The PSA Network partnered with Community College of Denver (CCD) to introduce students to career opportunities in the security industry through two campus events aimed at connecting emerging talent with industry professionals and addressing workforce shortages.

Held Oct. 15 and 20, the events, titled Industry Exploration: Navigating the Security Industry with PSA Security, brought together 66 students and security professionals to discuss career pathways, networking and the role of security technology in protecting people and facilities. The sessions targeted students studying engineering, public safety, information technology, cybersecurity, manufacturing and related fields.

The events are part of the College Outreach Program, an industrywide initiative led by PSA, the Security Industry Association (SIA) and the Foundation for Advancing Security Talent (FAST). The program connects students with security professionals through campus events, career fairs and classroom presentations to introduce career opportunities and strengthen relationships between educational institutions and the security industry.

“As someone who was a first-generation college student, I understand how challenging it can be to navigate education and career options without a clear picture of what opportunities are available,” said Mary O’Sullivan, head of learning and development at PSA.

O’Sullivan said the events aimed to show students that the security industry offers career paths for people with diverse interests and educational backgrounds, including opportunities in technology, engineering, manufacturing, sales, marketing and education.

The Oct. 15 event welcomed 15 students studying engineering, public safety and IT, while the Oct. 20 session brought together 51 manufacturing students. Both events featured panel discussions with professionals representing security technology manufacturers, consulting firms, sales organizations and other industry segments.

O’Sullivan moderated both panels, giving students the opportunity to learn about career experiences, professional development and the range of roles involved in securing buildings and protecting people.

Panelists included Rebecca Bayne, president of Bayne Consulting; Joshua Cummings, executive vice president of technology at Bosch Building Technologies; Justin Campo, regional sales manager at LanRep Group; Bryce Clark, of ASSA ABLOY’s Sales Trainee Educational Program; Chris Staniforth, president of ALC Consulting; Jeremy Harnden, strategic A&E consultant manager at Gallagher Security; and Michael Schmitz, Rocky Mountain service center manager at ASSA ABLOY.

ASSA ABLOY representatives Exiquio Marquez, aftermarket business development representative, and Stacy Molenda, integrated solutions specialist, also participated.

Student feedback indicated that the events helped connect classroom learning with real-world industry experience. In CCD’s post-event survey, all 16 respondents said the event they attended was valuable to their career development, giving the experience an average rating of 4.5 out of 5.

Additionally, 94% of respondents said they learned something new about a career pathway or the industry. All respondents reported gaining networking contacts or resources and feeling better prepared for their future careers.

Students also reported a stronger understanding of how security technology helps protect people and facilities. One participant described gaining a better understanding of how technology can strengthen security and help people feel safe.

Other takeaways included the importance of building professional networks, communicating with employers face to face and pursuing internships and industry certifications. At least one student had already been contacted about job openings following the events.

The partnership builds on PSA’s efforts to strengthen relationships with educational institutions and develop the next generation of security professionals. The College Outreach Program began as a joint commitment between PSA and SIA, announced at PSA TEC 2024 by PSA President and CEO Matt Barnette and SIA CEO Don Erickson.

The initiative initially produced a security industry career guide and has since expanded to include school partnerships and a nationwide network of industry volunteers.

The CCD events also grew out of an earlier effort to sponsor college students to attend PSA TEC. Participants included students from CCD, Metropolitan State University of Denver, Emily Griffith Technical College and Pickens Technical College. Those experiences demonstrated the value of direct industry engagement and led to additional programming tailored to students’ fields of study.

“The security industry is facing a significant labor shortage, and that challenge will become more pronounced over the next five years if we don’t take action,” O’Sullivan said. “By connecting with students early and showing them the breadth of opportunities available, we can help build the workforce our industry needs while supporting students as they transition into their careers.”

O’Sullivan added that partnerships with educational institutions can also help change perceptions of the security industry by demonstrating how its technology and professionals work together to keep individuals, buildings and communities safe.

PSA encourages security industry professionals and organizations to participate in future College Outreach Program activities. Denver-area professionals interested in supporting local student engagement can contact O’Sullivan, while professionals nationwide can learn more and sign up to volunteer through the program’s Get Involved page on the FAST website