Interview Questions for college project

[STLK606]

I really have no idea how to get a hold on someone working in such a busy profession for some silly college project interview. Thought I'd just post the question here and hope that someone will take the time to bother answering them.

They're simple questions. Feel free to elaborate as much about your experiences.


1. Why did you decide to work in this field?

2. Did you have another career before you went to school to become a _________? What was it like to change from one career to another?

3. Where did you go to school for this job? What was the hardest part of school for you?

4. What is a typical workday like? Do you have a lot of overtime? (If yes, How is overtime scheduled? Do you have enough notification so you can adjust your schedule at home, etc.?)

5. Do you work under a lot of pressure in this job? (If yes) Can you give me an example of a typical high-pressure situation?

6. Is there a lot of take-home work in this job? (If yes, Do you ever find it hard to turn-off work at home and enjoy a personal/family life?)

7. What kinds of professional development opportunities are there in this field? Can a person move up in this career?

8. Do you see this field as growing and expanding? Can you give me examples of why you think this is happening?

9. Is this a secure field? Can you give me reasons why you think this is true?

10. Does this job give you the challenges you need to stay interested in this field?

11. Do you see yourself doing this job for the rest of your work life? Why (or why not)?

12. I am a person who needs a lot of action on a job. Does this career field provide that for a person like me?

Thanks in advance, really.

 

[Veneficus]

I am assuming you are talking about EMS

There are many different types ofpeople here who are interested in it. Including nurses and doctors.

I really have no idea how to get a hold on someone working in such a busy profession for some silly college project interview. Thought I'd just post the question here and hope that someone will take the time to bother answering them.

They're simple questions. Feel free to elaborate as much about your experiences.


1. Why did you decide to work in this field?
Fire department I was working for made me become an EMT to keep my job

2. Did you have another career before you went to school to become a _________? What was it like to change from one career to another?
I was a firefghter
3. Where did you go to school for this job? What was the hardest part of school for you?
First, EMT class was taught at the fire department, then I went to college for the rest.

4. What is a typical workday like? Do you have a lot of overtime? (If yes, How is overtime scheduled? Do you have enough notification so you can adjust your schedule at home, etc.?)

I work about 80 hours a week, sometimes more. That has not changed since my EMS days when I needed 3 jobs to pay the bills.

Sometimes you volunteer for OT, sometimes you are volunteered for it. Inevitably, if you have plans, you will not get out on time.

5. Do you work under a lot of pressure in this job? (If yes) Can you give me an example of a typical high-pressure situation?

Depends on what you call pressure. I would call it routine punctuated by short bursts of excitement.

6. Is there a lot of take-home work in this job? (If yes, Do you ever find it hard to turn-off work at home and enjoy a personal/family life?)

I live my job. I cannot leave it. I have even had people waiting for me at home.

7. What kinds of professional development opportunities are there in this field? Can a person move up in this career?

In EMS, there are few advacement opportunities or lateral transfers. The really motivated eventually hit a glass ceiling and move on to other related careers. Sometimes you find an employer like a large FD or third service that offers such, but they are rare and competition is high.

8. Do you see this field as growing and expanding? Can you give me examples of why you think this is happening?

No, I see it contracting. Economic problems coupled with lack of industry self advancement will continue to drag EMS down to basic labor wages.

9. Is this a secure field? Can you give me reasons why you think this is true?

Depends on where you work and how much seniority you have.

10. Does this job give you the challenges you need to stay interested in this field?

No, after a few years you master this field. In order to advance yourself you must move on.

11. Do you see yourself doing this job for the rest of your work life? Why (or why not)?

My career has been a journey. I will continue to work in a related field. I thought I would work in fire and EMS all my life, but my ambition was too great.

12. I am a person who needs a lot of action on a job. Does this career field provide that for a person like me?

No.

Thanks in advance, really.

 

[NYMedic828]

1. Why did you decide to work in this field?
To be promoted to firefighter

2. Did you have another career before you went to school to become a _________? What was it like to change from one career to another?
Union Carpenter. Best move I ever made.

3. Where did you go to school for this job? What was the hardest part of school for you?
FDNY has their own school. My moronic classmates.

4. What is a typical workday like? Do you have a lot of overtime? (If yes, How is overtime scheduled? Do you have enough notification so you can adjust your schedule at home, etc.?)
3-5 jobs usually half will be BS. Overtime if willing to travel the city for it. Set schedule.

5. Do you work under a lot of pressure in this job? (If yes) Can you give me an example of a typical high-pressure situation?
Not really... do my job and do it well I get left alone.

