Looking for some advice....

S

Scope00

Forum Ride Along
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Looking for some insight from some of the wiser folk on here.... I am conflicted with what to do with regards to employment... I've got a few choices, and am unsure which direction to go! So why not ask complete strangers...

Job 1 -Flight Paramedic. Really :censored::censored::censored::censored:ty location. Rural small town, with low pay. But the job is pretty sweet, with very good protocols, and the program appears to be put together pretty well. When I'm not in the helicopter I would be working in the ER/on the code team in the airway role on nights/weekends (when there isn't anesthesia in house) for a large hospital.... GREAT job, :censored::censored::censored::censored: pay/location.

Job 2 -Paramedic in a really awesome city (SF). Not a 911 job, but living in the city makes it worth it, really easy medic gig considering the protocols are a very restrictive in terms of what a medic can do. The sole reason to take this job will be to live in SF, where I should mention I know a bunch of people, so in terms of social life it would be wonderful...... Mediocre job, :censored::censored::censored::censored: pay, wonderful location.

Job 3 -Working in a middle eastern country that's somewhat safe, on a fly car as a medic. In a very busy 911 system with a ton of trauma (average 8 fatal mvc's a day), but they doesn't have too much in the way of protocols... The pay here would be excellent (80K tax free), with EVERYTHING paid for (flights, housing, insurance, food, etc). So kinda crappy location/great pay/okay job.

Job 4 - No offer in hand yet unlike the other jobs, but they have indicated that I'm a competitive candidate. Flight Paramedic, doing RW/FW. Working in the hospital when not flying, but the protocols are a bit more restrictive. In a good city, with a live able salary (although nothing to write home about). So good job, okay location, okay pay.....

My end goal is to be a PA, and that's a whole separate path that I am undertaking regardless of which one of these I pick. I should mention I'm a 25 year old male, who is single with no dependents. Any insight would be appreciated from the wiser folk here ;-).
 
Monetarily, research the costs of living. SF can leave you impoverished or living in a cardboard box walk-up.
Job 1 looks good. But don't quote me!;)
 
I should have put this in the post, but for Job 1 the cost of living will be the same as living in SF (due to an oil boom). In the end I will be able to save the same amount of money working in either SF or the Flight Medic job.
 
1 or 4. Just know how fricken dangerous those 2 are.

If you are getting crappy pay the city doesn't matter. ESPECIALLY in CA, because everything is so expensive. And CA EMS sucks!

1 looks like your best bet. You will be happy from the sounds of it. I would jump on it.

3 I think would cause burn out. Seeing so much tragedy and have no one to come home to at the end of the day.

Just my $0.02
 
How lucky you are to have so many choices and not have a family to worry about! My answer will be based on that for the most part. Job #1,2,4 all sound like decent jobs, but they are jobs that you can probably land almost anywhere, anytime. Job #3, you have a chance to go to another country, see some awesome trauma, and live for free while making a huge amount of money! Do you plan on having a family one day? If so chances are you should sew your oats now, I am sure you won't want to drag the wife and kids to the middle east. You would be able to save money for a home, improve your skills, save money for when you are becoming a PA, and may not be able to work full time. You will meet some amazing people, and make a huge difference. You may be able to help them write new protocols.

Then you can come home to a job like 1,2,4 (maybe with better pay, benifits, because of your better skills) or as a PA, and start a family. All with money in the bank, unless you party it all away and don't save any.
 
Another vote for job #3. If you have the chance to go and be immersed in another completely different culture, go and do it.

I've never worked in the Middle East, so take this for what it's worth. I have bounced around a little in other places. I'd suggest making an effort to learn as much of the local language(s) as you can, both before you go, and while you're there. Try and learn about the culture. Be ready for some real loneliness, and a period of adjustment after the initial excitement that might last for 6 months - 1 year. And just try and remember that just because the new culture you're exposed to is different to your own, doesn't mean it's wrong. Remember that you're a visitor / guest, try and take a humorous approach to any cultural faux pas you may commit, and be willing to adapt.

Also, just from what I've heard from friends and other people here, I'd be prepared for the possibility that the job conditions may not be exactly as advertised, and that some of these gigs tend to be very temporary as company's change hands, and contracts run out.
 
Job #2....non 911 medic? what type of job would it be? SF is an awesome city, and I totally understand that just that alone, would be a selling point...knowing what that job would offer, would that make you happy long term?

Job #3...."somewhat safe middle eastern country"? ....uhmm no.

Me personally, not knowing what exactly job #2 would entitle you to do, I would have to say Job #1 at this point...

