STR | SocalTrailRiders.org

Zippy · 03-17-2008, 02:44 PM

I'm a college student...a 32 year old undergraduate majoring in Biochemistry at UCSD. The plan is to go to school after my Bachelor's to learn how to become a Physician's Assistant. In a former life I was a Paramedic on an Ambulance and managed to land a job with a major metropolitan fire department. No offense to Firefighters, but I simply did not fit in with the guys working there and decided it was time to do the school/PA thing.

While working as a Paramedic for nameless Ambulance company, I sent my resume in to the Air Ambulance company in the region as a way to get out of the Ambulance and into something more long-term, yet still doing what I loved: helping people and saving lives.

Today they (Mercy Air) called me and they want me to interview for a position locally that starts April 7th (!). I still have a year of my undergrad left, but I've had my resume in with this company for THREE YEARS. Now I have an opportunity to do something I've always wanted to (since I got my 'Medic license) but I might not get to thanks to school, which I'm NOT enjoying at the moment.

The decision is this: stay in school, finish my degree and try to get into PA school. OR screw the degree for the time being, do the Flight Paramedic thing (look COOL doing it) and finish the degree/PA thing later.

I could really use some help deciding. I can go either way with this, but I'm totally rudderless. HELP!?

Zippy (A.K.A. Eric)

slowSSer · 03-17-2008, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zippy

I'm a college student...a 32 year old undergraduate majoring in Biochemistry at UCSD. The plan is to go to school after my Bachelor's to learn how to become a Physician's Assistant. In a former life I was a Paramedic on an Ambulance and managed to land a job with a major metropolitan fire department. No offense to Firefighters, but I simply did not fit in with the guys working there and decided it was time to do the school/PA thing.

While working as a Paramedic for nameless Ambulance company, I sent my resume in to the Air Ambulance company in the region as a way to get out of the Ambulance and into something more long-term, yet still doing what I loved: helping people and saving lives.

Today they (Mercy Air) called me and they want me to interview for a position locally that starts April 7th (!). I still have a year of my undergrad left, but I've had my resume in with this company for THREE YEARS. Now I have an opportunity to do something I've always wanted to (since I got my 'Medic license) but I might not get to thanks to school, which I'm NOT enjoying at the moment.

The decision is this: stay in school, finish my degree and try to get into PA school. OR screw the degree for the time being, do the Flight Paramedic thing (look COOL doing it) and finish the degree/PA thing later.

I could really use some help deciding. I can go either way with this, but I'm totally rudderless. HELP!?

Zippy (A.K.A. Eric)

zippy aka eric:

I sent this to a friend of mine who is a local transfer nurse and also does the flight paramed stuff- hopefully he'll chime in and steer the rudderless.

Do Work · 03-17-2008, 02:52 PM

I say you go with the flight paramedic thing...Dude-it took 3 years to get a call back on this one!!!
How great of a pick up line would that be..."I save lives and get to ride on a helicopter!!!"

bighit8 · 03-17-2008, 02:55 PM

Sounds like you are really into the air paramedic thing, you can always work and try to continue school. If you decide you do not like the job you can always go back to school.I say go for it.ya may not have another chance.I have been looking into silverstate Helicopters to get a piolts liscense.

Zippy · 03-17-2008, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bighit8

Sounds like you are really into the air paramedic thing, you can always work and try to continue school. If you decide you do not like the job you can always go back to school.I say go for it.ya may not have another chance.I have been looking into silverstate Helicopters to get a piolts liscense.

DON'T DO IT! My best friend worked his way up through their ranks and was a flight instructor until they went BANKRUPT. He's now left with 70k in loans and not enough flight hours to be emplyed as a pilot. He's now working on his class A truck driver's license to pay back his loans and maybe get back into flying. I'd avoid Silver State until after they re-organize.

Abui · 03-17-2008, 02:59 PM

No contest. School will always be there, the job opportunity is a one-time chance. Do what you'll love to do.

GOGrannyGO · 03-17-2008, 03:02 PM

Being a gravity junkie like most here:
We need more air evac's. ...or less.

I HATE to see them, unless of course they're coming for ME. Then it's probably the greatest sight in the world. <knock knock>

But go for the air ambulance, and I hope to never see you in action.

bighit8 · 03-17-2008, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zippy

DON'T DO IT! My best friend worked his way up through their ranks and was a flight instructor until they went BANKRUPT. He's now left with 70k in loans and not enough flight hours to be emplyed as a pilot. He's now working on his class A truck driver's license to pay back his loans and maybe get back into flying. I'd avoid Silver State until after they re-organize.

Oh thanks, it was that 70,000 loan that was holding me back.That and job openings.

DeeZee · 03-17-2008, 03:06 PM

Work and go to school.

In my previous life I had a degree in electronic tech and later went back to school for a degree in executive management.

Do both if you can

Zippy · 03-17-2008, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeeZee

Work and go to school.

