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So I know it's been awhile since I have been here, but I just had life take a HUGE turn, not for the better, and need to vent.
So for those who have seen my previous blogs, I am a firefighter emt, and I love my job. The department I work at is not where I want to stay. But they pay me, pay for my schooling, and work around my school schedule, it's perfect. My plan has always been to apply for jobs at big departments where I want to have a career at, and can just ride on an engine or truck, no ambulance, until I get all my classes done for paramedic school. If I don't have a job by then, I go to paramedic school for a year, and come out with my AA in Paramedicine and will look even better to jobs I want to work at.
Well I just heard that unless something huge happens between now and monday night, both the schools I put my app in for for paramedic, might be cutting their EMS programs after this year. The nearest places are 3 hours away and have different requirements. To go to paramedic school I would have to leave this job which is perfect for being a student, move, HOPEFULLY find a job that I can support myself off of while still going to an insanely intense program, and go into debt with student loans, and add another year of schooling on top of all of that to meet those schools requirements. Then if I can get all that and get my degree and certs, get back into the industry.
This put's me at odds, because getting a fire job with just your EMT in the PNW is not impossible by any means, but it's much harder, especially a good paying one. I have strong interview skills and the places I have applied for I have always ended at the top of the list, just not in the top 50 or so. For those unfamiliar with the fire service, it is VERY competitive. For example I just finished going through the Seattle Fire process. After everything, I was rank 500 out of 1000 that they put on there list. I was told 6,000 applied for it. I look on the positive side that I finished 500 out of 6,000 at the second place I applied for ever outside of the place I work currently. And am going through a testing and interview process at about 6 other departments right now.
So having my paramedic would open up ALOT of jobs for me, and make me more appealing, but adding 2 more years of school, destroying the life I have now, and putting myself into debt seems crazy when I could spend those 2 years having a job, saving money, and just focus on applying for places.
So I guess I am just at a loss as to what I am going to do. But I need to pick one fast because I need to get the ball rolling and be moved, enrolled in one of those schools, and hopefully have a job by the fall. And I am worried about financial aid due to my father has a very high paying job, so I have been turned down in the past. I am 23 now, 24 in november, so maybe I am old enough to not be listed as ineligible for financial aid.
Well TL, what are your thoughts? I am always looking for different perspectives on everything I do in my life so I can try and see it from all angles, so any and all comments are very appreciated.
Also I have kept up with my writing, so might add a few more blogs from past stuff!
 
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I don't have any good suggestions off the bat (sorry) but that really sucks. I never knew the fire service was so competitive honestly.
Kinda looks like you don't really have a choice though when it comes to attending a different EMS program. I guess all you can do is try to mitigate the crapiness if nothing happens by Monday.
Have you talked to management at work to ask if they have any suggestions or can help you with the job side of things?
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Not yet, I was planning on waiting until the word is final until I bother them with this. I guess I could move somewhere with a volunteer department and see if I can live there for free and respond to calls and what not (this is pretty common) so I don't have to worry about rent at least. Right now with moving, I am curious as to what will happen to my union status, and in this job, you can retire with full benefits after 25 years, so I am curious if that would carry over to my next union job, or start over. Starting over wouldn't be terrible as I am still young and only 2 years in to that, so I could deal with it I guess. This has really been a kick in the pants about my grades. There is a school I could go to that is in a place i used to live with friends there, but they require a 3.0, and since I was pretty much guaranteed in at one of these 2 schools, I never cared about my grades as long as I passed.
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i always feel bad when i read blogs from americans concerning education
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On April 27 2014 05:37 teddyoojo wrote:
i always feel bad when i read blogs from americans concerning education
Education is a bitch
<-- Canadian
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Germans have transcended this primitive conception of "distance" that you speak of. They are far more advanced than you can comprehend with 100% of your brain.
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Canada and the States have different systems and saying Amercia is too ambiguous. When he says Americans it's implied over here that your talking about citizens of the United States. That's how it is. It would be folly to say everyone else because each country has a different system AND does that mean you're talking about Mexico too? What about South America or Central America. So please YouthSC don't confuse the two, lmao.
In fact, there are differences between provinces in CANADA as well, i.e. Quebec has CÉGEP. Also depending on the line of work they have different criteria as well.
Now to address the OP. I'd finish your EMT because in the long-run it will pay itself off. My brother went down a similar path as you. The EMT is well worth it and he's been a fire fighter for three years now.
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Russian Federation1016 Posts
First of all, good luck with all your beginnings, no matter what path you choose.
Secondly, the things regarding family are a bit different here in Russia than in US. The parents try to help get the education to their children and even support them after the age of 18. You've mentioned your father... Could you work out the agreement between you two, rather than going to the bank for a loan? I know (I'm 24) at this age people want financial independence and it is weird ask you parents for money, but if it keeps you rolling and achieve success in future, who cares?
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On April 27 2014 23:04 IAmWithStupid wrote:
I know (I'm 24) at this age people want financial independence and it is weird ask you parents for money, but if it keeps you rolling and achieve success in future, who cares?
Yea that's a good point. Guess I might have to swallow my pride and ask. I just always prided myself on making my own way in life and not becoming another spoiled doctors kid.
On April 27 2014 10:10 StarStruck wrote:
Now to address the OP. I'd finish your EMT because in the long-run it will pay itself off. My brother went down a similar path as you. The EMT is well worth it and he's been a fire fighter for three years now.
I have my EMT and Advanced EMT. Now I would be getting my Paramedic, which is a huge jump in patient care, and responsibility on me. Plus I may get stuck on an ambulance, where I love it, but know for sure that is not where I want my career to be. Thanks for the advice man, I really appreciate it.
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On April 27 2014 08:35 Jerubaal wrote:
Germans have transcended this primitive conception of "distance" that you speak of. They are far more advanced than you can comprehend with 100% of your brain.
Easy. He relates to the costs not to the distance. I don't want to argue which system is better and don't want to go into too much detail, but over here the worst(!) that could happen for the op is basically a zero interest loan to finance any further education. Most of the time it's basically free and if not it's way cheaper than in the states. Even if you have to pay, there's lots of support. For stuff like this, fire fighter education, there's schools in every country (bavaria, etc.) the least, with housing and a cafeteria for cheap or included e.g.
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EPT
