Business student to EMT...

[wjd]

I am 20 year old full-time college student currently majoring in Business Administration at a 4-year university. I'm in the process of actually speaking to potential employers and realizing what my career will be like, and I'm not liking the idea of doing this for the rest of my life (shallow small talk, networking with people I dislike, working at a desk).

I want to be in a career that keeps me engaged and excited every day to actually help people in a tangible way. The EMS field appeals to me because I would not be stuck behind a computer monitor, but actually out in the world helping people with real problems. I've always been interested in the medical services/public service sector.

Salary is a less important factor for me. I want to be doing something I truly enjoy even if it means less money. My dad has always told me he regrets not doing what he loved, although I don't think he would fully understand my desire to change career from a profession to vocation.

So, I still want to graduate with a B.S. in Business Administration (30 credit hours remaining until graduation) and become an EMT-Paramedic in North Carolina.

What would be your advice for the best way to go about that? First steps? Any similar situations out there?

Thanks!

 

[NomadicMedic]

Get your EMT and volunteer on a squad to see if you like it any better than the business world. Here's a hint: a lot of what we do is small talk with the not so sick patients were taking to the ED. If you're not comfortable with establishing one on one relationships quickly, this may not be for you.

If you DO like EMS, then by all means pursue an additional degree as a medic and go for it. The business degree will come in handy when you get tired of night shifts, getting puked on and dealing with fibromyalgia frequent flyers.

I'm kidding.

Sort of.

 

[wjd]

Thanks for the response! I should clarify that I'm not particularly averse to small talk itself. I think it would be interesting to talk to a large variation of the population every day, versus talking to supply chain managers about cost control, asset utilization etc...

What would be the best/most efficient way to get the EMT-B as a current student? And is it usually required in order to volunteer?

 

[CFal]

See if your college has a student EMS squad. Get your degree, it will help you down the line

 

[J B]

What would be the best/most efficient way to get the EMT-B as a current student? And is it usually required in order to volunteer?

You may be able to take the course as an elective at your college. Failing that, you may be able to find it offered as a night class somewhere, and squeeze it into your schedule. You could also do it over the summer. I did a "boot camp" and got the didactic part done in about a month of 9-5 class, took the tests, jumped through the hoops and was good to go by the end of the summer.

Contact some ambulance companies near you and tell them you're considering becoming an EMT and would like spend some time being a 3rd rider. Some places will be jerks about it and tell you they don't allow people to do that and you're stupid for asking, but some places will encourage you to do it.

Finish your degree with the best GPA you can muster, to keep open the option of PA or medical school if you decide you want that down the line. If you have any electives left, consider taking anatomy+physiology, chemistry or biology instead of a BS easy class.

 

[terrible one]

Just realize an extremely small (probably around 5%) make EMS a lifelong career. So stay in school and get your degree. After the excitement wears off and your tired of low pay and poor working conditions you can move into another line of work, wether it's medical or something else.
Oh and stay in NC! It's one of the few states with progressive EMS systems and good third service providers.
Good luck