I was a volunteer that was around quite a bit, and knew several of the emts that worked for the paid 911 service I applied to. They put in a good word for me and a couple of them wrote letters of recommendation for me.
Simultaneously, an active duty enlisted USAF fire dept crash rescueman, and a private mostly-IFT company (1977).
First emergency medical role was first aider/dockhand (not EMT) at a resort lake, even local vollie FD didn't have training above ours and real medical help was about 45 min away. (1972)
Sports medicine intern for a division 1 hockey team. EMT is a requirement for the position, but I do not act as one very often. I do whatever my ATC boss wants me to, to include taping, wrapping, splinting, stretching, wound care, and some basic gen-med stuff. I'm slowly becoming proficient in more in depth assessments as well.
I volunteered at the local rescue squad, and my first paid job was at a private IFT place. I continued volunteering, and got a 911 a couple of years later when I was done with school.
Because I trolled this site and learned a ton and became the bestest EMT in the East
Started as a volunteer
First and only paid EMS gig is the current one for the PD, but i was already a LEO there and was put "in charge" of the EMS division they formed when they volleys dried up