Many people go through life in the wrong careers. (Perhaps you’re one of them). 

But, of course, there are always opportunities to change. You don’t necessarily have to stick in your existing career for years without ever feeling fulfilled. 

One of the most popular career changes is becoming a first responder. Not only is it one of the most exciting jobs out there, but it’s also among the most rewarding, especially for people with a certain type of personality. 

Why Becoming An EMT Might Be Perfect For You

There are all sorts of reasons why becoming an EMT might be the right choice for you, but we’re only going to focus on a few of them. Once you understand these, you’ll be in a better position to figure out if you should go down this path. 

First, first responders are people who make a difference. When you come across a patient, you’re often the first person on the scene, and you have to take decisive action quickly, often to save their lives. 

You could be responding to car accidents, crime scenes, or just people who’ve collapsed in the supermarket. When you’re the only person they have to save their lives, you suddenly become the most important person in the room. 

Then, of course, there is the dynamic work environment. You’re constantly in new situations, whether natural disasters or accidents on the road. You never know when your skills will be needed. 

That’s why a lot of people treat an EMT scholarship opportunity as a vocation. It’s not about the money, but the chance to do something really important in society, setting it apart from most standard careers. 

At the same time, you can also benefit from strong job stability. EMTs can usually enjoy long-term contracts and lifelong careers, since the likelihood of AI automation is incredibly low. Furthermore, the benefits and compensation are usually pretty good, leading to relatively high full-time pay, even with basic training. Yes, there are risks involved with the job and that explains the slightly higher rate of pay, but they are often worth it to individuals who are committed to serving their communities. 

Key Skills And Traits You Need

If you want to be an EMT, you’re going to need various key skills and traits. These are critical for facing high-trauma situations and loss. 

For example, you’re going to need emotional resilience. Some of the things that you’ll see in the field will be horrifying, but you need to find a way to deal with them internally. This isn’t necessarily a skill that will come with the job, but a personality trait that you’ll need to look into. 

You’ll also require substantial physical fitness. Becoming a paramedic requires being able to move around, climb, and sometimes run, depending on the situation. It’s not a sedentary job when every second counts. 

Finally, you’ll need training and certification. This process usually takes between six months and two years, depending on the course and the depth of the training.