Recently, a friend called me to talk about her son who is going to university next year. Every now and then she comes to me with questions about high school, university applications, etc. Perhaps because I must be one of the few people that she knows that has gone through it recently. Although, it's been over ten years since I graduated from high school.
From the many conversations, I know she is a pretty open-minded mother. She's never been one to force her son into doing things and always tries to open up conversation with her son and ensure they communicate. There have been times when she's said things and I wished my own mother could be as open minded as she is. Of course, that's not entirely possible, because this person is closer to my age than to my parents' age.
Her son is interested in sports, sports medicine, physio, and the like. I really couldn't comment much on that. Nobody I know has really made it very far down that path. Most took a turn somewhere along the way. Then again, I do have clients in that area who seem to be quite successful.
She then went on to tell me her son also showed some interest in becoming a paramedic.
Of all things, it had to be this. My opinion on this is probably biased, but I still told her what I thought.
It's hard.
Medic work requires a very specific set of skills and is very physical. It's mentally and physically tiring. Depending on the area where you work, you could be in dangerous situations. It's really not as easy as some people think it is. On top of that, a lot of people treat you like sh*t.
The part I didn't tell her was my part - looking on at someone you care about going out there as a medic...
The only good part is I'm proud to say I know/knew a medic. They do important work and I have a lot of respect for what they do. At the same time, for every shift, it makes me worry. It really is not very different from a police or firefighter. Are you out in the long, cold, wintry night? Or on the side of a dangerous highway? Or facing off with some crazy person? Every time, I worry whether or not you'll come back safe.
If that's what he really wants to do, I would support it. It's important to find something that you love and are passionate about. But, if not, don't go down that route, because you will make your loved ones worry.
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