Security Guard-AS friendly

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Hello,

I'm a 22 year old male with AS, and I've been working as a security guard for a few months now, and I must say, I lucked into the perfect job for me. I work at a film studio as a security guard, mostly during night shifts with the occasional daytime shift. We're allowed to bring electronics, and aren't really required to stand unless the main production heads are here. I'm happy because I've tried a few other jobs in the past and those failed miserably. In security, though, you'd have to be dead not to do well!

Which is why I think security is quite friendly to people on the spectrum, depending on the site. Even at busier sites, there's always graveyard shifts. You get to work alone and essentially people watch, since your job is basically to observe an report any suspicious activity, which your presence deters. It's low-stress, you get to people watch and learn people skills that way, and you bring home an honest paycheck.

Sure, it isn't as glamorous or well-paying as being a cop, but given the large percentage of us is unemployed, any job is better than no job. Plus, when you factor in all the time saved in recreational activity you can get done on a slow shift, like say, reading, blogging, hobbies, etc your time spent on duty is even more valuable.

Just wanted to put my two cents out there as a job tip for anyone looking for work. It's quite easy to get a guard card, the requirements for which depends on where you're located, but there are always events and full-time work popping up on craigslist, which is how I got started in this field. They usually don't even have to interview you, which is another plus.

Basically, you can't go wrong with security! Can't say I'll be doing this forever, but for the time being it's definitely where I'm meant to be.

I would say I sizeable chunk of security guards are either students or seniors and Aspie like and as a result I get along great with them. Where I live we have a sky high shoplifting rate so almost every store has one and I am usually friendly towards them and they are with me. Other than that they are just there for visual deterrence so it is not hard or dangerous work.

Thanks for the post, I find it very informative. I will give it a try. I'll post on this thread if I get the job or not.

Sorry to resurrect the thread, but I've had this experience as well. No job since the Navy for about three years and an attempt at university, and then I just sort of felt drawn to medical security. It's ethically uncomplicated, most of why you're necessary is the protection of doctors, nurses, and medics from folks out of their gourd with pain, dementia, or intoxicants, so a strong yet gentle touch is needed, and if you can avert confrontation, all the better. Managed to find a good, solid schedule at a one-man post (in that I'm the only guard) after a misguided and painful period in the flex pool (read: was almost fired for oversleeping and frequently forgetting what day of the week it was). It's a bit like all of what was good about the Navy without all the dumb-assed macho posturing (which was sometimes amusing, but for me an obligate spectator sport). The medical staff seem to genuinely like me too, and I imagine the reasons for this would extend to most Aspies. I've always got an eye on the cameras and an ear out for any breaks in the usual chatter or tone, so they rarely have to call me if something starts going sideways. I *do* have to function as a receptionist/concierge due to the layout of the ER and the priority placed on minimizing risk to medical staff after that jerk shot up that theater, but it isn't overwhelming in this case. I think it's a good way to practice easily-atrophied social skills in a low-risk setting while getting paid a decent though by no means spectacular wage. About the worst thing about it would be that you risk becoming comfortable, and that sometimes you're exposed to gore and some genuinely unsavory people, and there's always the chance of injury, so mindfulness is key.

I'm trying to get into it. I have all the paper work but just lack experience which is what is hurting me. can't read books, or look at your phone while on shift at most places here. just stand or walk around. it sounds nice to me, get to socialize and exercise but might be hard with my adhd when not doing anything. I also hope to not have contact much or have to write too many reports.

I did security work...largely hated it. Too boring with nothing to do. I suppose if you were allowed to sit in a shack and read or play games it wouldn't be so bad, but in a sense, why bother hiring you if that's all you do? Of course, I knew places where my job was to sit there and then walk a route once an hour or so. Any thief could have an eternity to pull a job while I was doing my required wait period at the guard shack.

I think it depends on what job you're working. I hated the security job I had - improper training, too much driving in the city and getting lost, too tight a schedule so I was rushed and running around feeling ridiculous. I wouldn't like to work loss prevention either. But I'll give customs security at the airport a go, at least that has a purpose, unlike so much of security, which is completely pointless.