Based on experience of friend’s son, I’d advise against EMT. Pay is very low, especially for such a well educated guy. The guy mentioned loves his work as EMT on rescue helicopter, but the low pay ($14/hour?) makes it hard to support a family. He is considering retraining to become a nurse.
It doesn’t work that way.
To become a paramedic, one must take and pass EMT-B training plus the national licensing exam. Next, one must take and pass AEMT(Advanced EMT–formerly called EMT-Intermediate) training and pass a national licensing exam. Finally, one must take and pass paramedic training, which is a 2 year long program and grants an associate degree, then pass the 2 different national licensing exams (cognitive and psychomotor–knowledge and practical hands-on).
All licensing must current before one is allowed to move on to the next level. If licensing has lapsed or was earned prior to 2016 (when national licensing requirements changed), then the individual must take & pass a requalification class first, then take & pass the national licensing exam.
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then work for outdoor education companies, which I'm thinking is the way to go.
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D2's BF spent 2 years interning with NOLs after he had completed their leadership program (which costs $$$$) , but wasn't hired on as a full time staffer (almost no one is). He has been an a trip leader and NOLS trainer for them since then. The work is very sporadic and trip leaders are paid by the trip so if you're not leading, you're not getting paid. There are few or no winter trips so it's not a good source for a steady income.
(BTW, BF still leads trips for NOLS in the summer. He earns $1000-$3000/trip depending on how long the trip is.)
Post NOLS internship, he was a outdoor education teacher at a private 6-12 school . The first year he worked there, he was an UNPAID intern. The second year he was considered a half-time teacher and was paid accordingly. He led 6th through 12th graders on a variety of outdoor trips ranging from day hike in the adjacent National Forest to 2 week long multi-state climbing and backpacking trips. Minimal classroom instruction.
AFAIK, this particular private school's outdoor ed program is a rarity. When BF relocated to another western city known for its outdoor life (because that's where D2's medical residency program is), he wasn't able to find another outdoor ed teaching position because none of the local private schools offered any.
BF has given up finding another outdoor ed job and is working on completing his pre-reqs for PT school. The key part of the OP is that he’s 28. He sounds smart; he’ll figure it out.
@WayOutWestMom , thanks, for the in-depth information. I did try to elaborate further up thread about the rash EMT to Paramedic statement I made. My son has said that you can be hired by companies that support their employees through the multi-step process while they work, and that’s what I was ineptly referring to. And, thanks for the information about the outdoor education jobs. I knew that it was tough but you paint a really clear picture of the realities.
I have been with him through a lot of twists and turns, but I can’t really get into this one. My stomach lurches and my head spins. He’s got to do whatever he’s got to do, and he’ll have to make it happen himself.
Correction - looks like average paramedic salary is higher than I stated (most states around $20/hour)
https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/What-Is-the-Average-Paramedic-Salary-by-State
I understand your frustration.
The BF is also 28. He has an environment science degree which he has never used. I had been pretty worried about this relationship because D2 has always been a very focused student and she’s now doctor, while her BF–while definitely smart and a really nice person–just didn’t have clue about “what he wanted to be when he grew up.”
He only decided last spring that maybe PT (with a sports medicine focus) was his calling. He now works at a day job selling outdoor sports equipment while also working 10 hrs/week as a PT assistant and going to night school to take his pre-req classes.
So if the BF can finally figure it out, so can your son.
I have faith that most people eventually find their way. We parents want to help but we can’t really do that.
This quote from Carolyn Hax is pretty awesome:
“Anytime you push someone to be successful you are basically calling that person a failure. From a teacher/coach/boss this can infuriate, encourage or inspire. When it comes from parents/friends/partners it can make you want to stop taking their calls. These are the people who love you, and being judged… puts that love on a merit system. “You’d be perfect if …”
Back away. Back far away from “helping” a 28 year old find his way.
As an aside, we have a close friend from college (late ‘70’s early 80’s) who very slowly grew his life into becoming a world renowned expert on bears. He has not made a lot of money, but has traveled (paid to give lectures) around the world and has written extensively on this very niche subject. He is not rich, but has seen more of the world than anyone else I know. Just retired from the US park service.
Nobody would have predicted that trajectory for him. I don’t think he would have, either.
Many of us have kids or SO’s of kids who are slower to launch than we might wish. One of my kids is still finding her way at 30. My 32 year old just took an unpaid 1 year leave of absence from his full time job. Fortunately neither has any dependents at this time.
I appreciate all your input! I feel so much better. He is very capable, and there are many paths he can take, it’s his life and he has to take it in hand.