There are SO MANY people looking for jobs at the moment, if you have a "for sure" opp, figure out pros and cons quickly and TAKE IT!!! Good Luck!!
 
Dubai, UAE, Oman OK. Saudi Arabia and Iraq not safe IMO. Kuwait unknown.

Can you PM the area of #1? Sounds like Southwest Texas sorta.
 
Rocketmedic40 said:
Dubai, UAE, Oman OK. Saudi Arabia and Iraq not safe IMO. Kuwait unknown.

Can you PM the area of #1? Sounds like Southwest Texas sorta.
Click to expand...

Can't PM but it's not in TX... The overseas job is in one of the places you said is okay. I'm not overly concerned about safety.
 
EMTSTUDENT25 said:
Job #2....non 911 medic? what type of job would it be? SF is an awesome city, and I totally understand that just that alone, would be a selling point...knowing what that job would offer, would that make you happy long term?

Job #3...."somewhat safe middle eastern country"? ....uhmm no.

Me personally, not knowing what exactly job #2 would entitle you to do, I would have to say Job #1 at this point...

There are SO MANY people looking for jobs at the moment, if you have a "for sure" opp, figure out pros and cons quickly and TAKE IT!!! Good Luck!!
Click to expand...

That's the problem when you get three offers in hand..... Luckily they all gave me time to pick.
 
You're in a pretty sweet situation there my friend. I can only hope that I get the opportunity to pick and choose what I want to do and where I want to do it!

I personally would pick #3. Like others said you don't have any family to worry about or take care of, take advantage of that while you can!

Probably not worth much but I'm in a similar situation and around your same age, just a little younger. If I could swing it I'd love to work a stint overseas. Especially for the deal you specified.

With that said #1 is pretty awesome as well. The HEMS and Hospital combo of work would be cool. Just add in a CCT truck for when the choppers down because of the weather and you're good to go.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
HEMS jobs are probably equally as dangerous as the middle east. But,,,, if you're not concerned with safety then I guess that doesn't factor in. Not sure which I would go with if I were you, maybe overseas so you can pocket some change?
 
terrible one said:
HEMS jobs are probably equally as dangerous as the middle east. But,,,, if you're not concerned with safety then I guess that doesn't factor in. Not sure which I would go with if I were you, maybe overseas so you can pocket some change?
Click to expand...

Honestly, I think the "danger" is probably the same of working on a regular ambulance with crazy people. The ability to pocked a large amount of money is a nice thought.
 
Anjel1030 said:
3 I think would cause burn out. Seeing so much tragedy and have no one to come home to at the end of the day.
Click to expand...

I think this is something you should really consider. Having a support system is needed especially if you're looking at 8 fatal MVC's daily. Add on top of that the stresses of being in a foreign country.

With that said I think #3 is a great opportunity and not just because of the money. The life experience will be something few over here will ever have.
 
nwhitney said:
I think this is something you should really consider. Having a support system is needed especially if you're looking at 8 fatal MVC's daily. Add on top of that the stresses of being in a foreign country.

With that said I think #3 is a great opportunity and not just because of the money. The life experience will be something few over here will ever have.
Click to expand...

That's something I forgot to add. The travel will be pretty sweet.
 
Option 3

First post here, but at least it is something of value.

I grew up in the middle east from age 5 to 12.5. The ME is nothing like anything else in the world, and is a huge adventure. Europe is next door and the rest of it is a hop and a skip away.
That being said, I now have a huge perspective in life experience and very exotic experiences which many people will never experience.
I would highly recommend going overseas, BUT first you should read Paramedic to the Prince. I just finished it ironically, and it is about a dude who takes a Paramedic gig in Saudi, and ends up as the Para to the Saudi ruling Prince. Excellent read as it shows all he deals with culturally, etc.
Yes, there is tons of MVAs, as they drive like insane morons, but it is a fatalistic society. Check out YouTube clips of them drifting.
The experience will be priceless, the nurses mostly english or australian, (excellent!), and the pay is very good. You can become very well off, or blow it like an addict in Vegas. Your choice.
As for the other 3 choices, you can always pursue those later, and you are only 25 once. Once your married as I am, your option to pursue awesome go to very slim, and you will max out on boring but stable occupations.
Have fun now, learn a ton, make a ton, and live a ton.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me at any point.

Phil
 
Job #3 definitely! Go while you are young and put some money away. Gain tons of experience you can leverage into a better job upon your return. If you eventually plan on PA or MD then #3 is the best way to go. All the others are just biding time, not building your resume or experience level beyond any other smuck. Good luck :-)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top