Creed Emerson is a law professor.
That sort of occupation would seem rather sedate for a man who would, in the course of several recorded adventures, go up against some very unpleasant people and for the most part win. However, teaching criminal law to a bunch of first-yearers is what Emerson does at the time we first meet him. It was most certainly not what he did for several years beforehand.
Emerson is described succinctly in an early passage: "His rugged features drew admiring stares from the women around him, as did his blue eyes and sandy hair. At six-two, two hundred pounds, Creed was in excellent shape for a forty year old." These women mentioned, though, were the very young new students and not close to being old enough to interest Emerson. He was there to teach and they were there to learn. The role of teacher was a calm, safe job and after the years of not very calm and certainly not safe work, Emerson enjoyed it.
According to the information given, Emerson had graduated at the top of his class in the law school at UCLA. That was followed by a much sought after starting position with a prestigious and large law firm in L.A. As stated, "He enjoyed trial practice, but disliked the law firm administration, the idea that billing was the top priority, and the routine. Creed yearned for more excitement."
After not that long sitting behind a desk, Emerson applied to the FBI thinking its work would be far more interesting and rewarding. "Somehow, an offshoot of Homeland Security, the American Protection Agency (APA) got a copy of his application. They convinced him to come in for an interview and hired him on the spot, at double what the FBI offered." A year was spent in that organization's rigorous training program and then came the field.
"His assignments carried him across the United States and abroad. Rarely was there a dull moment. The APA had almost unlimited jurisdiction. It was organized to fight terrorism. However, like other federal agencies, it expanded beyond the original intent of its founders. Creed was involved in many cases where his superiors felt that 'national security' was at stake. After ten years with the APA, Creed was their top agent. He caught or eliminated more enemies of the U.S. then he could remember."
His final mission convinced him that it was time to step away from that work. He was getting up there in years and had the scars and aches to prove it. Something more sedate was definitely called for so he said his goodbyes and took up teaching.
Excitement had not said so long to Emerson, though.