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High School

What high school courses should you take if you're interested in this career? Get your answers from the Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security cluster Security and Protective Services pathway.

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Many loss prevention managers and consultants have professional designations, such as CPP (certified protection professional). A CPP designation is conferred by the American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS).

Before training and testing for a designation, a person must have several years of experience. Paul Lynn says half the people he knows in the field have a CPP designation, which can help your career because "any education is valuable."

Greg Hurd is the chair of a chapter of ASIS. Hurd, who has a CPP designation, says it helps you earn respect in the industry. "There is a credibility factor that comes into play. It is a very strenuous process that you go through."

Loss prevention managers often get promoted through the ranks of a retail outlet, starting out with just a high school diploma. However, to get promoted, further education in management and security is required.

Veitch started out as a floorwalker. She took security manager courses for two and a half years, earning a certificate. Her employer subsidized the cost. Veitch has also taken courses in covert camera installation and interviewing techniques.

"If you're wanting to aspire to the professional ranks, then I think you need a college degree or some strong technical background in electronics and security systems," says Pat Robertson. Robertson is a director of loss prevention.

"This business now is understanding a corporate spreadsheet and everything you talk about has to be a value-added benefit -- watching the bottom line. Managers today are not so much security-oriented. It's very important to have a very strong business background."

Contact

  • Email Support
  • 1-800-GO-TO-XAP (1-800-468-6927)
    From outside the U.S., please call +1 (424) 750-3900
  • North Dakota Career Resource Network
    ndcrn@nd.gov | (701) 328-9733

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