Have you been a career EMT/Paramedic and if not what did you do first?

[ViolynEMT]

Violinist in a symphony and opera orchestra as well as playing shows with celebrities that come to town and need an orchestra. I still do this. Trying to juggle both.

 

[captaindepth]

I worked as commercial diver for 5yrs in the GOM before moving to EMS. Worked as an EMT-B full time for 1.5yrs (in a busy 911 system) before going to paramedic school. So glad I got the EMT experience prior to tackling pramedic school, it went a long way.

 

[redundantbassist]

I'm a 19 years old, fresh out of high school. Got my EMT cert during my senior year, got my EMR/CFR/ whatever you want to call it during my sophomore year. I'm probably going to pursue a career in law enforcement after I get my life organized.

 

[johnrsemt]

I worked in Retail electronics as a sales person and then a manager for 13 years; got into EMS as a Volunteer as a way to destress from my FT work; enjoyed it so much that after 4 years I quit retail and went to work at a FT Private service, kept at the fire department PT

 

[cruiseforever]

Worked at the family business until it was sold. Was on the local volunteer Fire/EMS department for 10 years. Became a paramedic 25 years ago. It's a rare day I do not want to go to work.

 

[Emergency Metaphysics]

I was a journalist. I fell like an old man getting into EMS at 36 with plans for medic school. Oh well, better late than never, right?

 

[Mantis Toboggan]

Im currently in paramedic school finishing up AAS degree. The students in my class are a pretty diverse bunch in terms of age and experience—for many, EMS will be their second career. As a college student, I was previously pursuing degrees in philosophy and sociology before my sudden transition into EMS. Now, I am decisively med-school bound.

 

[Joey DeMartino]

Not too late yet. Started in the fire service in '77, worked a couple of years on a medic unit, joined a shot crew and kept fixing booboos'. Did some gov. stuff - but stayed in the fire/ems field ever since. Headin' for 6 months of seasonal fireline medic and 6 months surfing and reverting back to my troubled youth. At my age I gotta' grab it before the pine box grabs me. 36yo is an old man huh?!

 

[MkVity]

Not too late yet. Started in the fire service in '77, worked a couple of years on a medic unit, joined a shot crew and kept fixing booboos'. Did some gov. stuff - but stayed in the fire/ems field ever since. Headin' for 6 months of seasonal fireline medic and 6 months surfing and reverting back to my troubled youth. At my age I gotta' grab it before the pine box grabs me. 36yo is an old man huh?!

Your only just starting life it gets way more exciting now

 

[Joey DeMartino]

With guys like you around- it'll only get better. EMT-Basics on this site are as good as if not better than the medics I broke in with. Pretty humbling but definitely encouraging to us of the geriatric persuasion.

 

[Burritomedic1127]

Worked as a lifeguard, lobsterman, and at a surf shop prior to cutting my medical teeth. Took a wilderness first responder course to work as a ski patrol (snowboard patrol cough cough) and then that's where I made the mistake of working on the bandaid bus ha

 

[emschick1985]

Management in retail. Got tired of the same ole thing everyday and wanted to do something my kids would be proud of me for. Then once I realized I did not wanna be a shoe saleswoman forever, I hit college and never looked back!

 

[roninwarrior]

First got EMT when I was 18, did a lot of volunteer EMS/Fire. Got into computer science stuff and didn't like my job. Decided I'd rather make much less money doing something I enjoy. Be finished Paramedic in a few months. 33 year old career change...

 

[MkVity]

I work in the Music industry at a TM/Personal level! EMS is in my family's blood so have finally stopped resisting and will following in my Fathers footsteps now. Looking forward to embracing the journey..

 

[usmarine]

I'm new to working EMS (I start next week) although I've been in emergency services since 2010 kicking in doors. It's definitely going to be a change but I'm sure that some things may be the same.

 

[PeacefulIce]

Thanks for all the replies!

EMT/Paramedics are a diverse bunch from the looks of it! Glad to know I'm not the only person who couldn't figure out what I wanted to be when I grow up!