Positive Comments: The Rational Return of Career Choice and the Upgrade of Social Functions
In recent years, the security industry has shown a “youthful” trend—more than 60% of practitioners are under 30 years old, and the number of security guards nationwide has increased from 4 million in 2006 to 6.76 million in 2023. This phenomenon is not accidental. It is a rational choice of young people in a complex employment environment and also reflects a profound transformation of the social functions of the security industry.
First of all, the “low threshold and high cost – performance” of the security profession provides a flexible employment buffer for young people. In traditional concepts, security guards are often labeled as “low – tech and low – value.” However, for today’s young people, this is precisely its attractiveness. As mentioned in the news, security positions do not require high education or special skills. The work content is relatively simple, and there is no pressure of workplace “involution” such as KPI assessment and 996 overtime. This “light – load” work model allows young people to ensure basic income while reserving more time and energy for personal development—whether it is preparing for the civil service exam, postgraduate entrance exam, learning skills, or exploring interests. For example, more than 500 members of the Peking University security guard group achieved “counter – attacks” through on – the – job learning, which is a typical manifestation of the value of this “career springboard.” For many ordinary young people, the security position is no longer the “end point” but a “transit station,” providing them with a low – cost “trial – and – error space” and a “growth buffer period.”
Secondly, the social functions of the security industry have extended from “basic public security” to “psychological security and identity symbol,” promoting the reconstruction of professional value. As the news points out, with the decline in the urban crime rate, the “anti – theft” function of security guards has weakened, but their “psychological comfort” and “identity marking” roles have become more prominent. For example, the age, image, and service attitude of community security guards are regarded by developers as part of the “temperament of the real estate,” becoming an important symbol for the middle class to distinguish the quality of living. This transformation not only enhances the social visibility of the security profession but also promotes the professional upgrading of the industry—from simple “gatekeepers” to “security butlers,” from basic patrols to technical positions such as fire control and risk assessment. The professional boundaries of security guards are expanding, and their professional value is being redefined. This provides young people with a richer career development path. For example, security guards with fire – fighting skills and English communication abilities can earn 7,000 – 12,000 yuan, far exceeding the level of traditional positions, which further attracts young people with special skills to join.
Finally, young people’s choice of the security profession reflects the progress of contemporary workplace concepts—from “pursuing glamour” to “valuing experience.” In the past, young people were more inclined to choose occupations with “high education thresholds” and “high social evaluation,” even if they faced high – intensity work or career burnout. Now, more and more young people are beginning to pay attention to the balance between work and life and refuse to sacrifice their health or interests for “face.” The “low – pressure and high – freedom” nature of the security position just meets this need. As a young person in the news said, “I don’t want to sacrifice the time to have a meal with my family for a few thousand more yuan.” This choice is not “lying flat” but a rational calculation of “cost – performance.” It is the re – sorting of “self – needs” by individuals in a complex social environment, reflecting a more mature career outlook.
Negative Comments: Hidden Worries in Career Development and Deviation in Risk Perception
Although young people’s choice of the security profession is reasonable, there are also issues worthy of vigilance behind this trend—there are multiple hidden worries from individual career development to the industry ecosystem and social perception.
First of all, the “ceiling” of career development may limit the long – term growth of young people. Although the “low threshold” of security positions provides employment opportunities, it also means “low accumulation” of professional skills. Most basic security positions (such as community gatekeepers and mall patrols) have limited requirements for professional abilities. Long – term engagement in such work may lead to a “stagnation” of skills and even form a “path dependence.” For example, if young people only regard security as a “transition” but give up learning because they are used to “low – pressure,” they may eventually fall into a dilemma of “wanting to leave but unable to.” Although the so – called “paid gap year” mentioned in the news sounds good, in reality, only a few can persist in learning and achieve a successful “counter – attack” like the Peking University security guards. More young people may waste their time during the “free time” due to the lack of clear goals or self – discipline, and finally lose their professional competitiveness.
Secondly, the potential risks of security work are underestimated, and professional protection still needs to be improved. As the news mentions, security guards need to undertake the mission of “stepping forward,” such as rescue and riot control, which may bring personal injury or even life – threatening. For example, 64 – year – old security guard Zhang Junxing sacrificed his life while saving a drowning child, and Hunan security guard Xiong Henglu was injured and sacrificed while fighting with gangsters. These cases highlight the high risks of the security profession. However, in reality, is the professional protection of security guards (such as work – related injury insurance and professional injury compensation) in place? Do some small security companies or outsourced positions have the problem of “mismatch between risks and benefits”? If young people only see the “time freedom” but ignore the objective existence of professional risks, they may be in a passive position when facing emergencies. In addition, problems such as high mobility in the security industry and non – standard labor contracts may also damage the rights and interests of practitioners, which requires more social attention.
