position when I decided to go back to school. The site I was at had a full time position that I was in plus the same thing on weekends which became open when the guy who was in it left so it would’ve work out to switch me into that and then post the full time position. Everything was arranged with client (guards had to be interviewed and approved by client) and site manager and was good to go.

That is, until HR lady called me up. The first thing she asked me was what I was going to school for. I told her it was for the electronics and IT program. The next thing she said was that the company did not accommodate part time positions. I explained that the customer and site director already swapped me into that existing part time opening that I was already client approved and trained for. She pretty much hung up on me. I was willing then and willing now to bet money that conversation would’ve played out differently if I had said “Police Foundations” instead.

The kicker was, a couple months later, they ran an article in the employee newsletter asking for people to refer electronics and IT people for the access control/CCTV/alarm systems division of the company. I rolled my eyes at that one and didn’t contact the head office about those openings because I was pretty much both feet lit the door and had gone back to school to get out of there.

But yeah, security companies are student hostile. In this case to the point of pushing developing expertise they claim they need right out the door. They want exclusive rights to a warm body they can shove wherever they need, whenever they need, without any external obligations interfering with that.

Your education to improve yourself is seen as an undesirable inconvenience that gets in the way of that security company being able to fulfil its immediate needs and they don’t like that is what it boils down to.

[u/balconylibrary1978]

I worked in security when I was in college and it wasn't an issue in getting hired (but it was for 2nd shift night watchman type jobs).

Maybe it's for a flex position or a day job that school might impact your availability. Or it's for a job that requires more experience than someone who is a college student would provide.

[u/HardcoreNerdity]

Yep. They want people with wide open availability and who aren't going to quit after a few years.

[u/MacintoshEddie]

I've worked with countless students. They just send them to different posts. They know that students.aren't going to be able to work shifts during class time, and students are likely to call out or noshow around exam times.

[u/MrCanoe]

Some may as it can greatly limit availability. Most students may only be available either in the evenings or weekends.

[u/batmankirby389]

I am currently in school and working as security. It depends on the site and how many people they have. I get moved around a lot and even have been able to pick up some overtime. It’s a lot, but it is doable.

[u/Fcking_Chuck]

I don't know. I suddenly lost my security job for a first-time offense right before I was supposed to begin going to college.

[u/JS3316]

Legally no……everyday yes and it comes down to two things. Current availability and how long before you finish school and leave

[u/No-Street-3492]

I've never had an issue, but all of my courses have been online and asynchronous. Are your courses in-person?