In my previous life I had a degree in electronic tech and later went back to school for a degree in executive management.

Do both if you can

Can't. They want me full time for a year before I can change my status to part-time, which would give me the schedule flexibility to attend classes. I might simply take a year off school and then go back and finish up. Thanks for the idea, though.

mtbmichael · 03-17-2008, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zippy

but I might not get to thanks to school, which I'm NOT enjoying at the moment.

i dont know too many people who love biochemistry.

bighit8 · 03-17-2008, 03:19 PM

O chem is a sure fire way to age you by ten years.

mtbmichael · 03-17-2008, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bighit8

O chem is a sure fire way to age you by ten years.

why did you have to remind me? i have an ochem final tomorrow morning.

Shu · 03-17-2008, 03:32 PM

Zippy I was a SSH student in Chino...did your buddy instruct out at Gilespe(sp?) Whats his name?

Zippy · 03-17-2008, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtbmichael

why did you have to remind me? i have an ochem final tomorrow morning.

I have a P-Chem final at 11:30. Wanna trade?

CalEpic · 03-17-2008, 03:45 PM

I'll be the contrarian. Don't sacrifice school for a job no matter how compelling the offer. Before you know it you're making decent money and the debt to use it up, making the choice to resume your education a difficult one.

DangerSlave · 03-17-2008, 03:47 PM

I was in a similar situation about 5 years ago. I was 32, and had to make a decision to leave a steady job to go into a finacially risky construction job. I had a wife/mortgage/kids to think about. "If there's no work, you don't work. You don't work, you don't get paid." A good friend and trusted advisor said "Jump". I work for the same GC and I got my own contractors license last April. I wouldn't have it if I had stayed at the old job.

I don't know what your life situation is (married? kids? mortage? debt?) but as long as the jump isn't plain irresponsible on your part, I say "Jump". You are young enough to land on your feet if something didn't work out. School will always be there.

I always feel wierd giving advice to people I don't know (especially when it could be life altering), but you asked. If it doesn't work out, I will refund what you paid me for my advice.

Good luck Zippy!!!

katonk · 03-17-2008, 04:01 PM

If you wanna be cool, stay in school

bobcat38 · 03-17-2008, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zippy

I might simply take a year off school and then go back and finish up.

Seems like you have your answer already.

92se-r · 03-17-2008, 05:30 PM

My fiance and several friends have biochem, bio, bioengineering degrees. If you want to make 30K when you graduate, then stay with it. It is a boring, non-rewarding career where the industry thinks you are a POS if you do not have a PHD. So if you plan on only getting your BS, get the hell out if you have an opportunity to have a dream job.

My fiance is doing well now because she got a lot of good experience and does really well at work. However, she is making as much as coworkers who have 20 years in the industry. She's basically topped out in terms of pay.

We all graduated from UCSD as well. Luckily I majored in something that actually pays. Good luck with your decision.

PS: I usually never tell people to choose a job over education. In this case, I highly recommend you not pursue bio. It is a shame to see people with a BS in a pretty tough major get crapped on like this industry does. It's sad when people with GED's selling cell phones make more than you with a BS. Keep in mind, when you graduate, you are competing with tons of other people with Bio degrees who thought they were "pre-Med". There is no such thing. "Pre-med" means you are planning on applying to medical school. NOthing more. And half the people at UCSD are in some sort of Bio major to get into medical school. When only 1% make it into medical school, you get stuck competing for jobs with the other 99% no talent assclowns who couldn't make it in.

03-17-2008, 02:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
Zippy Small, but Mighty	Rock and a Hard Place I'm a college student...a 32 year old undergraduate majoring in Biochemistry at UCSD. The plan is to go to school after my Bachelor's to learn how to become a Physician's Assistant. In a former life I was a Paramedic on an Ambulance and managed to land a job with a major metropolitan fire department. No offense to Firefighters, but I simply did not fit in with the guys working there and decided it was time to do the school/PA thing. While working as a Paramedic for nameless Ambulance company, I sent my resume in to the Air Ambulance company in the region as a way to get out of the Ambulance and into something more long-term, yet still doing what I loved: helping people and saving lives. Today they (Mercy Air) called me and they want me to interview for a position locally that starts April 7th (!). I still have a year of my undergrad left, but I've had my resume in with this company for THREE YEARS. Now I have an opportunity to do something I've always wanted to (since I got my 'Medic license) but I might not get to thanks to school, which I'm NOT enjoying at the moment. The decision is this: stay in school, finish my degree and try to get into PA school. OR screw the degree for the time being, do the Flight Paramedic thing (look COOL doing it) and finish the degree/PA thing later. I could really use some help deciding. I can go either way with this, but I'm totally rudderless. HELP!? Zippy (A.K.A. Eric) __________________ L8 APEKS: "Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups." Swim, bike, run. www.zippyathlete.blogspot.com Last edited by Zippy; 03-17-2008 at 02:46 PM. Reason: spelling