Finally, the “instrumental” perception of the security profession in society has not been fundamentally changed, which may intensify the hollowness of professional value. As the news mentions, security guards are used by developers as a label for the “temperament of the real estate” and regarded by property owners as an “identity symbol.” Although this “symbolic” positioning enhances the economic value of the industry, it may ignore the subjectivity of security guards as “service providers.” For example, some communities require security guards to “meet the appearance standard” and provide “smiling service,” which in essence treats them as “part of the landscape” rather than individuals with professional dignity. This cognitive deviation may lead to a decrease in the self – identity of security practitioners—they may suffer from career burnout due to being “objectified” and even fall into a negative mindset of “I’m just a ‘gatekeeper.’” If the industry only pursues “image projects” while ignoring the cultivation of practitioners’ professional abilities and professional dignity, the long – term development of the security profession will face the risk of “hollowness.”
Suggestions for Entrepreneurs
The trend of young people choosing the security profession not only reflects the structural changes in the employment market but also provides new business insights for entrepreneurs. Based on the news content, the following suggestions are for reference:
Tap the “career transition” needs and provide enabling services: In response to the needs of young people to use security as a “career springboard,” entrepreneurs can develop “on – the – job learning support” services. For example, cooperate with security companies to set up “mobile self – study corners” in control rooms and guard booths, providing free Wi – Fi, learning materials, or online courses; or launch a “special exam – preparation community for security guards,” integrating resources for civil service exams, postgraduate entrance exams, and skill training to help young people make more efficient use of their “free time.”
Promote the professional upgrading of the security industry and enhance professional value: In response to the trend of the security industry’s transformation from “basic public security” to “comprehensive services,” entrepreneurs can focus on the training and output of technical security positions. For example, develop special skill training courses for fire control, safety risk assessment, and foreign – related security (such as English communication), and jointly deliver “skilled security guards” with security companies to increase practitioners’ income and professional identity; or launch a “security career development platform” to provide practitioners with services such as skill certification, job promotion, and cross – industry transformation, breaking the career “ceiling.”
Pay attention to professional risk protection and build a safe ecosystem: In response to the high risks of security work, entrepreneurs can explore “occupational safety services.” For example, cooperate with insurance companies to design “special accident insurance for security guards,” covering personal injuries in scenarios such as rescue and riot control; or develop “intelligent security equipment” (such as locatable anti – riot equipment and emergency call systems) to reduce the safety risks of practitioners; in addition, establish a “security rights protection platform” to help practitioners solve problems such as labor contract disputes and work – related injury compensation, enhancing professional security.
Reshape the professional image and convey positive values: In response to the “instrumental” perception of security guards in society, entrepreneurs can convey the professional value of security guards through content marketing or public welfare projects. For example, shoot a documentary about “security guard stories” to record the contributions of practitioners in rescue and protection scenarios; or jointly organize a “security culture festival” with communities to commend outstanding practitioners and enhance their social recognition; in addition, promote the “security + community service” model, such as allowing security guards to participate in community mediation and elderly care, strengthening their role as “community guardians” rather than just “gatekeepers.”
Conclusion
Young people’s choice to become security guards is both a rational choice of individuals under employment pressure and a microcosm of the diversification of the social occupational ecosystem. This trend not only sends a positive signal of “respecting individual needs” but also exposes hidden worries in career development and risk protection. For entrepreneurs, the key is to seize the “pain points of demand”—whether it is the “transitional growth” needs of young people or the “professional upgrading” needs of the industry, there are innovative opportunities. Only by taking into account both individual value and social value can the security profession truly become a “choice with dignity” rather than a “helpless compromise.”
- Startup Commentary”Why Do Leading Beverage Brands Flock to Discount Stores Despite Selling Only a Few Dollars Cheaper Than Convenience Stores?”
- Startup Commentary”Distributors to Face a Major Shake-up in the Next Five Years”
- Startup Commentary”Is There a “Mass Exodus” of Internet Celebrities in Hangzhou? It’s Not That Scary!”
- Startup Commentary”In the Anti – social Media Era, Young People Rebuilding Relationships at “Mystery Dinner Parties” | Early – stage Projects”
- Startup Commentary”Industry Research Report on Multi-scenario Karaoke Systems”
