The document provides career advice for young security professionals based on the author's experience working in the security industry. It outlines three key strategies: networking to build professional connections that can help advance one's career; gaining relevant experience, even through unpaid internships, to learn the basics of the field; and developing leadership skills by inspiring others, setting goals, and learning from more experienced mentors. The author emphasizes the importance of networking and personal relationships for career opportunities and survival in the security industry.

1. HOW TO GROW BIG IN THE SECURITY WORLD-By Dominic Ogutu
WhenI was youngthe bestpart of anymotivational storywasthatI was Tomorrow’sleaderandsowere
all other kids. Today I have grown up, I have become a career man but I count myself not yet matured.
Everyyounggraduate comesfrom the University orcollege withgreat ambitions and plans of how they
wantto utilize theirdegreesandcertificates.Theyalways know that they are good to go only to realize
later that the world is a small village with lots of opportunities that only a few get. This article will
basically and briefly try to enlighten those ambitious and determined young professionals especially
those in the Security Industry since that’s where even the Court of Law can allow me to testify
professionally.Thisarticle isbasedfroma lengthy discussion I had with my Manager on how to grow in
this understaffed yet slow to employ security industry.
Having graduated in late 2015 and being able to work for three highly esteemed Security and Risk
companies,manyof my friends and some of my school mates do ask me often how I have managed to
cruise throughsuch a tussle.Havingsatdownand thoughtaboutthis,todayI will have toserve youwith
three platesof strategies-allsourcedfromthe Chief Cooksinthe SecurityindustrythatI have interacted
with.
In an industrythateverythingseemstobe controlledfromacertainepitome,where tosurviveyoumust
be fit, personal relations go along way in ensuring that you are either part of the movement or out of
the movement. The world is a circle, it goes around and so should you. Security industry operates in
such a manner that personal relations and networking are basic components of survival. For a field
officerdiggingforsome Intel,he orshe mustknow somebodywho knows somebody, those looking for
careerdevelopmenthave toknowsomebodywhohasinformationonwhoisemploying.Itisanindustry
that has the same faces over time, you have to be smart in order for you to sit with the big guys and
learn from them. To accomplish your mission, you must complete the following three crucial
formations/strategies; Network, get experience and be a leader.
Networking
The purpose of professional networking is to gain information, be conspicuous in your field, and
establish personal connections that will help you advance in your career. People do business with
people they know, like and trust. Companies don’t make decisions, people do. Your professional
network can open doors for you that otherwise could not be opened. For better or for worse, it’s not
just what you know or are capable of doing; it’s who you know, that’s important for career
advancementandbusinessdevelopment.Youcanalsolearna tremendousamountfrom people in your
networkwhohave experienceandexpertise inthe subjectof yourinterest.Igotmy SecurityOperations
Internpositionthroughnetworking.Afterjoining the dots introduced to me, I finally landed my way to
the MD of Reliance SecuritySentry-aprivate securitycompany.Thoughtheydidn’t have an opportunity
for me then,I hadestablished contact that immediately I completed my degree, I had a door to knock.
My Manager puts it clear every day, ‘work for tomorrow.” The interactions you make today may just
come to fruition tomorrow. Your connections can market you if well utilized and can help you build a
perfect profile for the next opportunity. Connections open doors, but relationships close deals.

2. Experience
Many graduates live in the fallacy that they have the papers to push them ahead. I remember when I
was enteringthe Unemployedcocoon;Ialways thought that I was the best because I had my First Class
honordegree in Criminology and Security studies but Alas! In this field of security, one needs to learn
the basicsbefore anyotherthing.Havingacademicqualificationwithoutexperience atall islike havinga
broken Titanic ship, no matter the size, it is broken! As a young graduate you need to fix the broken
pieces, grasp that unpaid internship, take that opportunity with a low pay even though you know you
deserve better.Experience willpush you to where you want to be, it will place you in a position to talk
to that boardthat you have alwayswanted.Iagreedtostart small.Inany organization,the core security
functions are performed by the subordinate or junior level staff; if you are to be the boss or sit on the
pinnacle of authoritythenyoumustknow exactly what happens at the base. Grasp the basics and then
you will be good to go. What you are able to do sounds more alluring than what you will do!
Leadership
Leadership can be hard to define and it means different things to different people. In the
transformational leadership model, first proposed by James MacGregor Burns and then developed by
BernardBass. Thismodel highlightsvisionarythinking and bringing about change; leaders set direction
and help themselves and others to do the right thing to move forward. To do this they create an
inspiringvision,andthenmotivateandinspire otherstoreachthatvision.They also manage delivery of
the vision, either directly or indirectly, and build and coach their teams to make them ever stronger.
You must be able to discover your potential; in your own world have a sense of directions. Achievers
motivate themselves, set goals and work for the achievement of the objectives. Through your
connections, have a mentor or someone experienced to show you how things are done and then take
steps to personalize the experience. Train yourself to be a leader who listens and appreciates
challenges. In the industry you might meet those who are less qualified academically but who are in
positions of influence and authority, learn what makes them suited to sit there. Never start a war on
whois better,avoidqualification confrontations, and be helpful so that they will discover your worth.
Inspire yourselfandthe teamto accomplishtasksevenwhenit’s not your responsibility, with that, you
set your standards above the ratings.
To conclude, I can confirm that I am not yet to where I want to be, however, I am ready to learn from
the masters, this is not all but it is a complete recipe for you to kick start your career. To my fellow
professional, let’s nurture the talents outside there and improve our industry that is so wanting.
Thank You for reading this Article.
Dominic Ogutu is a Security Professional with A First Class Honor in Criminology and Security Studies,
Security Management major. He is a Security Risk In Charge at Kenya Breweries Limited working with
Corporate Risk ManagementServices Limited. You can contact him for any matter concerning Security
Operations, Standard Operating Procedure development, Control room operations, Radio
communications, Report writing, Security surveys and audits, CCTV control and Background checks.
You can check the LinkedIn profile for contact details.