03-17-2008, 02:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
Do Work Eddie would go...	I say you go with the flight paramedic thing...Dude-it took 3 years to get a call back on this one!!! How great of a pick up line would that be..."I save lives and get to ride on a helicopter!!!" __________________ Strike First, Strike Fast, Strike Hard...No Mercy

03-17-2008, 02:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
bighit8 STR Veteran	Sounds like you are really into the air paramedic thing, you can always work and try to continue school. If you decide you do not like the job you can always go back to school.I say go for it.ya may not have another chance.I have been looking into silverstate Helicopters to get a piolts liscense. __________________ singletrack angel: is that a real hole Fred? Mtbnbikefred: Yes,I have stuck all kind of things in it.

03-17-2008, 03:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
GOGrannyGO Titaneous Member	Being a gravity junkie like most here: We need more air evac's. ...or less. I HATE to see them, unless of course they're coming for ME. Then it's probably the greatest sight in the world. <knock knock> But go for the air ambulance, and I hope to never see you in action. __________________ '06 Dawg Deluxe "It's f'n POSH, like Dave Beckham!"

03-17-2008, 03:06 PM	#9 (permalink)
DeeZee STR Veteran	Both Work and go to school. In my previous life I had a degree in electronic tech and later went back to school for a degree in executive management. Do both if you can

03-17-2008, 02:59 PM	#6 (permalink)
Abui On the edge of chaos	No contest. School will always be there, the job opportunity is a one-time chance. Do what you'll love to do.

03-17-2008, 03:19 PM	#12 (permalink)
bighit8 STR Veteran	O chem is a sure fire way to age you by ten years. __________________ singletrack angel: is that a real hole Fred? Mtbnbikefred: Yes,I have stuck all kind of things in it.

03-17-2008, 03:32 PM	#14 (permalink)
Shu Team Brittle	Zippy I was a SSH student in Chino...did your buddy instruct out at Gilespe(sp?) Whats his name? __________________ 07 Bionicon Golden Willow Rat Rod cruiser

03-17-2008, 03:45 PM	#16 (permalink)
CalEpic STR Moderator	I'll be the contrarian. Don't sacrifice school for a job no matter how compelling the offer. Before you know it you're making decent money and the debt to use it up, making the choice to resume your education a difficult one. __________________ ShinKen: OOhhh helLSS YEsS!~!!! JoeTruth: As far as I'm concerned, I could really care less. Just ride your damn bike and STFU already

03-17-2008, 03:47 PM	#17 (permalink)
DangerSlave Just pacing myself...	I was in a similar situation about 5 years ago. I was 32, and had to make a decision to leave a steady job to go into a finacially risky construction job. I had a wife/mortgage/kids to think about. "If there's no work, you don't work. You don't work, you don't get paid." A good friend and trusted advisor said "Jump". I work for the same GC and I got my own contractors license last April. I wouldn't have it if I had stayed at the old job. I don't know what your life situation is (married? kids? mortage? debt?) but as long as the jump isn't plain irresponsible on your part, I say "Jump". You are young enough to land on your feet if something didn't work out. School will always be there. I always feel wierd giving advice to people I don't know (especially when it could be life altering), but you asked. If it doesn't work out, I will refund what you paid me for my advice. Good luck Zippy!!!

03-17-2008, 04:01 PM	#18 (permalink)
katonk DFL > DNF	If you wanna be cool, stay in school __________________ I was told there would be no climbing.

03-17-2008, 05:30 PM	#20 (permalink)
92se-r STR Veteran	My fiance and several friends have biochem, bio, bioengineering degrees. If you want to make 30K when you graduate, then stay with it. It is a boring, non-rewarding career where the industry thinks you are a POS if you do not have a PHD. So if you plan on only getting your BS, get the hell out if you have an opportunity to have a dream job. My fiance is doing well now because she got a lot of good experience and does really well at work. However, she is making as much as coworkers who have 20 years in the industry. She's basically topped out in terms of pay. We all graduated from UCSD as well. Luckily I majored in something that actually pays. Good luck with your decision. PS: I usually never tell people to choose a job over education. In this case, I highly recommend you not pursue bio. It is a shame to see people with a BS in a pretty tough major get crapped on like this industry does. It's sad when people with GED's selling cell phones make more than you with a BS. Keep in mind, when you graduate, you are competing with tons of other people with Bio degrees who thought they were "pre-Med". There is no such thing. "Pre-med" means you are planning on applying to medical school. NOthing more. And half the people at UCSD are in some sort of Bio major to get into medical school. When only 1% make it into medical school, you get stuck competing for jobs with the other 99% no talent assclowns who couldn't make it in. __________________

STR | SocalTrailRiders.org

Your Southern CaliforniaMountain Biking Community

Your Southern California
Mountain Biking Community