September 11, 2001. Who can forget the day that forever scarred our nation's psyche and changed the way we view personal and collective security? The pictures of the World Trade Center collapsing, the Pentagon attacked, the downed airplane in Pennsylvania, mass hysteria in lower Manhattan, and the frantic efforts of rescue workers to save whatever lives they could are indelibly etched in our collective memory.

America will never be the same after 9/11. Politically, economically and psychologically, our nation has crossed a threshold from which it cannot turn back. Our top national priority is now the concern to strengthen and maintain homeland security.

Defining "Homeland Security"

President George Bush has clearly defined the importance of homeland security in his report to Congress entitled "Securing the Homeland; Strengthening the Nation." It begins with these remarks:

"Our Nation learned a painful lesson on September 11. American soil is not immune to evil or cold-blooded enemies capable of unprecedented acts of mass murder and terror. …A new wave of terrorism, involving new weapons, looms in America's future. It is a challenge unlike any ever faced by our Nation. But we are not daunted. We possess the resources and the determination to defeat our enemies and work to secure our homeland against the threats they pose."

The report (at www.whitehouse.gov/homeland/homeland_security_book.html) spells out the importance of ensuring the safety of our citizens as they work and travel, the preservation of our critical infrastructure, and the readiness of health care responders to handle any terror-related emergency or crisis that might arise. Using 21st century technology to make our borders safer, to prevent cyber-terrorist attacks, and prepare for possible biochemical assault is the chief objective of securing the homeland and fighting the new global war or terrorism.

Throughout the report, the President expresses confidence in the resolve of the American people to do whatever it takes, individually and collectively, to strengthen homeland security. He refers to this as a "new national calling."

The content and tone of the report are intended to steel the will of the American people in waging a war unlike any other our nation has undertaken. It is an ongoing war that has geopolitical consequences that few people outside the intelligence community could have fathomed before 9/11.

The Larger Picture

Threats of further attacks by Al-Queda and other radical Islamists are constantly in the news. Here is a sampling of news articles published this past summer:

• "Saddam's War Plan Includes Bioweapons to Make U.S. a ‘Living Hell'" (Newsmax.com)
• "Thousands in U.S. Aid al-Queda" (Christian Science Monitor)
• "Experts Urge Mass Vaccination for Smallpox Attack" (Reuters)
• "25,000 Gas Masks Ordered for Capitol" (Associated Press)
• "U.N. Says Materials for Dirty Bomb Easy to Find" (Reuters)
• "Terrorists ‘Spread All Over Europe'" (USA Today)
• "FEMA Preparing for Mass Destruction Attacks on Cities" (Newsmax.com)
• "Preparation for Jihad…in Alabama" (ABCNews.com)
• "Terror Suspects Had Plans to Poison Water" (Foxnews.com)
• "Al Qaeda Forming New Cells Worldwide" (CNN).

Regardless of personal political leanings, discerning readers can clearly comprehend that we are witnessing Act One of a long and intense geopolitical drama called "The War on Terrorism."

As horrible as the events of September 11 were, our nation faces even greater threats as we move into the next phase of the global war on terrorism.

At this writing, the United States and British-led coalition is fully engaged in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Despite fierce battles, our troops have demonstrated firm determination to accomplish the mission's objective: disarming and defeating the regime of Saddam Hussein.

Certainly this is positive news. However, there may be consequences that have a direct impact on the security of our citizens. There is some serious speculation that the coalition's pre-emptive actions will so "inflame the Arab street" that other Arab nations will be drawn into the conflict. Worse yet, there is concern that terrorist acts might target American citizens and interests abroad or on our own soil, through such means as the release of biochemical agents. The likelihood of that is uncertain, but anything is possible in the heat of warfare.

Without belaboring the point, it is obvious that we are living in very uncertain times. As our President has stressed repeatedly, in a manner of speaking, we are all soldiers in the war. The outcome will be determined by the level of our courage and commitment demonstrated in facing an unrelenting enemy of liberty and our way of life.

Homeland Security Careers

On November 25, 2002, President Bush signed into law the creation of the newest federal Cabinet department, the Department of Homeland Security. The department brings together 22 government agencies, employing over 170, 000 workers, with a combined budget of over $40 billion. This legislative initiative represents the largest reorganization of the federal government since the creation of the Department of Defense in 1947.

Although this new Cabinet office is in its formative stages, existing agencies offer employment that can broadly be construed as "careers in homeland security." For purposes of this discussion, homeland security jobs are entry-level positions with numerous federal and state agencies responsible for the health and safety of our citizens, and the defense and security of our nation.

