{"id":2751,"date":"2025-11-24T10:11:48","date_gmt":"2025-11-24T02:11:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aiwiselnk.com\/?p=2751"},"modified":"2025-11-24T10:36:15","modified_gmt":"2025-11-24T02:36:15","slug":"startup-commentarywhy-are-more-and-more-young-people-choosing-to-be-security-guards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aiwiselnk.com\/index.php\/2025\/11\/24\/startup-commentarywhy-are-more-and-more-young-people-choosing-to-be-security-guards\/","title":{"rendered":"Startup Commentary”Why are more and more young people choosing to be security guards?”"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Positive Comments: The Rational Return of Career Choice and the Upgrade of Social Functions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In recent years, the security industry has shown a \u201cyouthful\u201d trend\u2014more 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First of all, the \u201clow threshold and high cost – performance\u201d of the security profession provides a flexible employment buffer for young people. In traditional concepts, security guards are often labeled as \u201clow – tech and low – value.\u201d 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 \u201cinvolution\u201d such as KPI assessment and 996 overtime. This \u201clight – load\u201d work model allows young people to ensure basic income while reserving more time and energy for personal development\u2014whether 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 \u201ccounter – attacks\u201d through on – the – job learning, which is a typical manifestation of the value of this \u201ccareer springboard.\u201d For many ordinary young people, the security position is no longer the \u201cend point\u201d but a \u201ctransit station,\u201d providing them with a low – cost \u201ctrial – and – error space\u201d and a \u201cgrowth buffer period.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Secondly, the social functions of the security industry have extended from \u201cbasic public security\u201d to \u201cpsychological security and identity symbol,\u201d promoting the reconstruction of professional value. As the news points out, with the decline in the urban crime rate, the \u201canti – theft\u201d function of security guards has weakened, but their \u201cpsychological comfort\u201d and \u201cidentity marking\u201d 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 \u201ctemperament of the real estate,\u201d 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\u2014from simple \u201cgatekeepers\u201d to \u201csecurity butlers,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, young people’s choice of the security profession reflects the progress of contemporary workplace concepts\u2014from \u201cpursuing glamour\u201d to \u201cvaluing experience.\u201d In the past, young people were more inclined to choose occupations with \u201chigh education thresholds\u201d and \u201chigh social evaluation,\u201d 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 \u201cface.\u201d The \u201clow – pressure and high – freedom\u201d nature of the security position just meets this need. As a young person in the news said, \u201cI don’t want to sacrifice the time to have a meal with my family for a few thousand more yuan.\u201d This choice is not \u201clying flat\u201d but a rational calculation of \u201ccost – performance.\u201d It is the re – sorting of \u201cself – needs\u201d by individuals in a complex social environment, reflecting a more mature career outlook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Negative Comments: Hidden Worries in Career Development and Deviation in Risk Perception<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although young people’s choice of the security profession is reasonable, there are also issues worthy of vigilance behind this trend\u2014there are multiple hidden worries from individual career development to the industry ecosystem and social perception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First of all, the \u201cceiling\u201d of career development may limit the long – term growth of young people. Although the \u201clow threshold\u201d of security positions provides employment opportunities, it also means \u201clow accumulation\u201d 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 \u201cstagnation\u201d of skills and even form a \u201cpath dependence.\u201d For example, if young people only regard security as a \u201ctransition\u201d but give up learning because they are used to \u201clow – pressure,\u201d they may eventually fall into a dilemma of \u201cwanting to leave but unable to.\u201d Although the so – called \u201cpaid gap year\u201d mentioned in the news sounds good, in reality, only a few can persist in learning and achieve a successful \u201ccounter – attack\u201d like the Peking University security guards. More young people may waste their time during the \u201cfree time\u201d due to the lack of clear goals or self – discipline, and finally lose their professional competitiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 \u201cstepping forward,\u201d 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 \u201cmismatch between risks and benefits\u201d? If young people only see the \u201ctime freedom\u201d 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, the \u201cinstrumental\u201d 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 \u201ctemperament of the real estate\u201d and regarded by property owners as an \u201cidentity symbol.\u201d Although this \u201csymbolic\u201d positioning enhances the economic value of the industry, it may ignore the subjectivity of security guards as \u201cservice providers.\u201d For example, some communities require security guards to \u201cmeet the appearance standard\u201d and provide \u201csmiling service,\u201d which in essence treats them as \u201cpart of the landscape\u201d rather than individuals with professional dignity. This cognitive deviation may lead to a decrease in the self – identity of security practitioners\u2014they may suffer from career burnout due to being \u201cobjectified\u201d and even fall into a negative mindset of \u201cI’m just a \u2018gatekeeper.\u2019\u201d If the industry only pursues \u201cimage projects\u201d while ignoring the cultivation of practitioners’ professional abilities and professional dignity, the long – term development of the security profession will face the risk of \u201chollowness.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suggestions for Entrepreneurs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Tap the \u201ccareer transition\u201d needs and provide enabling services<\/strong>: In response to the needs of young people to use security as a \u201ccareer springboard,\u201d entrepreneurs can develop \u201con – the – job learning support\u201d services. For example, cooperate with security companies to set up \u201cmobile self – study corners\u201d in control rooms and guard booths, providing free Wi – Fi, learning materials, or online courses; or launch a \u201cspecial exam – preparation community for security guards,\u201d integrating resources for civil service exams, postgraduate entrance exams, and skill training to help young people make more efficient use of their \u201cfree time.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n

  2. Promote the professional upgrading of the security industry and enhance professional value<\/strong>: In response to the trend of the security industry’s transformation from \u201cbasic public security\u201d to \u201ccomprehensive services,\u201d 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 \u201cskilled security guards\u201d with security companies to increase practitioners’ income and professional identity; or launch a \u201csecurity career development platform\u201d to provide practitioners with services such as skill certification, job promotion, and cross – industry transformation, breaking the career \u201cceiling.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n

  3. Pay attention to professional risk protection and build a safe ecosystem<\/strong>: In response to the high risks of security work, entrepreneurs can explore \u201coccupational safety services.\u201d For example, cooperate with insurance companies to design \u201cspecial accident insurance for security guards,\u201d covering personal injuries in scenarios such as rescue and riot control; or develop \u201cintelligent security equipment\u201d (such as locatable anti – riot equipment and emergency call systems) to reduce the safety risks of practitioners; in addition, establish a \u201csecurity rights protection platform\u201d to help practitioners solve problems such as labor contract disputes and work – related injury compensation, enhancing professional security.<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n

  4. Reshape the professional image and convey positive values<\/strong>: In response to the \u201cinstrumental\u201d 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 \u201csecurity guard stories\u201d to record the contributions of practitioners in rescue and protection scenarios; or jointly organize a \u201csecurity culture festival\u201d with communities to commend outstanding practitioners and enhance their social recognition; in addition, promote the \u201csecurity + community service\u201d model, such as allowing security guards to participate in community mediation and elderly care, strengthening their role as \u201ccommunity guardians\u201d rather than just \u201cgatekeepers.\u201d<\/p><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    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 \u201crespecting individual needs\u201d but also exposes hidden worries in career development and risk protection. For entrepreneurs, the key is to seize the \u201cpain points of demand\u201d\u2014whether it is the \u201ctransitional growth\u201d needs of young people or the \u201cprofessional upgrading\u201d 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 \u201cchoice with dignity\u201d rather than a \u201chelpless compromise.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n