6. Is there a lot of take-home work in this job? (If yes, Do you ever find it hard to turn-off work at home and enjoy a personal/family life?)
Not unless I catch something...

7. What kinds of professional development opportunities are there in this field? Can a person move up in this career?
Supervisor. Not really.

8. Do you see this field as growing and expanding? Can you give me examples of why you think this is happening?

Id hope so, but not at the moment. People are not willing to better themselves if it requires even the slightest effort.

9. Is this a secure field? Can you give me reasons why you think this is true?
Depends on your employer. For me, yes very.

10. Does this job give you the challenges you need to stay interested in this field?
It has given me the desire to further advance in the medical field some day. I would never stay as an EMS worker for the rest of my days.

11. Do you see yourself doing this job for the rest of your work life? Why (or why not)?
Yes and no. In my later years I plan to retire to work as an RN/NP when I get there.

12. I am a person who needs a lot of action on a job. Does this career field provide that for a person like me?
Rare occasions, otherwise routine stuff.


Thanks in advance, really

 

[Tigger]

I really have no idea how to get a hold on someone working in such a busy profession for some silly college project interview. Thought I'd just post the question here and hope that someone will take the time to bother answering them.

They're simple questions. Feel free to elaborate as much about your experiences.


1. Why did you decide to work in this field?
I always wanted to be an EMT, and I have found it to be a useful way to experience healthcare. I also enjoy helping others and all that fun stuff.
2. Did you have another career before you went to school to become a _________? What was it like to change from one career to another?
I am a full time college student as well. Before working as an EMT I worked at a garden store and power equipment dealer driving a pickup full of mowers or snowblowers. It was nice to have driven something bigger than my Subaru before the ambulance.
3. Where did you go to school for this job? What was the hardest part of school for you?
My college offered a half credit EMT course, I did at two nights a week for a semester. Balancing my degree work and EMT coursework could be a struggle, as the EMT stuff was frankly often more interesting.
4. What is a typical workday like? Do you have a lot of overtime? (If yes, How is overtime scheduled? Do you have enough notification so you can adjust your schedule at home, etc.?)
I work mostly ten hour day shifts. The whole shift is spent in the ambulance with my partner. We run 4-6 calls a shift, the rest of the time is spent posting. Most calls are non-emergent transfers from home to facility or facility to facility. I probably get an emergency once every third or fourth shift, but I knew that I wasn't going to be some super-EMT running multiple stabbings and cardiac arrests a shift. Honestly it's usually pretty mellow, which I like and is why I pick up as much OT as possible. OT is done through a computer scheduler, if there's an open shift you just click it and it's yours. Being per-diem I can adjust my schedule weekly.
5. Do you work under a lot of pressure in this job? (If yes) Can you give me an example of a typical high-pressure situation?
Not usually, as mentioned life is mellow at work. Driving is probably the highest pressure situation, as a mistake could end up in a serious accident or at least being fired. Psych calls at people's homes can be somewhat high pressure before the police and medics arrive.
6. Is there a lot of take-home work in this job? (If yes, Do you ever find it hard to turn-off work at home and enjoy a personal/family life?)
My friends and family think what I do is interesting, and I'm happy to share my EMS experiences but I don't go out looking for an audience.
7. What kinds of professional development opportunities are there in this field? Can a person move up in this career?
Paramedic is really the top end of development at this point. In terms of advancing your career, being a medic is the biggest step. A promotion to supervisor could be too, but there are precious few of them. The lack of "move up" potential explains why so many leave EMS for other parts of healthcare where opportunities exist.
8. Do you see this field as growing and expanding? Can you give me examples of why you think this is happening?
As the population gets older, EMS call volume will increase. However I don't think the field is growing, we're still stuck in the 80s with our educations, treatments, and operations.
9. Is this a secure field? Can you give me reasons why you think this is true?
There will always be EMS, but unless the barrier to entry rises, do not expect a secure job with good wages. These jobs exist, but you'll have to work to get one.
10. Does this job give you the challenges you need to stay interested in this field?
Yes, but only if you challenge yourself. It's certainly possible to clock in and clock out and never challenge yourself and get by fine.
11. Do you see yourself doing this job for the rest of your work life? Why (or why not)?
No, I plan to go to PA or Nursing school as I am already pursuing a four year degree.
12. I am a person who needs a lot of action on a job. Does this career field provide that for a person like me?
Even EMS run in the most run down city or the biggest mountains will be full of non-emergent calls. Some calls are exciting, most are not.
Thanks in advance, really.

3char.