I guess I should add that I am not even an EMT yet.. I am entering the EMT certification training in the Fall so I'm as "green" as they come. This will be a complete career change for me. If anyone has any input for someone just starting out in school, I'm all ears. Should I complete the EMT and then take a job as an EMT (as if it is that simple)? I appreciate your input!
First, EMT is where you discover if EMS is the thing for you. Some people can pass the class all day long, but they're not right for the job, and some people are right for the job, but can't pass the class. You may discover that you do or don't have a passion for EMS. You might also discover whether you have more of an interest in caring for people, rescuing people or simply the science behind basic medicine or emergency medicine. Some people leave EMT school with the desire to become Nurses, Doctors, Paramedics or PAs, some people are more interested in fire and are taking the course because they are required to. Some people find they are interested in a certain type of rescue and decide that they want to be a really good EMT and that they want to focus their learning on a particular type of rescue. Regardless, a good EMT of any sort, be it EMT-Basic or EMT-Paramedic, places value on continuity of learning. Never stop the learning process.
Secondly, there are a lot of people who will tell you that you need to work as an EMT before paramedic school, and there are some that will say that you don't. Either way, you should realize that EMT and Paramedic school build knowledge, but working the job builds experience. Experience is equally as important as knowledge. If you don't work as an EMT before medic school, you will learn all of your "experience" while doing hundreds of hours of clinicals and ride-alongs. So, you won't be a complete idiot, and you might be better off than someone who volunteers as an EMT, who may not get hundreds of hours of patient contact in a year or two, but it certainly won't be the same as working as an EMT for a while before school.
I went straight from EMT to Paramedic school and then started my first job in EMS after I was a paramedic. About 1/3 of people working have a big problem with that. It's usually very experienced EMT-Bs who have a problem with that. I try to stay humble and ask questions, lean on their experience and then do an excellent job whether I'm doing advanced or basic work or mopping the floor.
If you have your head screwed on straight and you can stay humble, you can do it without working as a basic before Paramedic school, although, I wouldn't advise it. If you have the opportunity to work as an EMT, you should. You should experience what you like in EMS before deciding whether you want to do P-school. Either way, stay humble, ask questions and stay focused on whatever your goals are.