College students should see this as good news. It's painfully obvious that jobs on Wall Street, in the telecommunications and dot-com industries, and in staid professions like public accounting are on wobbly ground. By contrast, jobs in homeland security are plentiful, pay well, and offer something that many corporations in today's business climate cannot offer security.

Specific Opportunities

Where are these jobs? What do they pay? How can students investigate what opportunities are available?

For starters, check out opportunities listed under "Homeland Readiness and Security" at www.usajobs.opm.gov/homeland.htm. Position openings are provided for a wide array of government agencies. Space permits only brief discussion of opportunities with a few government agencies.

The Transportation Security Administration. The TSA has begun to hire 72,000 Transportation Security Screeners to work at airports throughout the nation. The base salary range is $31,000 to $46,700, plus locality pay. Although a college degree is not required, having a degree should help applicants to move up within the agency to supervisory positions once they prove their abilities. For more information, visit the TSA site: http://www.tsa.dot.gov/public/index.jsp. Information on the site also discusses summer employment opportunities for graduate students and Ph.D. candidates.

Bureau of Diplomatic Security. Opportunities exist worldwide for "Special Agents" who work as highly trained Federal law enforcement professionals. A college degree is required, along with willingness to travel extensively. Starting salaries range from $32,590 to $45,112, depending upon qualifications, experience and assignment location. Automatic pay increases occur during the first three years on the job; thereafter, promotions are competitively determined. To learn more about this opportunity, go to the Bureau's website: http://ds.state.gov/career/sa.html.

National Institutes of Health. The NIH offers a wide array of career opportunities for those trained in the sciences as well as other academic fields. Ambitious college graduates can explore employment options in a number of different areas: Administration and Management, Information Technology, Biomedical Research Support, and Patient Care. Information on student internships also appears on their site: www.jobs.nih.gov/Programclosed.htm. Starting compensation and advancement potential vary by academic discipline and job category.

National Security Agency. The NSA offers numerous career paths for talented students, beginning with the "Gifted and Talented Program" for high school students, along with the cooperative education and summer programs for college students. Well-prepared college graduates can explore career opportunities in areas such as Computer Science / Electrical Engineering, Foreign Language, Intelligence Analysis, Mathematics, and Cryptanalysis. For details on the summer and cooperative programs, along with other helpful information, visit this website: www.nsa.gov/programs/employ/homepage.html.

U.S. Department of the Treasury. The U.S. Secret Service is a key agency under this Department. As the nation's premier law enforcement organization, the Secret Service operates 125 offices worldwide. Its mission is to protect our nation's top Executive Branch leaders (and their families), presidential candidates, and visiting world leaders, among others. A second major responsibility is to investigate crimes that involve counterfeit currency, identity fraud, computer hacking, theft and fraud related to electronic funds transfer, and so on. At the U.S. Secret Service website, you can find information concerning upcoming job fairs: www.treas.gov/usss/opportunities_fairs.shtml.

The U.S. Customs Service, another agency under Treasury, decides what enters our country by air, sea or land border crossing. A major goal of this agency is to halt the flow of illegal drugs into the United States, something that terrorists use to finance their operations.

"Although Customs has a wide range of professional opportunities, the primary frontline occupations involved in homeland security are Customs Inspectors and Criminal Investigators (Special Agents)," mentions Alfred A. Holston, Deputy Assistant Commissioner for Human Resources Management for U.S. Customs.

As the war on terrorism extends and the security of our borders becomes more critical, the employment needs of Customs will intensify. Holston explains, "By the end of the fiscal year 2002, Customs will have hired 1,600 Customs Inspectors and 731 Criminal Investigators. In fiscal year 2003, we anticipate hiring 1,300 Customs Inspectors and 500 Criminal Investigators. Therefore, there is ample opportunity for minority college graduates to apply for key entry-level positions with the U.S. Customs Service."

Applicants for Customs Inspector or Criminal Investigator must be U.S. citizens. If they apply for GS-5 positions, college graduates must be within nine months of receiving their bachelor's degree.

Persons applying for a GS-7 Customs Inspector job must have at least one year of specialized import / export or compliance / regulatory experience; or one year of graduate-level education; or a combination of experience and education.

Base salaries range from at least $24,701 (GS-5) to at least $30, 597 (GS-7). There is the potential to earn an additional $30,000 yearly in paid overtime. Promotion potential can lead to a GS-11 salary of at least $45,285.

Criminal Investigators at the GS-5 level earn $38,057 and upwards, depending on duty location. This salary includes an additional 25 percent for Law Enforcement Availability (LEAP). Those who qualify for a GS-7 position (with one year of specialized experience or one year of graduate-level education) can expect to earn at least $43,318. Criminal Investigators are eligible for promotion to the GS-13 level, which pays at least $80,623.

