Reasons I didn't become an EMT, ranked
A software engineer shares their personal journey and the barriers they faced while deciding whether to become an EMT. The author discusses the challenges of training, industry culture, and the demographic makeup of the emergency medical services field.
Why it matters
It provides a realistic look at the barriers to entry for essential public service roles and highlights cultural issues within the EMS profession.
I’m an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician).
My main job is software engineering, but I’ve always been interested in medicine. A friend turned me onto the idea in college, and it rattled around my head for years. I delayed for a long time — until finally, in 2024, I took a month off and got my EMT.
Here are actual reasons I delayed getting my license , sorted loosely by ridiculousness:
Yes; my accelerated class ( NOLS Wilderness EMT ) took 28 consecutive days. I was only able to take the class because Microsoft switched to unlimited vacation, my boss was great, and I had the money to fly to Wyoming for the course (the usual alternative is a semester of night school!). And to be a good EMT, you have to actually take calls on an ambulance, hopefully more than the typical “1 weekend a month” minimum.
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