For many years I taught college. I taught in the Deaf Studies program at 2 colleges in California. I did some consulting for a University there as well. I designed an entire curriculum for one college and was a Department Chair for a short time before I resigned to do the mommy gig. I taught Deaf Culture, Linguistics of American Sign Language, Dactylology, Interpreter courses and all levels of American Sign language. I loved teaching.
It seemed like a perfect fit for me to match my love of teaching with my love of guns as well as my personal experience with a bad guy, but it appears I misinterpreted how that was going to work. I could teach the NRA classes, but I don’t think that is what I want to do, so I have decide to go back to school and become a paramedic.
For months now I have been talking to my husband about taking some EMT courses and maybe volunteer at the local fire department, but our fire department is pretty messed up, so that was ruled out We have a really good program here that is condensed for certification, but as we did research into different programs, I thought why not just get a degree and take a longer program.
When I started down the path of gun ownership it never occurred to me to teach or have any career at all, but as things have developed I think I would like to have a skill related to my interest. Now, I know being a paramedic isn’t really a gun career, but it’s a skill that I think will be helpful to my family, my community and those I spend time around. I have always been interested in medicine and one can never have too many skills. I do not know how it will all work out or even if it will, but I am just going to jump in and give it a shot. Wish me luck.
I don’t know why blogger is highlighting my post and adding in links. I am tired of changing the words. I am working on getting a different blog and tossing blogger to the curb. Sorry about the inconvenience.
Go with WordPress. You can set it up on your own server if you want (I use 1and1.com) or you can use the WordPress servers.
Plus, Google no longer allows you to see gun related shopping items. Always returns ‘no results’
Screw ’em.
On your blog and hosting AGirl, if you want to migrate or are even thinking about it, bump me an email.
I’m more than happy to help you set it all up. If for some reason I cannot host your blog, which I don’t know why I couldn’t, I know a couple other bloggers that could.
It’s not too terribly difficult to set up, and actually with WordPress it’s actually down right simple and easy. There’s a reason I switched last month.
As for the EMT gig, that’s on my list of stuff to do when I have the extra time and money. I want to kill off significant portions of my debt first though. If you have questions, I’d say hit up Kelly. He lives in both the EMT and Gun Blogger communities and is actually an awesome guy from what I’ve heard and read.
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Thanks. Email sent. I will hit up Kelly!
I took an EMT-B class & I love it. It was tough because I had never done anything other than basic first aide. I have only been riding with the volunteer rescue squad a short time, but it is very rewarding. I eventually hope to get a job with the EMT certification in a hospital.
Good luck!!!!
Hooah! Very cool. Best of luck to you. First Responders are vitally important. I look forward to following your progress.
Indeed they are. Thank you Monty.
Good luck! You’ll do great on your new path
You are very sweet!
You can do anything that you set your mind to do.
I appreciate the vote of confidence!
Very cool!
Thank you:)
It’s a big jump to start a new career with a family but it can be done.
I know. It is. We shall see…
WOW! You never cease to amaze me! Go for it!
And good luck!
PS – I changed to WordPress after 1 year with Blogger. It has it’s own headaches, but seems better…
guffaw
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Good luck… I think you’ll find your choices… similar to my wife and mines… tend to involve around personal interaction and helping others… whether it would be teaching, nursing, training, or even being a paramedic…
My brother-in-law is a paramedic/firefighter for the City of Toledo, Ohio and it has been a very satisfying career… plus your medical skills are more valuable from my prepper’s mindset…
Wishing you the best…
Dann in Ohio
Thanks Dann!
Taking some EMT/medic courses myself this fall. Strictly for personal knowledge not makig it a career. Actually looking into midwife certification as well as some teaching at the junior college level.
Good luck I know you’ll be great at anything you do.
Cool. We can compare notes:)
If you haven’t already, I would recommend reading Neil Strauss’ book, “Emergency!” Strauss describes his personal journey from music critic through the world of expats, prepping and personal-safety training(including some very cool training trips to Gunsite and urban/wilderness survival schools) to becoming a CA Civilian Emergency Response Team member and EMT – he states that as he became more skilled, he became less afraid and more willing/able to help others. I can’t help but see the parallels between his story and yours…
Awesome! You’ve got our prayers!
Your continual support and prayers is what ai awesome! Thank you!
Go for it! Having seen so many in action, not to mention them picking up my broken carcass off the streets more times than I care to remember, I love, LOVE me some EMTs. I’m always happy when someone I respect decides to take that path. There’s always a need for good people in that field. Take it from someone who has worked closely with many paramedics, it’s a great job and chock full of great folks. If I can help, even if just to give you some encouragement, please contact me.
Your belief in me is humbling and your offer to be an encouragement means so much. Thank you!
From Eric in Texas (and an EMT-B):
Good luck!
Eric, thanks!
You are going to rock this girl!
Thank you so much!
EMS is a really hard way to make a living, particularly if you don’t work for a FD. Pay is low, work is physical and hours are long, and your patients are having of of the worse days of their life. If has a very high burnout rate.
Get the EMT or AEMT, but don’t jump into a full PM program without spending time working as an EMT, preferably in a fairly high volume area.
The first two are just a few classes a week plus a test, the PM program is more of a lifestyle for at least a year, with rotating clinical shifts etc. Typically 40+ hours a week. Don’t start it without having a really good idea what you are getting yourself into. Watch the PMs, are they happy? How many have been working there or as PMs in another service for 2 or 5 or 10 years?
I am fortunate not to have to focus on money or a full time position. My goals are not about that, but thank you for the advice.
Posted too soon sorry. Watching the others in the field is a good idea. I am taking a course probably next month and then another after that. If all goes well, I will start the program in the spring.
I am not tied to anything, but again thank you!
DO NOT STOP teaching. I believe that reaching new goals and adding to your skill set is a good thing and I know no matter how difficult something is you can and will succeed at it, but DON’T stop teaching. I know first hand how good you are and it would be a huge loss to so many people. A lot of people can benefit from what you have to offer. Bill
Not quiting. Just not sure how much opportunity I will have to teach, so I want to look at other things that both interst me and provide a way for me to contribute.
I don’t know if I will make it through or if it will ended up being what I want to do, but I am going to try. If I fail, so be it, I won’t know until I give it a shot and who knows, I just might succeed.
Thank very much for the kind words and vote of confidence.
Eric in Texas again:
Given your history, you might be interested in this development:
“Ukrainian Students Develop Gloves That Translate Sign Language Into Speech”
http://techcrunch.com/2012/07/09/enable-talk-imagine-cup/
Huh, very interesting. That you for posting that. I will be interested to see how it progresses.
Emergency medical skills and skill with weapons really aren’t that different. They enable you to respond appropriately to an emergency. Basic survival skills fall into that mix as well. Change the tire on your car, perform CPR, start a fire in the rain or shoot an assailant: all fundamentally are skills which allow you to deal with what life throws at you.
Teaching others skills you have learned, and will learn, to deal with life’s foibles certainly seems a worthwhile and worthy undertaking.
Good luck.
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Okay, you need to start reading http://ambulancedriverfiles.com/ as well. Kelly is great people, who really gives some solid insight into the field. Having grown up around a firehouse, and been an EMT myself for a while, I’ll tell you it is at the same time the best and worst job in the world. It’s not for the faint of heart, but the people that do it truly love it.