The U.S. Customs Department has a formal recruitment program targeting minorities and females. Holston adds, "Recruitment activities are held at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and organizations such as the National Association of Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO), the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice (NABCJ), and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE)."

In addition, U.S. Customs has placed interactive, multi-media recruitment kiosks at nine Historically Black Colleges and Universities. For more information about careers with the U.S. Customs, check out www.customs.gov/career/career.htm.

Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA is organized to help people before, during and after disasters. These include disasters and emergencies related to weather: severe flooding, tropical storms, wildfires, tornadoes, and ice storms. In addition, the agency is prepared for hazardous materials (HazMat) emergency response and participates in interagency domestic terrorist planning. Students interested in job opportunities are encouraged to visit the FEMA website: http://www.fema.gov/career/index.jsp.

One interesting opportunity discussed is "Civil Rights Specialist." The job description states: "Gather, analyze, and evaluate documents for the purpose of processing Civil Rights complaints filed by applicants for disaster assistance under FEMA's disaster assistance program. " This is quite an interesting job that African-American graduates (with appropriate experience) can aspire to attain!

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If our country is attacked with nuclear or biochemical weapons, professionals at the CDC will be among the first responders to the crisis. You will recall, the CDC was at the forefront of tracking down the sources of the anthrax cases right after September 11.

Headquartered in Atlanta, the CDC is known worldwide for its accomplishments in scientific research and public health awareness. It plays a pivotal role in the fight against disease, injury and disability. The agency has ten other offices around the country (including Anchorage, Alaska and San Juan, Puerto Rico) and works with local health departments in all fifty states.

Toby Burt, CDC's College Relations Coordinator, comments: "We have over 8,500 employees in more than 170 occupational fields. They bring energy, creativity, dedication, and hard work to the public health challenges of the nation and the world. CDC's greatest strength is its people. We are always looking to bring new talent into the workplace."

Although many CDC employees have advanced degrees such as M.D., Ph.D. or Master of Public Health, there are opportunities for academically gifted recent college graduates.
One such entry-level position is "Biological Laboratory Science Technician." This is a GS-5 grade level position for candidates with a bachelor's degree in the biological sciences. Candidates interested in an entry-level administration position might apply for "Office Automation Assistant," another GS-5 grade level.

In the Atlanta area, GS-5 level positions pay $24,952. Sometimes there are jobs available at the GS-7 level for graduates who demonstrate outstanding scholastic achievement. These positions pay $30,907. Students who visit www.cdc.gov/hrmo/intern.htm can learn about internship opportunities at the CDC.

"CDC has a variety of student training and internship programs. These programs serve as a valuable tool to expose students to challenging work experiences and encourage them to explore career opportunities in public health," mentions Burt, who manages some of the student employment programs. "Many of these programs are for targeted minority groups," he adds.

The CDC also sponsors the Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID) Laboratory Fellowship program to prepare laboratory scientists for careers in public health. Applicants who have completed a bachelor's or master's degree, and/or an accredited medical technologist program, are eligible to apply for the fellowship. The annual stipends range from $20,292 (bachelor's) to $21,420 (master's) and include funds for travel to professional or scientific meetings. More information is provided at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eidlfp.htm.

"In addition to attractive salary, federal employees enjoy an excellent benefits package that includes health and life insurance, a thrift savings plan, a superior retirement plan, plus ten paid holidays and accrued annual and sick leave each year," Holston explains.

In addition to federal government opportunities, college graduates are advised to investigate employment options with state homeland security agencies. As of this writing, there are 29 such agencies listed on the website of the National Governors Association: www.nga.org.

Additionally, it is beneficial to visit www.govexec.com/jobs to get a feel for more advanced government jobs, including those in homeland security. This colorful site also offers career resources, special reports and interesting news items—such as an article that appeared entitled "White House taps techies for key jobs."

Students who seriously contemplate a career in homeland security should also think about obtaining professional certification. The National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE) offers certification programs to persons employed in homeland security and public safety. Examples: Certified Public Safety Technician and Certified Public Safety Specialist. (For more information, see www.nahighered.org/homeland.htm,) As in other fields, being certified increases one's employment options and overall earning potential.

Conclusion

Clearly, job opportunities related to homeland security are numerous and growing. African-American students who heretofore shunned the thought of public service are advised to seriously consider what homeland security careers offer: good earnings and a future. Not only can you launch a career that is not governed by the whims of Wall Street; you can perform a vital service that helps to ensure the security of our nation and the safety of your colleagues, friends, family and yourself. Think about it.

Calvin Bruce is a frequent contributor to THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Magazine. He has done extensive research on our nation's response to 9/11 and has written articles such as "Healthcare Delivery in Times of Crisis" published in Healthcare Review, January 2002.