I kind of did this in reverse lol. I was an EMT on private ambulance for 5 years, went to paramedic school, then dropped out and became a software engineer. Coming from the other side, I can definitely relate to the experience of delaying something you want to do for reasons that, in hindsight, were mostly irrational.
OP: I've wanted to be an EMT for a long time, but I made excuses for years. I wanted to share some of them with y'all; maybe they resonate with you, or inspire you to do something you've been putting off.
Hey this is awesome! I’ve also always wanted to do EMT work but gravitated more toward software in college. I really related to all these reasons. Especially the feeling coming up more when I’m dissatisfied with work. The main reason I delayed was because if I’m going to do it, I want to be a good care provider and it seems really hard to keep the skills sharp if it’s just volunteer part time. How do you balance keeping the skills sharp while working another job full time?
Also, I’m 38, so I tend to feel too old. But I just started a part time program at a community college. Worst case I just learn some interesting skills.
Anyway, thanks for writing it. It’s good know I’m not just crazy wanting to do part time EMT work and keep my software career. I kind of feel like an idiot sometimes when other people ask me why I’m doing it.
You've got it exactly- learn a skill and why not? I'm a VC and founder and I also just passed my NREMT last month. Am I going to work as an EMT? No. But I'm proud of the skills.
Like OP and others, it would be great if there were better volunteer opportunities in big cities. Lmk if you want to start something.
How about: raging PTSD? A former buddy of mine had that like crazy, and apparently it's rampant in the profession (of course it is!).
Also, they (BC Ambulance) treat you like garbage when you need assistance, and effectively force you back to work or to go find a job elsewhere.
It's shocking how badly we treat the people that willingly take on life's hardest challenges (for low pay, I might add). It's amazing any are even left after all that BS.
There has to be a toll seeing people suffer probably one of the lowest points of their lives, seeing kids die, seeing brutality like that where an EMT is warranted.
Going on a slight tangent, I wanted to do the same thing but with firefighting instead. One thing I've found is that a good portion of your time is supposedly spent doing fundraisers
My dad liked to tell me about cadaver college because I gag at the thought or sight of gore and that's kept me working on trees, cars and computers and not humans
The work seemed to suit him, he enjoyed it. I'd hang out with him at his base of operations (he was a private paramedic in LA County).
Then, one day, he quit.
He quit, and didn't renew his certification.
And he won't talk about it, and, boy, yea, did he have some stories.
But something got to him.
Because worst-case, you might enjoy it.
Also, I’m 38, so I tend to feel too old. But I just started a part time program at a community college. Worst case I just learn some interesting skills.
Anyway, thanks for writing it. It’s good know I’m not just crazy wanting to do part time EMT work and keep my software career. I kind of feel like an idiot sometimes when other people ask me why I’m doing it.
Like OP and others, it would be great if there were better volunteer opportunities in big cities. Lmk if you want to start something.
Also, they (BC Ambulance) treat you like garbage when you need assistance, and effectively force you back to work or to go find a job elsewhere.
It's shocking how badly we treat the people that willingly take on life's hardest challenges (for low pay, I might add). It's amazing any are even left after all that BS.
As a former PTSD therapist, there's a lot more overlap between these two than you might expect.
Often (not always, some people are great suppressors) the worst thing you can do as a trauma survivor is continually avoid the source of trauma.
You probably pay the cost.