Making the jump from Cubicle to Ambulance

[Mindfield]

Hi everyone,

I am a 26 year old male and have been working various white collar jobs since graduating with my B.S. in Business 3 years ago. I have become increasingly restless and unhappy with these types of jobs, and have been considering a career switch (if you could call it a career this early in the game). Sitting at a desk and making a pretty spreadsheet doesn't make me feel like I'm challenging myself or attaining anything, even though my jobs look great on a resume and the money is pretty decent for my age. But I'm the type of person who would rather have a great job helping people than piles of money, so trying my hand at being an EMT has become kind of a fixation of mine.

I was wondering if anyone else made the switch, especially in the Los Angeles area, and what their experience was. I know already of how to obtain my EMT-B through weekend classes at UCLA, I'm just looking for some feedback from people who did something similar.

Also, any idea on what I can expect in terms of pay working for a private ambulance company in the LA area?

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[MusicMedic]

Hi everyone,

I am a 26 year old male and have been working various white collar jobs since graduating with my B.S. in Business 3 years ago. I have become increasingly restless and unhappy with these types of jobs, and have been considering a career switch (if you could call it a career this early in the game). Sitting at a desk and making a pretty spreadsheet doesn't make me feel like I'm challenging myself or attaining anything, even though my jobs look great on a resume and the money is pretty decent for my age. But I'm the type of person who would rather have a great job helping people than piles of money, so trying my hand at being an EMT has become kind of a fixation of mine.

I was wondering if anyone else made the switch, especially in the Los Angeles area, and what their experience was. I know already of how to obtain my EMT-B through weekend classes at UCLA, I'm just looking for some feedback from people who did something similar.

Also, any idea on what I can expect in terms of pay working for a private ambulance company in the LA area?

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks!

First of all Welcome to the site

i used to work at an office job for 2 years and i absolutely hated it, but before you make the switch make absolutely sure you will be committed, and dont quit your job until you actually secured a job offer as an EMT, unfouruntaly with this economy, there is an Influx of EMT's in CA, for every spot open there is about 15-20 EMT's trying to fill it.

911 Ambulance jobs pay usually pay Minimum wage to about $9.00/Hr some maybe a bit more, but usually you will be working 2-3 24-hour shifts a week

Transport Ambulance companies usually pay between $10-12/Hr,they usually have 8, 10, 12 or 24 hour shifts depending on the company

my recommendation is to call your local ambulance company, ask them if you can go on a few ride alongs so you can get the jist of what to expect. (and even get your foot in the door)

 

[looker]

Welcome to this forum. I have finance degree from local school and i can say i know what you're going through(i am not emt, paramedic or anything like that). I am in the process of opening my own ambulance company and doing my own research. I really do not know how people are able to live on $10-12 hour plus benefits in Los Angeles area. Unfortunately that is the going rate for entry lvl emt(with no experience). I understand that you are hatting your cubicle job but you do need to look at from financial side before you make a jump. If you have free time, go ahead and take classes at ucla and become emt. After that call up an ambulance company and see if you can work just weekends. That way you can see what it's like to be an emt without giving up your day job. If you like it, you can do it full time.

 

[rhan101277]

Hi everyone,

I am a 26 year old male and have been working various white collar jobs since graduating with my B.S. in Business 3 years ago. I have become increasingly restless and unhappy with these types of jobs, and have been considering a career switch (if you could call it a career this early in the game). Sitting at a desk and making a pretty spreadsheet doesn't make me feel like I'm challenging myself or attaining anything, even though my jobs look great on a resume and the money is pretty decent for my age. But I'm the type of person who would rather have a great job helping people than piles of money, so trying my hand at being an EMT has become kind of a fixation of mine.

I was wondering if anyone else made the switch, especially in the Los Angeles area, and what their experience was. I know already of how to obtain my EMT-B through weekend classes at UCLA, I'm just looking for some feedback from people who did something similar.

Also, any idea on what I can expect in terms of pay working for a private ambulance company in the LA area?

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks!

I am in the same boat, except I am in telecom and have already completed EMT-B back in Fall of 2008. The EMT course is challenging, but nowhere near the challenge of paramedic class. I am currently in second semester paramedic school with graduation approaching in August.

I believe with a the regular schedule which always includes overtime I can make about $46K as a medic here where I live. Still a pay cut but I can work more hours if I want. Our schedule is 24 on 48 off, so you work 5 days out of 14 instead of the old white/blue collar 10 out of 14.

I say go for it, but keep your day job all the way through class, its tough but it can be done.

 

[TripsTer]

If you're looking for good pay as an EMT, unfortunately you aren't going to be satisfied. An on-going struggle with the EMS service is the low pay that it entails. Either you're going to have to be a Paramedic or go into Fire IMO.

 

[EMTCLM]

Don't have much to contribute to this, sorry. Thought I'd say hi back though, so welcome!^_^